Steelers fall to Texans, 20-12

The Steelers had another botched snap on the first play of their next possession, but that was recovered by fullback Jack Colletto for a 4-yard gain. Fields, however, was sacked on third down by Danielle Hunter, forcing the Steelers to punt.

Houston got a 22-yard return on the punt from Tank Dell and turned that into points, as quarterback C.J. Stroud, the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year connected with Dell on a 34-yard touchdown pass down the seam to give the Texans a 7-0 lead.

The Steelers did not play outside linebackers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, defensive tackle Cam Heyward, inside linebacker Patrick Queen and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick on defense.

The Steelers began the next possession at their own 14 after rookie Ryan Watts was called for holding on the kickoff, but Fields moved the team to the Houston 36 before he was sacked again, again ending the threat.

Kyle Allen entered the game after Fields left, and led the Steelers from their own 27 to the Houston 1. But on third-and-goal from the 1, Jonathan Ward was stopped for a 1-yard loss, and Allen’s fourth-down pass to a wide-open Calvin Austin III in the back corner of the end zone sailed over the receiver’s head, turning the ball over on downs.

“The way the DBs were playing, I wasn’t sure if the DBs were going to in and out and pass off their guys,” said Allen. “At the last second, they passed him off and he took it high. I’ve just got to give him a better ball. I threw it too deep for him.”