The Texans had four players with at least four interceptions in 2025, the most in a single season since the 2017 Jaguars — Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter, Calen Bullock and Jalen Pitre (each with four).
Houston finished with the No. 1 total defense (277.2 yards per game) and No. 2 D (17.4 points per game). Ryan’s crew also finished first in opposing three-and-out percentage (29.7) and first downs per game (16.2) and committed the third-most turnovers (29).
It all starts with Anderson and Hunter confusing the offense at the snap. The last time the Steelers played in a dominant situation in Week 17 against Cleveland, they looked preoccupied with containing Myles Garrett from Rodgers, who soured them on some of the short drops that have been a staple of production after the catch.
Tomlin was asked how the Steelers plan to protect not just one, but two elite quarterbacks while avoiding the pitfalls that came against Cleveland.
“Let me be clear. I mentioned it a few times, but you guys don’t seem to hear me. We didn’t do anything unique against the Cleveland Browns from a defensive standpoint that we don’t always do when we play the Cleveland Browns,” he said. “We did the same thing the first time we played Cleveland. Won the game, scored more points, had zero sacks. So it wasn’t a significant change. We were definitely challenged this week because they have a formidable combination. Like I mentioned, we should do a really good job of minimizing the amount we’re in those one-dimensional situations.”
According to Next Generation Stats, in Week 6, on 24 pass rushes, the Steelers sacked Garrett six times and doubled him six times – the running back earned three QB pressures, including two rushing pressures. In Week 17, Pittsburgh hit Garrett 16 times and doubled him once in 39 pass rushes (41%) — producing six pressures and three rushes. In 2024, the Steelers lost Garrett 18 times in 32 snaps in Week 2 (56.3%) with five double teams (surrendered three sacks). In Week 14, they sacked him five times, doubled him four (gave up one sack, four pressures).
Since Garrett entered the NFL in 2017, the Steelers have intercepted the edge on 16.7 percent of his snaps (81 times). Of those 81 chips, 45 came in the past two seasons — including 34 combined in the 2024 three-sack game and a sack loss in Week 17.
Regardless of how the Steelers’ offense protected Garrett, the genius of the Texans’ defense is that if an offense fumbles or slips, it leaves the other star edge with an advantage. Take away the edges and a good center can crash right into the QB’s lap.
With two beasts roaring off the sidelines Monday night, expect Rodgers to continue peppering quick, short passes.