WHEN: 12:00 p.m. CT

WHERE: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Penn.

FORECAST: Sunny, 76 degrees, 8 mph winds

FOLLOW: @therealmarklane, @thetexanswire

LISTEN: Sports Radio 610 and 100.3 The Bull

WATCH: CBS (Ian Eagle & Charles Davis)

BLUE: Houston-Pittsburgh

RED: Las Vegas-New England

BROWN: Tennessee-Minnesota

TEAL: Cincinnati-Philadelphia

GREEN: NY Jets-Indianapolis (late)

YELLOW: Carolina-LA Chargers (late)

Source: 506 Sports

10. Pittsburgh’s sacks

The Steelers defense has produced 10 sacks through the first two weeks, the second-most in the league. The Texans already have trouble keeping the pocket clean for Watson. They will be even more challenged to do so with Pittsburgh’s aggressive defense.

9. Houston’s tackles for loss

Even though the Texans don’t have a turnover, they still have other stats that show the defense isn’t a complete sieve. Take their tackles for loss. Houston is 10th in the NFL with nine, tied with six other teams. The Texans will have to turn up the heat and be more disruptive.

8. The Texans’ quarterback hits

Speaking of disruption, Houston’s defense has hit the opposing quarterback eight times, tied with the Detroit Lions for the fifth-fewest in the league. The Texans will have to find ways to affect Ben Roethlisberger and not allow him to survey his dynamic receiving targets.

7. Steelers’ red zone attempts

Pittsburgh’s offense has visited the red zone seven times through two games, tied for the 14th-most in the league. What it indicates is that the Steelers are a threat to score from outside the 20-yard line. However, the Steelers are tied for 18th when it comes to red zone conversions at 57.1%. If the Texans can force the Steelers to drive the field and not give up chunk plays for points, they could have a chance to win a close game in Pittsburgh.

6. Houston’s rank for red zone conversions

Speaking of the red zone, the Texans have converted 80% of their trips, the sixth-most in the NFL. Why not? They have an athletic tight end in Jordan Akins, a big-bodied target in tight end Darren Fells, a pass-catching back in David Johnson, and a threat to score from anywhere, anyhow in Deshaun Watson. Houston’s problem has been getting there. However, their red zone trips lead into the next stat perfectly.

5. The Texans’ number of red zone trips

Houston’s five red zone trips are tied with the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles for the second-fewest. How fitting for an 0-2 team. The Texans are going to have to get into the red zone five times against Pittsburgh just to give themselves a chance to get their first win of the season.

4. Zach Cunningham’s missed tackles

The former 2017 second-round pick is coming around; take a look at his sack he earned against the Baltimore Ravens last week. However, Cunningham will have to be on his A-game in Pittsburgh. The Texans need their best defenders to rise to the occasion and help keep the opposition in the twenties to give their offense a chance.

3. Number of Pittsburgh defenders who are in the top-10 for blitzing

Outside linebackers Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt are at the top of the list with 25 and 24. Cornerback Mike Hilton has been sent on the sixth-most blitzes through two games with 19. That means defensive coordinator Keith Butler is going to do what he can to get after Watson. Houston offensive coordinator Tim Kelly will have to find ways to neutralize the blitz and protect Watson with play-calling.

2. Teams who don’t have takeaways

Detroit and Houston. Both are 0-2. Enough said.

1. Wins the Texans need

If the Texans can get a win against the Steelers, even though they will still be south of .500, they will extinguish the anxiety about the team falling to 0-3. Now, the narrative leading into the Minnesota Vikings game at NRG Stadium, possibly with fans, will be about keeping the momentum alive, not digging out of an 0-3 hole.