The Houston Texans might come off of the bus passing against the Steelers.  The key to doing that will be to keep QB Matt Schaub upright as the Steelers love to blitz.  The Texans must keep OLBs LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison out of the backfield.  If that happens the Texans should be able to exploit an overrated crew of DBs that the Steelers have.  Andre Johnson and Andre Davis are fast enough to turn any catch into a TD so CBs Ike Taylor and Deshea Townsend better be on top of their games.  WR Kevin Walter and TE Owen Daniels will be challenging safeties Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu on game long on short passes.  NT Casey Hampton and inside linebackers Larry Foote and James Farrior will likely be able to stop the Texans from running up the middle with Ahman Green, Steve Slaton and Chris Taylor.

The Steelers would prefer to run the ball to set up the pass but that might not work against the Texans who have some good run stoppers in MLB DeMeco Ryans and DT Amobi Okoye.  Still, Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall will get their carries and it will be interesting to see what they can do with them.  The offensive line is going to be a weakness for the Steelers this season and that could be a huge problem against DE Mario Williams who really stepped up last season.  The Steelers should be able to get the ball downfield if Roethlisberger gets time to throw the ball and that’s a huge if.  The Texans have a weak secondary so Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward and Heath Miller could all have big days this Sunday.

PREDICTION:  PITTSBURGH STEELERS 27, HOUSTON TEXANS 24