Steelers at Texans
THE STORY: The Houston Texans have not had any problem putting up points through the first three weeks and are about to get even more explosive with the healthy return of running back Arian Foster. The 2010 NFL rushing leader is apparently ready to go after sitting out most of the first three games with a balky hamstring. The Pittsburgh Steelers have bounced back nicely from their Week 1 shellacking in Baltimore but have not faced a running back with Foster’s ability since Ray Rice of the Ravens. The Steelers’ defense will be looking to prove itself when they visit Houston on Sunday.
TV: CBS, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: Texans -3.5, O/U 45
ABOUT THE STEELERS (2-1): Since allowing Baltimore to roll for 170 yards in Week 1, Pittsburgh has tightened the defense and surrendered a total of 128 yards on the ground the last two weeks. Still, the Steelers needed a last-second field goal to beat the Peyton Manning-less Indianapolis Colts 23-20 last weekend. Ben Roethlisberger is averaging 314 passing yards but might have to survive without linemen Doug Legursky (shoulder) and Jonathan Scott (ankle). Both are questionable. Roethlisberger threw three picks last Sunday and has committed eight turnovers in three games.
ABOUT THE TEXANS (2-1): Ben Tate is averaging over 100 yards per game in Foster’s absence and should continue to get carries as Foster is eased back into the lineup. Houston is coming off its first loss, a 40-33 setback at New Orleans. The Texans held two different fourth-quarter leads but could not execute a two-minute drill on their final drive. Matt Schaub passed for 373 yards and three touchdowns against the Saints and has posted a quarterback rating over 100 in two straight. Houston has outscored opponents 66-13 in the first half but has been outscored 47-24 after the break.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Steelers WR Hines Ward (11,819) needs 16 receiving yards to pass Don Maynard for 20th in NFL history.
2. In a Men’s Journal interview over the summer, Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison took a shot at Houston linebacker Brian Cushing, calling him “juiced out of his mind.”
3. Steelers receiver Mike Wallace has finished with over 100 yards in six straight games.