The Steelers endured a rough start to the preseason, failing to capitalize on offense, giving up chunk plays to the Houston Texans on defense, and struggling on special teams in a 20-12 loss at Acrisure Stadium.
Houston opened the scoring late in the first quarter after C.J. Stroud hit Tank Dell for a 34-yard touchdown with 50 seconds left, then after Pittsburgh muffed a punt deep in their own territory, the Texans added another score with less than three minutes remaining in the first half as well as a field goal with under two to go. Backup quarterback Kyle Allen got the Steelers on the board in the third with a six-yard pass to Connor Heyward but a high snap on the extra point attempt forced Matthew Wright to pull the impending kick. Daijun Edwards added the final touchdown for the Steelers early in the fourth with a one-yard score.
As a team, the Steelers were just 2-for-9 on third downs, going 0-for-5 in the first half, and committed six penalties for 59 yards.
Allen played the final three quarters and went 17-for-23 passing with 193 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Justin Fields went 5-for-6 with 67 passing yards and only two yards on three carries in his Steelers debut.
Coach Mike Tomlin was not pleased with his team’s efforts, calling the offense, defense and special teams “JV.” He said one of the reasons for the poor showing was due to lack of cohesion at the beginning of the game.
Justin Fields matched his coach’s energy following the game, saying the Steelers couldn’t get anything going offensively.
On the injury front, defensive lineman Keeanu Benton left the game in the second quarter with an eye injury and did not return. Offensive lineman Troy Fautanu suffered a minor knee injury and was seen wearing a brace on the sidelines. He is being evaluated.
The Steelers return to St. Vincent College in Latrobe tomorrow at 2:55 p.m.
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