The Pittsburgh Steelers have only played the Houston Texans eight times. The original NFL franchise in Houston was the Oilers. For many years as part of the AFC Central division, the Oilers were great rivals to the Steelers. At the end of the 1998 season, the Oilers moved to Nashville to become the Tennessee Titans.
The Texans began playing in 2002 after Houston was granted a new NFL franchise at the cost of $1 billion.
The Steelers own a 5-3 record over the Texans with the last game played two years ago when the Steelers lost 30-6 in Houston. C.J. Stroud led his team to victory with two touchdown passes.
This season will be the ninth time the Texans have been to the playoffs in their short history. They have won six wildcard games but have never advanced beyond the divisional game.
With six Lombardi trophies, the Steelers have a long history of playoff success, but they have lost their last four wildcard games. 2017 was the last time they advanced to the divisional game.
Aaron Rodgers has a 12-10 playoff record with Green Bay. Rodgers led the Packers to five NFC Championship games with one Super Bowl victory. Unfortunately, that was Super Bowl XLV against the Steelers.
The Steelers have never lost a Monday Night game with Mike Tomlin as their coach. The Texans have never won a playoff game on the road.
In 2007 the Steelers disappointingly lost the wildcard game to the Jaguars. They were edged out in the final minute by a field goal.
The Steelers began the 2008 season with 19 of 22 starters who opened the previous season returning. Ben Roethlisberger was confident of successful season. “I set my goals so high,” he acknowledged. “The Super Bowl is what we are going for.”
It may have sounded like a hollow touch of exuberance from the 4-year veteran before a pass had been thrown, but he was leading an experienced team. The season opener against a fledgling franchise offered the opportunity to kick the season off with a win.
When asked if he was nervous about the game, Texans rookie tackle confirmed he was. “Definitely. It’s at Pittsburgh against a team with a great tradition and a great defense, so nerves are going to be there.” He had good reason to be nervous as he was going up against James Harrison.
Before the game, the Steelers paid tribute to Myron Cope who passed away in February of 2008.
The (0-0) Steelers vs the (0-0) Texans; September 7, 2008
The Steelers stamped their authority on the game from the start. The defense stopped the Texans first possession. Quarterback Matt Schaub went for it on a fourth down and one. He failed, handing the Steelers good field position.
A combination of Willie Parker’s runs and Ben Roethlisberger finding his receivers early saw Pittsburgh go 52 yards in 8 plays. Parker took the ball in for a 7-yard touchdown to give the Steelers an early lead. Jeff Reed added the extra point.
Another forced three and out by the Steelers saw Roethlisberger lead his team 76 yards as the game went into the second quarter. Demonstrating effective leadership and poise, Roethlisberger moved the ball down the field with a balanced mix of running and passing plays.
This sustained series illustrated the Steelers’ offensive rhythm and further established their dominance early in the match. Parker ended the drive with a 13-yard touchdown run.
An interception by LaMaar Woodley that he returned 6 yards brought another Texans possession to an end. It took just a 6-yard run from Mendenhall, and a 13-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward from Roethlisberger’s to extend the Steelers lead.
A Troy Polamalu interception presented the Steelers with another turnover, before the dormant Texans defense suddenly came alive. Mario Williams’ sack caused Roethlisberger to fumble which Houston recovered. Pittsburgh’s defense held them to a 34-yard field goal. The Steelers went to the locker room at the half holding a 21-3 lead.
At the beginning of the third quarter, a Texans three and out initiated another Steelers scoring drive. Rookie Rashard Mendenhall joined Parker on the ground while offensive coordinator Bruce Arians called seven straight running plays to move the ball to Houston’s 19. Roethlisberger found Ward with a touchdown catch of 16 yards to finish the drive and extend the Steelers advantage.
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, with the Steelers comfortably ahead, Coach Tomlin enjoyed the luxury of replacing Roethlisberger with Byron Leftwich.
After the Texans added a 14-yard touchdown from Kevin Walter, James Harrison forced a fumble on their next drive. LaMarr Woodley recovered the loose ball. As a result of the turnover, Reed added a field goal from 44 yards.
To complete the scoring Schaub led his team on a 62-yard series that he finished with a 4-yard touchdown run. It was just a consolation score as the Steelers began the new season with a win..
The Pittsburgh Steelers 38 vs the Houston Texans 17
“I think we played a good game in virtually all three phases,” offered Mike Tomlin. “It was not perfect, but I liked the energy and enthusiasm from the people who went out and made plays for this football team.”
After Ben Roethlisberger posted a rating of 147, he acknowledged, “I think we did good. We managed the game. It felt good out there.”
Texans coach Gary Kubiak volunteered, “The Steelers are a hell of a franchise. Their quarterback is one great player, the job that he does. Defensively, they don’t give up big plays.” Praise indeed that saw the Steelers finish the season 12-4.
The Steelers beat the Chargers 35-24 in the Divisional game and the Ravens 23-14 in the Conference Championship. This set up one of the great Super Bowls when the Steelers beat the Cardinals 27-23 in SB XLIII. Roethlisberger’s faith before the season started in the ability of his team was fully justified with Pittsburgh’s sixth Super Bowl victory.
