RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesWhile standard divisional showdowns against the Ravens or Browns routinely dominate preseason chatter, sports media host Rich Eisen believes the true litmus test for the Pittsburgh Steelers lies elsewhere.
Looking ahead at the upcoming schedule on a recent episode of “ The Rich Eisen Show ,” Eisen singled out a December home clash as being the team’s biggest challenge. The game is against the Houston Texans , and he calls it the defining moment for the franchise's new-look offense.
"Measuring stick. December 6th. Texans at the Steelers," Eisen stated during a recent broadcast. "If they beat the Texans, the team that went in and absolutely curb-stomped this team out of the playoffs, and that was Mike Tomlin's last game on the sideline as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers . If they flip that around, okay, now you're talking."
The narrative depth of this late-season matchup extends far beyond revenge. Following a postseason exit in which Pittsburgh failed to generate answers against Houston’s elite defense, the Steelers restructured their offense under new head coach Mike McCarthy.
With a new schematic foundation , an upgraded receiving unit featuring DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., and Super Bowl-winning quarterback Aaron Rodgers at the helm, the December game serves as a direct evaluation of the team's evolution.
"Last year, Texans went in with that defense, and they couldn't do a damn thing," Eisen highlighted. "And if Mike McCarthy is coming in here and adding a new layer, and they got a better offense and they've got a better sense of things, and Rodgers is more comfortable and they can somehow protect him and he can get rid of the ball fast and you know DK Metcalf doesn't pull in anybody's fake hair three weeks beforehand screwing things up a little bit for everybody, including himself. That's the measuring stick because the Texans are they've only gotten, you know, one year more wiser on that side of the ball."
Ultimately, defeating Houston would signify genuine progress, proving that Pittsburgh's offensive overhaul can withstand top-tier defensive pressure when playoff seeding hangs in the balance.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Rich Eisen reveals the one game that will define the Steelers
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