Pittsburg, Pennsylvania:
It was a daunting task to travel into the cold and frigid conditions both on the field and in the stands. However, the Houston Texans rose to the occasion despite the lackluster performance from Texans’ quarterback C.J. Stroud to win their first playoff road game in franchise history beating the Steelers 30-6 and advancing to the AFC Divisional game against the New England Patriots this Sunday.
It was an off day for C.J. Stroud as he seemed off center with five (5) fumbles and an interception, yet he went for twenty-one (21) completion on thirty-two (32) attempts for two hundred and fifty (250) yards with a touchdown. Future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers had his hands full with the NFL’s number one defense with only one hundred and forty-six (146) passing yards with his last pass being an interception by Texans’ defensive back Calen Bullock who took it fifty (50) yards for a last nail in the Steelers chances for a win.
The two (2) offensive standouts for the Texans were running back Jo’quavious Marks who ran hard and aggressive with his best performance of the season with nineteen (19) carries for one hundred and twelve (112) yards and scored an impressive thirteen (13) yards run for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter to put his team in the lead 24-6. The Texans wide receiver Nico Collins had to leave the game with an concussion, yet it was Christian Kirk who stepped up for the best performance of his season with eight (8) receptions for a whopping one hundred and forty-four (144) yards including a six (6) yard touchdown reception in the second quarter to put his team in the lead 7-6. That score was locked in until early in the fourth quarter Texans’ place kicker Fairbairn kicked a fifty-one (51) field goal to put the Texans up 10-6.
The play of the game came in the fourth quarter when Will Anderson stripped the ball from Steelers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers and defensive lineman Shelton Rankins, after running over his opponent, took the ball and sprinted thirty-three (33), crushing the Steelers’ spirit.
The Houston Texans’ defense looked poised and physical with defensive back Jalen Pitre leading the team with five (5) solo tackles and two (2) assists and Shelton Rankins had a sack and a half along with his score. Defensive end Danielle Hunter had a sack with intimidation all game long.
The sign of an excellent team is not relying on just one star to take the team to the finish line. Clearly, Stroud had an off night, but the defensive side of the ball scored two (2) defensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter speaks volumes of this dynamic young team led by an enthusiastic and proven leader in the head coach DeMeco Ryans.
The Houston Texans travel to New England to take on the (14-3) New England Patriots, so read all about your hometown team in your hometown paper.