Are you excited to watch the Pittsburgh Steelers in action for the first time in the 2024 season? Well, you are in luck because the Steelers kick off their three-game preseason slate on Friday at home against the Houston Texans. Granted, most of the stars will either not play at all or see very limited action, but there is football tonight nonetheless.
Here is everything you need to know surrounding the Steelers vs. Texans Week 1 preseason game, including the channel, start time, live stream options, and more.
How to Watch Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers
- Start time: Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, 7 p.m. ET
- Channel: NFL Network
- Live stream options: NFL App, NFL+, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV
- Radio stations: SportsRadio 610, Steelers Audio Network
- Starting QBs: C.J. Stroud, Justin Fields
- Betting lines:
- Spread: PIT -1
- Total: 37.5
- Moneyline: PIT -110, HOU -110
The Steelers’ offense got a makeover over the offseason. Former offensive coordinator Matt Canada was dismissed after Week 11 last season and replaced in the offseason with Smith. Additionally, after Pittsburgh signed Russell Wilson, the franchise traded Kenny Pickett and a 2024 fourth-round pick (RB Jaylen Wright) to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2023 third-round pick (LB Payton Wilson) and two 2025 seventh-round selections.
That wasn’t the only move the Steelers made under center, as they also sent a conditional 2025 sixth-round pick to the Chicago Bears for Fields. That sixth-rounder could upgrade to a fourth-round pick if Fields plays 51% of snaps this season. Unless his performance in the preseason is vastly better than that of the Super Bowl winner and nine-time Pro Bowler, the plan is for Wilson to start.
It will be challenging, as Pittsburgh has doubled down on its WR group despite Diontae Johnson heading to the Carolina Panthers. George Pickens leads the group, with free agent Van Jefferson and third-year WR Calvin Austin III rounding out the top three. While TE Pat Freiermuth and RB Jaylen Warren have proven to boost the passing game, Pittsburgh needs someone to step up in the receiver room.
Pickens may get a couple of snaps, but expect the rest of the WR core to get a lot of action in the preseason as Pittsburgh attempts to figure out who will make the final 53 for the black and gold. The Steelers got stronger on the line in the 2024 NFL Draft while continuing to fine-tune a top-notch defense through free agency.
They brought in linebacker Patrick Queen from the Baltimore Ravens to pair with T.J. Watt, and they filled out the secondary with the signings of Donte Jackson and DeShon Elliott, among others. Head coach Mike Tomlin is making moves to get back to the top of the AFC North, but will they pay off in such a competitive division?
