NFL GAME DAY DISCUSSION Wild Card Monday: Texans at Steelers

KCSVEN · Jan 13, 2026

-Texans defense is tough. Browns defense was probably equivalent. Browns were #1 in Pass Rush per PFF, Texans 2. -Overall defense they have Rams, Browns then Texans.
-Depending on which advanced stat, Football reference has Seahawks, then Texans, then Browns.
-However you cut it Browns are probably the 1 team Pats played with a defense equivalent. Drake was sacked 6 times and yeah, they ended up pummeling them but only in the second half when they wore down from the inept offenses ability to stay on the field.
-One thing I'll say to the Pats advantage is Texans don't disguise what they are doing at all so Josh should have a game plan to attack them.
-Also, Texans offense without Collins is not the same, Schultz is the only other guy Stroud targeted regularly.

Maye might have to go thru Chargers, Texans and Broncos, 3 of the toughest defenses in the NFL. Add the Rams/Seahawks and you get 4 of the NFL's best defenses.

Huckleberry1 · Jan 13, 2026

1st order of business for the Stealers this season, reach a long term extension with Aaron Rodgers. He is their future.

KCSVEN · Jan 13, 2026

GreenCow said:
Perhaps some of you haven’t been paying attention to Houston this year, but their defense is generational. Top 20 ALL TIME.

They are VERY good but let's not get ridiculous. No advanced stats puts them #1 THIS season. Browns or Seahawks are.

Seahawks #1 in Expected Points Contributed 81.09 to 65.87 Texans, Browns are 65.25
Seahawks NY/A Rushing: 3.7 vs Texans 4.0 vs Browns 4.2
Seahawks NY/A Passing 5.1 vs 5.3 Texans vs 5.3 Browns
Seahawks: 47 sacks, Texans 47 sacks, Browns 53
Seahawks: 122 QB Hits, Texans 95, Browns 113
Seahawks: Y/P 4.6, Texans 4.8, Browns 4.8

Yards per game passing against: Browns 167.2, Texans 183.5, Seahawks 193.9

Chargers were #1 in passer rating against, Texans 3 and Seahawks 4 (75.0 vs 76.2 vs 77.9)

They are not top 20 all time, unless Seahawks are top 10 all time and Browns are also top 20 all time?

GreenCow · Jan 13, 2026

KCSVEN said:
They are VERY good but let's not get ridiculous. No advanced stats puts them #1 THIS season. Browns or Seahawks are.

Wow you guys all live in a bubble.

Rob0729 · Jan 13, 2026

KCSVEN said:
-Texans defense is tough. Browns defense was probably equivalent. Browns were #1 in Pass Rush per PFF, Texans 2. -Overall defense they have Rams, Browns then Texans.
-Depending on which advanced stat, Football reference has Seahawks, then Texans, then Browns.
-However you cut it Browns are probably the 1 team Pats played with a defense equivalent. Drake was sacked 6 times and yeah, they ended up pummeling them but only in the second half when they wore down from the inept offenses ability to stay on the field.
-One thing I'll say to the Pats advantage is Texans don't disguise what they are doing at all so Josh should have a game plan to attack them.
-Also, Texans offense without Collins is not the same, Schultz is the only other guy Stroud targeted regularly.

Maye might have to go thru Chargers, Texans and Broncos, 3 of the toughest defenses in the NFL. Add the Rams/Seahawks and you get 4 of the NFL's best defenses.

Not so sure I agree with your assessment of the Pats only started to score when the Browns wore down and the Browns' inept offense. The Pats scored 21 points in the third quarter. They scored a TD on every possession they had in that quarter (granted one was a six yard drive). I don't know how a defense could wear down during halftime. Usually teams come out more refreshed (even if it is temporary) from halftime.

In fact, the Pats only score in the fourth quarter was a safety. And the Browns got a TD in the fourth. And other than the time killing drive in garbage time, the Pats went three and out and fumbled away the ball in the fourth.

It wasn't like last night when it was 7-6 into the fourth quarter and one side collapsed because they were worn out and desperate. I think it had far more to do with halftime adjustments than the Browns being worn down.

But in that game, Maye completed 75% of his passes for 282 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 INT (he also rushed for 50 yards). If Maye has a game like that on Sunday, the Pats should win by double digits.

sb1 · Jan 13, 2026

Took me a moment but I see what she did there!

Pape · Jan 13, 2026

jimnance said:
All over the U.S. right now, millions of NFL fans are changing channels

Changing channels? nah Jimmy, more like falling asleep

FreeTedWilliams · Jan 13, 2026

Huckleberry1 said:
1st order of business for the Stealers this season, reach a long term extension with Aaron Rodgers. He is their future.

right after they reach a long term extension with Tomlin

KCSVEN · Jan 13, 2026

GreenCow said:
Wow you guys all live in a bubble.

The Seahawks EPA is 129.62, Texans 130.69. That's negligible.
2023 Browns Ravens and Jets 187.97, 166.19, 144.88
2022 49ers: 131.24

In the last 4 YEARS they are basically 6th best defense and somehow that equates to top 20 defense ALL TIME?

Nobody is arguing they are not 1 of the 2-3 best defenses this year and very good but they are absolutely NOT a top 20 all time defense. Though very hard to go back to compare anything before the rule changes for the offense. Top 20 since the Colts changed the rules? Probably in that conversation.

What's the other common theme with all these top defenses since 2022? None of them made the Super Bowl.

They average out on EPA/Play about the 4th best since 2022 so basically, they are an average #1 defense. Most years the #1 defense is very similar to their defense.

GreenCow · Jan 13, 2026

KCSVEN said:
The Seahawks EPA is 129.62, Texans 130.69.

So… another statistic which shows Texans as #1.

To put the Texans ~131 in perspective, the Seahawks “legion of boom” defense averaged around 132-133. The Texans defense is in historic territory!

Jokes aside, EPA is kind of a joke and most NFL analysts don’t live by that one statistic and I don’t either.

For example, the 2023 Jets defensive is not in the same STRATOSPHERE as this Houston defense. And then there is the Browns — LOL — The only statistic that the 2023 Browns were top 3 in was yards. Turnovers, TD’s given up, points scored against, etc they weren’t even in the top 5!!!

So let me get this straight. They had an amazing EPA but their defense was scored on more than 13 other NFL teams (yes, they were 14th in points against)!? Remind me of what defenses are supposed to do?

But hey, it’s another feather in the cap.

KCSVEN · Jan 13, 2026

GreenCow said:
So… another statistic which shows Texans as #1.

To put the Texans ~131 in perspective, the Seahawks “legion of boom” defense averaged around 132-133. The Texans defense is in historic territory!

Jokes aside, EPA is kind of a joke and most NFL analysts don’t live by that one statistic and I don’t either.

For example, the 2023 Jets defensive is not in the same STRATOSPHERE as this Houston defense. And then there is the Browns — LOL — The only statistic that the 2023 Browns were top 3 in was yards. Turnovers, TD’s given up, points scored against, etc they weren’t even in the top 5!!!

So let me get this straight. They had an amazing EPA but their defense was scored on more than 13 other NFL teams (yes, they were 14th in points against)!? Remind me of what defenses are supposed to do?

But hey, it’s another feather in the cap.

Sorry, missing my point. There is definitely an argument to be made the Browns or Seahawks had just as good or better a defense as the Texans. History shows the Texans defense is an average #1 defense in a season. They are not any better than #1 defenses the last 4 years.

Thus, the ENTIRE POINT I AM MAKING is they are not some generational defense. They are not the Bears or Ravens that won Super Bowls. They are arguably the #1 defense THIS year. I can agree with that.

Ross12 · Jan 13, 2026

GreenCow said:
Oh give me a break Ross. You have known me well enough for many years to know I don’t troll. I call a spade a spade.

Your attendance this year, with the Patriots finally being relevant again and a threat to the Bills' title chances, has been suspect.

Borg140 · Jan 13, 2026

Houston’s offense is the weak link in this game. Stroud put the ball on the ground 5 times last night. He’s going to have a rough time on Sunday.

GreenCow · Jan 13, 2026

KCSVEN said:
Sorry, missing my point. There is definitely an argument to be made the Browns or Seahawks had just as good or better a defense as the Texans.

No there’s not.

Only if you go by EPA, which is a joke.

There is NO WAY anyone who is knowledgeable in football can watch those 3 teams play defense (Texans, Browns, Seahawks) and say “Browns and Seahawks are close to the Texans”. It’s like night and day.

You’ll see in 6 days time. If i’m wrong, call me out. But if i’m right, give me my due.

GreenCow · Jan 13, 2026

Ross12 said:
Your attendance this year, with the Patriots finally being relevant again and a threat to the Bills' title chances, has been suspect.

A guy can’t be busy!?

203Pat · Jan 13, 2026

Although I would have rather played the Steelers that ended up being one of the best hate watches I've ever witnessed. To watch that smarmy ******* stumbling around like a new born giraffe, taking bit hit after big hit, and looking completely inept then have the audacity to pull his usual demonstrative crap was ridiculous. Rodgers was a complete liability out there and yet somehow he still resorted to his eye rolls, palms in the air, and *****ing at his teammates after every sack or incomplete pass.

Outside of the truly bad human beings like Tyreek Hill, Leonard Little, etc Rodgers has to be the NFL player I have hated the most.

KCSVEN · Jan 13, 2026

GreenCow said:
No there’s not.

Only if you go by EPA, which is a joke.

There is NO WAY anyone who is knowledgeable in football can watch those 3 teams play defense (Texans, Browns, Seahawks) and say “Browns and Seahawks are close to the Texans”. It’s like night and day.

You’ll see in 6 days time. If i’m wrong, call me out. But if i’m right, give me my due.

DVOA has Seahawks 1 and Texans 2 also.
How will I see in 6 days? Are Patriots playing the Seahawks and the Texans back to back?

everlong · Jan 13, 2026

As Nietzche once said, the sweetest schaudenfraude is watching Aaron Rodgers implode in the playoffs.

TommyD4207 · Jan 13, 2026

Coaching will win this game.

Demeco Ryans will screw up game management in key spots at least twice which will swing the game in the Patriots direction.

You can only go so far on high-end talent on one side of the ball. The more complete teams advance at this level. It's been borne out time and time and time again.

DC Patriots · Jan 13, 2026

So we were all hoping to face Pittsburgh rather than Houston, but isn’t there anyone else who’s just the tiniest bit happy to watch Aaron Rodgers eat ****?

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NFL GAME DAY DISCUSSION Wild Card Monday: Texans at Steelers

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