NFL Monday Night Football Schedule & Predictions: Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers (POLL)
Week 7 of the 2014 NFL season is coming to a close, but luckily for football fans, one more game has yet to be played.
The Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers are scheduled to play each other on Monday, Oct. 20 at 8:30 p.m. EST on ESPN.
Surprisingly, despite both teams paying in the AFC, the Steelers and Texans have not played each other since 2011:
Houston Texans
The Texans currently find themselves 3-3 after six games of play, but they've lost three of their last four games. On the bright side, the Texans have already surpassed their win total from all of last season, which was just two.
Their No. 1 overall draft pick out of South Carolina, Jadeveon Clowney, has yet to play a full game. Clowney's status is listed as "questionable" for this game against the Steelers.
The Texans offense hasn't been very impressive, but former Harvard quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is playing average. In his first season with the Texans, Fitzpatrick has six touchdowns, six interceptions and is completing 65 percent of his passes.
Defensive end J.J. Watt is having an incredible season so far. Watt leads the Texans defense in sacks, interceptions and fumble recoveries. Linebacker Brian Cushing is having a productive season as well. Lately, we've seen running back Arian Foster look healthy and dynamic. Foster has rushed for more than 100 yards in four of his five games this season.
The x-factor player for the Texans in this game is DeAndre Hopkins. The 22-year-old wide receiver who was drafted in the first round last year has 366 yards and a team-high three touchdowns.
Pittsburgh Steelers
It hasn't been a very good start for the NFL team in the Steel City, but the Steelers are still very much in the playoff race. Just like the Texans, the Steelers are also 3-3 after six games of play. After this game, things don't get much easier for the Steelers. In Weeks 8 and 9, the Steelers have to face the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens.
The Steelers have a great rushing attack with LeVeon Bell and LeGarrette Blount. Bell has 542 rushing yards this season, second only behind DeMarco Murray of the Dallas Cowboys. Thanks to Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown, the Steelers' passing attack has been effective.
Although the Steelers have the pieces, they've been inconsistent. The Steelers have alternated wins and losses every single game this season so far. Last week, the Steelers lost to their AFC North rival Cleveland Browns, 31-20. With that loss, the Steelers dropped to 1-2 in divisional play.
Tight end Heath Miller will be the x-factor for the Steelers. The two-time Super Bowl champion usually plays well in prime time games. With constant double teams being put on Brown, Miller will have to make plays for the Steelers, especially in the red zone.
Schedule, Where to Watch
The Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers are scheduled to play each other Monday, Oct. 20, at 8:30 p.m. EST on ESPN. The game will be played at Heinz Field stadium in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Live streaming of the game can be seen on WatchESPN and at NFL .com.
Predictions
The Steelers don't have the "Steel Curtain" defense of the 1970s, but this squad should be able to get the job done. The Steelers know they can't drop to 3-4 in a tough division like the AFC North. The Texans are showing progress, but a lot of work is needed on offense. Playing at home will also help the Steelers.
Steelers win 23-17
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