Wildcard Discussion: Texans @ Steelers

[Mike FF Today 763]

Inactives -

Texans: WR Braxton Berrios, QB Graham Mertz, LB Christian Harris, G Juice Scruggs, RB Jawhar Jordan, CB Alijah Huzzie

Steelers: WR Roman Wilson, RB Kaleb Johnson, OL Jack Driscoll, DL Logan Lee, OLB Jeremiah Moon, CB Tre Flowers, QB Will Howard

Line: HOU -3.0
Total: 38.5

[LaChup 291]

Monday Night Football 6-point teaser ayahuasca retreat (HOU +3/Under 44.5)

[GobbleDog 1,024]

Christian Kirk finished the season averaging 4.5 pts per game, which ranks 101st among Wr's. 

At the half, Kirk currently has 5 rec, 58 yds, and a Td.   

Where's he been all season?  

[Chickie 86]

Just another in the long line of Arthur Smith’s high powered run and gun offenses. Circa 1950’s football

 

[Law 275]

This is exactly the way I expected it to end. An inability to move the ball and then...implosion. 

Arthur Smith and Aaron Rodgers? What could go wrong? Or right?

 

Rodgers needs to retire and the Steelers need a team-wide implosion - starting with Tomlin and Smith!

[Mike FF Today 763]

Nico Collins leaves with a concussion. Kirk: 8-144-1 on 9 targets.

[weepaws 3,487]

Biggest issue, do the Steelers, do like the Ravens, and let Tomlin go, I think he needed to win this game at home, I think he’s going to be gone, and Rodgers will retire.  

[GobbleDog 1,024]

10 hours ago, weepaws said:

let Tomlin go, I think he needed to win this game at home, I think he’s going to be gone

Tomlin hasn't won a playoff game in 9 years. It's time... 

I believe John Harbaugh still has some football smarts, but just like Pete Carrol the game seems to have passed Tomlin by.  If he's fired, some team will hire him expecting to relive the Steelers glory days.  I think they'll be sadly disappointed.  

[cavern 71]

on Tomlin's future....does anyone know how much he had to do with the Steelers decision to go with Rodgers at QB this season?

[Ray_T 801]

5 hours ago, cavern said:

on Tomlin's future....does anyone know how much he had to do with the Steelers decision to go with Rodgers at QB this season?

Im sure they wouldnt have signed him if the coach wasnt onboard with the decision.

to the extent that Tomlin benched fields and then the team let him walk in free agency.... I think that says it all.   but fields is a mediocre QB at best and Tomlin got wins out of the guy last year in a relief role.    

The best organizations are not just a GM making decisions.   the GM and coach should be in lockstep and they should both agree on what the team is doing in the majority of the personell moves.    There will always be times when they do not agree with each other,  but that should be rare.

[cavern 71]

On 1/13/2026 at 3:59 PM, Ray_T said:

Im sure they wouldnt have signed him if the coach wasnt onboard with the decision.

to the extent that Tomlin benched fields and then the team let him walk in free agency.... I think that says it all.   but fields is a mediocre QB at best and Tomlin got wins out of the guy last year in a relief role.    

The best organizations are not just a GM making decisions.   the GM and coach should be in lockstep and they should both agree on what the team is doing in the majority of the personell moves.    There will always be times when they do not agree with each other,  but that should be rare.

the point is moot since Tomlin resigned.  My foggy memory was that Rodgers was a late in the process desperation move after other options didn't pan out

[Ray_T 801]

13 minutes ago, cavern said:

the point is moot since Tomlin resigned.  My foggy memory was that Rodgers was a late in the process desperation move after other options didn't pan out

of course.   a 41 year old QB is rarely a long term play.   hes a 1 year fill in.   He may have another year in him but they need to get their QB of the future in there soon (or at least get lined up for it)

I'd probably say if they keep rodgers one more year, the move to make is to draft on the O line.  this way if Rodgers gets hurt or sucks the team will be able to bottom out, draft a QB and have an O line that should be ready to protect him.

I firmly believe that the best way to develop a young QB  is to have a decent line for him to play behind.   Most young QB prospects are ruined because the team failed to take care of this.

[weepaws 3,487]

I don’t think would want to stay now that Tomlin is gone. 

[cavern 71]

On 1/16/2026 at 10:32 AM, Ray_T said:

of course.   a 41 year old QB is rarely a long term play.   hes a 1 year fill in.   He may have another year in him but they need to get their QB of the future in there soon (or at least get lined up for it)

I'd probably say if they keep rodgers one more year, the move to make is to draft on the O line.  this way if Rodgers gets hurt or sucks the team will be able to bottom out, draft a QB and have an O line that should be ready to protect him.

I firmly believe that the best way to develop a young QB  is to have a decent line for him to play behind.   Most young QB prospects are ruined because the team failed to take care of this.

yes.  i'd prefer they parlay their considerable draft capital into a QB this year.  they also need OL for sure