5 players to watch when the Steelers play the Texans
After what feels like a long week to wait for football (also paired with the hustle of the holidays) the Pittsburgh Steelers get back to business on Christmas Day as they travel to play the Houston Texans.
Will either stereotype of playing down to opponents or poor on the road come into play? If it does, these are the five players I feel you need to have your eyes on Monday afternoon.
Martavis Bryant
Bryant is no stranger to replacing Antonio Brown. Several years ago the wide receiver stepped in for AB when the latter went into the concussion protocol following a dirty hit by Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict.
Bryant stepped up his game then and has done so again recently. With Brown out for a short period of time, it will be on Martavis to fit into the mold everyone made of him when he returned to the league this offseason.
Last week’s deep ball threat and one-handed catch have convinced me this little bit of alone time with Ben Roethlisberger could be a great thing for the Steelers moving forward.
Joe Haden
He’s back!
Joe Haden returns from an injury suffered against the Colts shortly after the Steelers bye week. With about six weeks to heal up, will the cornerback exhibit any signs of rust?
Deandre Hopkins
It truly doesn’t matter who is throwing the ball to this Texans receiver: he still makes plays!
Hopkins has had too many quarterbacks to name throwing passes to him, and yet he continues to play at an All-Pro level: Matt Schaub, Case Keenum, T.J. Yates, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Mallett, Tom Savage, Brian Hoyer, Brandon Weeden, Brock Osweiler, and Deshaun Watson.
Now, do you think he’s still a big-play threat? (Yep.)
Jadaveon Clowney
The former first overall draft pick has been a load to handle for opposing offenses, piling up nine sacks over 14 games this season. A healthy Clowney has finally found his stride and has deflected passes, forced and recovered fumbles in the absence of J.J. Watt.
He’s even scored a defensive touchdown.
The Steelers offensive line could have their work cut out for them with Clowney lining up on the other side this week.
Ben Roethlisberger
He’s been on fire as of late, but the tarnish on Big Ben’s career is that he hasn’t played well on the road over the last few seasons. The Steelers still find a way to win, and I believe that Roethlisberger has worked all of the kinks out, but it still doesn’t change the stigma of playing this game at Houston, on a holiday.
That could factor in mentally with some players, but usually affects one the most: that’s why Ben will be one of the five to watch on Monday. Will he have a big game? A poor one? Or something in the middle?
