{"id":35567,"date":"2017-12-24T11:16:52","date_gmt":"2017-12-24T16:16:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=35567"},"modified":"2017-12-24T11:16:52","modified_gmt":"2017-12-24T16:16:52","slug":"week-16-pittsburgh-steelers-keys-to-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/12\/24\/week-16-pittsburgh-steelers-keys-to-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Week 16 Pittsburgh Steelers Keys To Victory"},"content":{"rendered":"

The week 16 Pittsburgh<\/a> Steelers<\/a> head to Texas this week for a Christmas matchup with the Houston<\/a> Texans.<\/a> The Steelers sole purpose this week is to clinch a first round bye in the postseason and get out healthy. The Texans have fallen on hard times this season and are looking to make things difficult for the Steelers. The Steelers are looking to rebound after a disappointing loss last Sunday. Steelers rookie\u00a0T.J. Watt<\/a><\/strong> and his brother, Texans defensive end\u00a0J.J. Watt<\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong>were looking forward to this game since last May’s draft. Unfortunately, the older Watt will be sitting this one out due to a season ending injury, and his team has nothing to play for. Week 16 Pittsburgh Steelers keys to victory takes a look at what must be accomplished to leave Houston with a win.<\/p>\n

Week 16 Pittsburgh Steelers Keys To Victory<\/h1>\n

The Steelers have played the Texans five times since Houston re-joined the NFL In 2002. They have two wins at home and one on the road. The last meeting between these two teams was in October of 2014, which the Steelers prevailed 30-23. The Steelers will clinch a first round bye in the playoffs with a win, which is a given on paper. In reality, the Texans don’t want anyone clinching anything against them and won’t roll over for anyone. Games like this have given the Steelers problems in the past, but they have something to play for. In light of last week’s frustrating loss they will be focused and won’t take the Texans for granted. With that in mind, here are the week 16 Pittsburgh Steelers keys to victory.<\/p>\n

Shut Down The Texans Running Game<\/h2>\n

The Texans are ranked 10th and 15th respectively when it comes to rushing attempts and yards. Their leading rusher,\u00a0Lamar Miller<\/a><\/strong>, averaging over four yards per carry for his career, is having a down year. He’s got the speed and cut back ability to go the distance at any time. Miller also has the power to pick up the tough yards as well. With backup\u00a0D’Onta Foreman<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>on the injured reserve, the Steelers could see\u00a0Alfred Blue<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>in short yardage and goal line situations. Blue is a north-south runner who hits the hole hard, and has the size to create his own running lanes.\u00a0Stephon Tuitt<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Cameron Heyward<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>need to funnel everything they can inside and Let\u00a0Javon Hargrave<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Vince Williams<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>eat.<\/p>\n

Contain DeAndre Hopkins<\/h2>\n

The best active wide receiver in the NFL is 11 receptions behind\u00a0Antonio Brown<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>for the league lead.\u00a0DeAndre<\/a> Hopkins<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>is the Texans most explosive weapon and\u00a0T.J. Yates<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>plans to use him early and often. The good news for the Steelers is that cornerback\u00a0Joe Haden<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>returns this week to stabilize the secondary and help keep Hopkins in check.<\/p>\n

Haden and Burns are one of the league’s best tandems and have already shut down some of the games best receivers. They need to keep Hopkins in front of them in front of them, and the emergence of\u00a0Cameron Sutton<\/a> <\/strong>can help make that easier. Taking away Yates’s best weapon will cripple any chance of the Texans hanging around in this game. It might be the most step towards the Steelers clinching that coveted first bye in the postseason.<\/p>\n

Attack of The Killer B’s<\/h2>\n

The Killer B’s are still a potent group even without Brown on the field. Ben Roethlisberger<\/a><\/strong>, playing like an elite quarterback again, Le’Veon Bell<\/a><\/strong>, and Martavis Bryant<\/a><\/strong> stepped up with big plays last week. Bryant, especially, had his best game since returning from suspension, with two spectacular receptions. One was a spectacular one-hand touchdown catch, and the other was an all out effort on a 39 yard diving grab. These guys are virtually impossible to stop when they get rolling, so they need to get off to a quick start. Brown gave Steeler Nation the “Immaculate Extension” last Christmas, so it’s Bryant’s turn on Monday.<\/p>\n

Win The Battles in The Trenches<\/h2>\n

The week 16 Pittsburgh Steelers are blessed to have one of the best offensive and defensive lines in the NFL. The key to this game, as with all of them, is to win the battles up front. The offensive line must neutralize Jadeveon Clowney<\/a> <\/strong>as much as possible, while the defensive line must break down Texans offensive tackles Chris Clark<\/a> <\/strong>and Breno Giacomini<\/a><\/strong>. The return of Marcus Gilbert<\/a> <\/strong>only strengthens a line that played solid in his absence. Hopefully Ramon<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0Foster<\/strong>,<\/a> who was cleared to practice on Friday, will be able to play as well.<\/p>\n

Last Word on The Week 16 Pittsburgh Steelers<\/h2>\n

The week 16 Pittsburgh Steelers, for the second straight year, have a big game on Christmas Day. They clinched the division last Christmas, and hope to clinch a first round bye this year. The Steelers won’t be playing down to the level of the Texans, they will be playing with a purpose. Look for the Steelers to jump ahead quickly and put the Texans away early. Pittsburgh 37 – Texans 16.<\/p>\n

Main Image:<\/p>\n

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