3. Steelers’ Defensive Line Takes Over the Game

The Steel Curtain is back and in full force on Sunday against the Texans.

The Steelers defensive line smothered the Texans running attack, allowing David Johnson to gain just 23 yards on 13 carries (1.8 yards per carry). They consistently pressured Deshaun Watson and forced him to scramble out of the pocket. Watson was sacked five times and hit a further 12 times; the Steelers finished the game with seven tackles for loss.

Linebacker Vince Williams had two tackles behind the line of scrimmage and now has eight tackles for loss on the season. Since 1999, no Steelers defender has had more within the first three games. Williams is tied for most by any player in the league in the first three weeks over the last 10 seasons.

The Steelers came into the game ranked first in the NFL in run defense and tied with the Buccaneers giving up just 2.9 yards per carry. In Week One against the Giants, they held Saquon Barkley to six yards on 15 carries. Houston tried everything in their playbook but couldn’t break down the solid wall up front.

“They’re a good run defense. We tried to work different schemes and really nothing worked,” Texans head coach Bill O’Brien said following the game. “We weren’t able to get to the edge. We weren’t able to get up inside too much.”

The Texans, meanwhile, had given up the third-most yards in the league, and their struggles stopping the run continued on Sunday. Houston allowed James Conner and Anthony McFarland to gain 6.3 yards per carry. The Steelers, who got back right guard David DeCastro after the former Pro Bowler missed the first two games with a knee injury, gained 169 yards on the ground.