Quick Hits: Texans-Steelers Statistical Preview

For the first time in history, J.J. Watt, T.J. Watt and Derek Watt will all participate in the same NFL game. For those keeping score, this is only the second time in 93 years that 3 brothers have played in the same NFL game. While that’s a great subplot, including speculation that J.J. could find himself on the trade block if he decides his chances of winning a championship are better outside of Houston, the real story here is a tale of two teams heading in different directions. The Mike Tomlin Steelers are looking to regain their Super Bowl form, while the Bill O’Brien led Texans are looking for their lunch money that got taken the last three games.

Regardless of all that, here are the stats for this week’s game:

• Steelers currently lead the all time series 4-2.
• Steelers won the last meeting, on 12/25/2017, 34-6.
• Steelers have won 4 of the last 5 games.
• Houston lost last week to Steelers division rival Baltimore Ravens by a score of 33-16.
• Pittsburgh won last week against the now Von Miller-less Denver Broncos 26-21.
• Texans are currently scoring 18 points per game and giving up 33.5.
• Steelers are currently scoring 26 points per game and giving up 18.5.
• Houston’s offense is currently gaining 332 yards per game.
• Pittsburgh’s offense is currently gaining 379.5 yards per game.

• Deshaun Watson has thrown 68 passes with 45 completions for 528 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.
• Ben Roethlisberger has thrown 73 passes with 50 completions for 540 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 1 interception.
• Watson’s current QB rating is 87.1.
• Roethlisberger’s current QB rating is 107.1.
• David Johnson has rushed 22 times for 111 yards, a 5.0 yard per carry average, and 1 touchdown.
• Benny Snell has rushed 22 times for 118 yards, a 5.4 yard per carry average, and 0 touchdowns.
• Jordan Akins is Houston’s key receiver with 9 catches for 94 yards and 1 touchdown.
• Diontae Johnson is Pittsburgh’s key receiver with 14 catches for 149 yards and 1 touchdown.
• Houston’s defense is giving up 388 yards per game.
• Pittsburgh’s defense is giving up 305 yards per game.
• J.J. Watt leads the Texans with 2 sacks, tied for 3rd in the NFL. J.J. has 98 total career sacks.
• T.J. Watt leads the Steelers with 2.5 sacks, tied for the NFL lead, T.J. has 37 total career sacks.

• Houston has a turnover differential of -3.
• Pittsburgh has a turnover differential of +1.
• Deshaun Watson completed 25 of 36 passes (69.4%) for 275 yards and 1 touchdown, and 1 interception last week.
• Ben Roethlisberger completed 29 of 41 passes (70.7%) for 311 yards, 2 touchdown, and 1 interception for a 98.7 rating last week.
• David Johnson had a TD catch in his last game against the Steelers (12/8/19 with the Arizona Cardinals). Since 2015, he ranks tied for second among RBs in TD catches (15) and fourth in receiving yards (2,267).
• James Conner rushed for 106 yards and 1 TD last week, his sixth game with 100+ rushing yards and 1+ rushing TD since 2018, tied for the third-most in the AFC. He has at least 1 TD in six straight games at home, the second-longest active streak in the NFL.
• Brandin Cooks had 5 catches for a team-high 95 yards last week. He had 4 catches for 60 yards and 1 touchdown in his only career game versus Pittsburgh (12/17/17 with New England Patriots).
• Juju Smith-Schuster had a season-high 7 catches for 48 yards last week. He had 6 catches for 75 yards and 1 touchdown in his last meeting with HOuston. He has 75 or more receiving yards in 2 of his past 3 games against AFC South opponents.
• J.J. Watt had 2 sacks and 1 pass defensed last week, his 26th-career game with 2+ sacks, the most in the NFL since 2011. He had 1 sack and 1 fumble recovery in his last game versus Pittsburgh (10/20/14). Watt aims for his fourth game in a row against AFC North opponents with a pass defensed. His 98 career sacks are tied for the second-most in the NFL since 2011.
• T.J. Watt had 2.5 sacks last week, his sixth game with 2+ sacks since 2018, tied for the most in the AFC. He has 15 sacks in his past 11 home games.

There you have it. All the stats that are worth stating... err... umm... is that a word?

Anyway, give us your match-up predictions based on these numbers in the comments below.