January 12, 2026 • 10 mins
Monday on The A-Team, Jonathan Alexander from the Houston Chronicle joins the show to share his thoughts on the Texans' WildCard matchup with the Steelers. Will weather be a factor? Be sure to listen to the interview for the full breakdown.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Yeah, I mean it's a little bit cold, but it's
nothing that you know, a lot of people haven't experienced before.
It's definitely not as cold as how Kansas City was
earlier in the.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Season and last year, and that was bad. But seems
like it's manageable to me.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Only one other weather related postseason related question out of
the gate here for you, Jonathan, considering what started last
Sunday night, first with Boswell, then with Tyler Loop and
apparently is going to continue through the wild Card round
because kickers have been missing lots of kicks this postseason,
how do you think, if anything, and it's impossible to
(00:37):
predict in that stadium, the weather might impact maybe some
decision making because the Texans attempted more fuels than anybody
in the NFL, most of them were climate controlled attempts,
but that obviously will not be the case tonight.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Yeah. I figured if it's a super deep kick City
five plays then and something is on the line, I'd
figured that the tective wouldn't try to make that case,
or if they have to, they would, But I don't
see it really affecting Chinese Fairban. He's been in a
lot of these moments. He has made a lot of
game winning silvos. So while it's affected the other people,
(01:13):
I don't see it effected the section.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Jalen Reid was, as expected, put on the active roster
in advance of tonight's game, practiced in full essentially throughout
the week, coming off of IR for the second time
this year. They have had an ever changing lineup of
players at that other spot in the secondary, that other
safety spot all year. What kind of role do you
think is destined for him tonight? The rookie who obviously
they liked, got in a bunch of work in between
(01:36):
those two I are stints, and this again is an
arm injury he's returning from, so presumably they're not any
really concerned health wise about him.
Speaker 4 (01:44):
But what kind of role do you think he has
in line for him tonight?
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Yeah, I assume he'll get a ton of times. I mean,
just because of the uncertainty they've had a safety, whether
that was the injury to and they two earlier in
the year, Jimmy Warren not playing, and then a couple
of guys the practice squad, guys who really haven't played
well by Frankly, So you know, I believe that Jenden Reid.
If he's not starting, it'll get playing Commas Trump at
(02:09):
some point because they want somebody who can play well,
who they trust, and Dalan Reed was really starting to
do that mid season when he.
Speaker 5 (02:17):
Began to start talking to Jonathan Alexander. He covers the
Texans for the Houston Chronicle. Pittsburgh is the site Texans
Steelers is the matchup tonight to wind down what has
been a wildly entertaining wild card weekend.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
Here to start twenty twenty six, it's.
Speaker 5 (02:34):
Easy to just say, well, this is going to be
about the Texans elite defense against the perhaps more cerebral
than ever before, Aaron Rodgers, because that's how he's got
to get the job done at the age of forty one.
Is that kind of how you see this matchup or
how do you how do you envision it going down
given the strengths and weaknesses of both these squads.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Yeah, I do think it's all about the Texans in
many respects. I think they're more talented team than this Steelers.
I think this was the ideal matchup they wanted. But
you know, obviously I think they have to win the
turnover battle. I don't think Shroud can throw interceptions and
give more possession to the Steelers to take chances. I
think that the Texans defense has to do what they've
(03:16):
done all year and take away to football too, So
I think those are the key to the game. But
I don't think to me that just says it's all
about the Technicans, because they're just a much better team
than what the Steelers are.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Assumption is that Trent Brown not only is returning, but
he's returning to a starting spot, bumping Titus Howard back inside.
He tell me if you don't believe that's going to
be the case. With Blake Fisher is a back to
tackle eligible, Maybe Jared Patterson's available if needed if things
don't work out with Trent Brown. But assuming that's the
way they go, how do you feel like they will
hold up against what is probably a little bit underrated
(03:51):
Steelers front, because I think people think TJ. Watten don't
realize he maybe is their third most effective player this year,
and that's not even bringing up Cam Hayward both. How
do you think they'll hold up against them from a
pass blocking perspective? And similarly, do you think Woody Marx
and or Nick Chubb without Juar Jordan can successfully move
the football on the ground.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Yeah. See, that's the thing. The Steelers probably have arguably
one of the best defensive lines at this point. So
it's not just their head dressers. And while Alex Heissmith
and TJ. Why are phenomenal players, especially TJ Y, you know,
they got some big guys up the middle, and I
think for that reason they'll need Tyus Towers at left guard,
which I expect him to play. I think they have
(04:34):
enough trust in Tran Brown. He's experienced, he's won a
Super Bowl, He's a massive human being. He's not easy
to go yet he hasn't made a ton of mistakes.
And then got Arianta Ursiery, who he is the future
that left tackle, and while he's made some mistakes, he's
held his own and he's done a good job for
a rookie. So, you know, I fully expect that certain
offensive line group to play together, and they haven't given
(04:56):
up a sack in three games, and that should give
them some confidence moving forward.
Speaker 4 (04:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (05:00):
The fact that they have kept CJ upright, the fact
that that was such a sticking point earlier in this year,
and the fact that CJ missed three games that concussion.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
All of that factors into things.
Speaker 5 (05:12):
I mean, CJ's saying all the right things and it's
been I guess uneven this year in year three for him,
but he's he's kind of hard to read in that
way because he always kind of seems to say the
right things. What do you think his mindset is going
into facing specifically that kind of defense on top of
this just being year three where he's looking to add
(05:32):
to his total of playoff wins.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Yeah, I think some of the struggles early on with
the offense that he's new guys were figuring out. It's
put a lot of responsibility on the wide receivers to
be on the same page with c J. Stroud and
you know, the rookies Jaden Higgins and Darren all had
to get to DestinE. But that's why a CJ. Stroud goes.
You know, I wrote a story addicts who's ave interview
with him last week and wrote a story about it.
(05:57):
And he's probably the most confident he's ever been. I mean,
he's comfortable and that offense is coming together. The offensive
line is protecting him, and we know when offensive line
protect him, well, he's one of the better quarterbacks in
the league. So you know, if the office of line
to protect him, I fully expect him to have a
good game. And you know, he seems to be built
for these moments, especially these first round games. So you know,
(06:20):
I say TV trying to play well.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
So in that article you wrote if you guys missed it,
obviously it's there to via the Houston Chronicle. Do you
think that they look he looks at this game more
like it's our first game, it's our wildcard game. We've
dominated in our wildcard games. I've played well enough for
us to win in our wildcard games. Or now we're
on the road in the postseason. Went to Baltimore and
played a good half, not a good second half. Went
(06:44):
to Kansas City. We're in the game, but it really
wasn't a one score game. We didn't fare very well.
Do they look at it more like this is our
wildcard game, this is what we win already we know
we can, or we're playing out to wearing the elements
on the road and it hasn't gone well well.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
You know, I think with a lot of playoff teams,
you know a lot of times it's their first especially
road teams. You know, it's their first foray in the playoffs,
so there might be nerves there and that's why the
home helps them. But I think with the Texans, they've
been to the playoffs the past two years. They know,
you know what it's about. C. Stroud and knows what
(07:20):
it about. He's been in these moments and they won
road games in their nine game winning streak. I think
winning at Kansas City probably relieve some of the pressure
that they would have had. And you if you go
to that game, they didn't look like they were feeling
that pressure. So I think they'll take on the mindset
of let's take this one game at the time. That's
what they did during that nice game winning streak and
(07:42):
it paid off for them. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (07:43):
I think it's interesting that, you know, some of the
national prognosticators have talked about how the Texans defense and
the Texans in general struggle away from home and they
can't win in cold weather game and they're like completely
overlooking that game in Kansas City. And I know this
wasn't Kansas that he sees him, but Mahomes was out
there that night and they were the reason why he
(08:05):
could not do his usual Mahomes stuff.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Absolutely. Now, I just think sometimes when people look at
records and say, oh, they haven't won, blah blah blah,
I just think they totally missed the context of it.
You look at the Textans two losses in the playoffs
last year, they were going to get better teams. So
I think that context should be added as well. And
in many of the Texans losses in the Division round
(08:30):
have been teams that are better than them, so it's
not like they've been upset a lot, so context is needed.
I think context in this situation. I still think the
Textans are the favors here despite the weather elements, despite
where they're playing.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
Yeah, I think that's a huge part of it.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
Talking with Jonathan Alexander of the Houston Chronicle beat writer,
for the Texans, they just are the better team. There's
a reason why they came into this game favor they're
on the road, they won more games, two more games.
They they are the better team. And that is unlike
what happened in Baltimore, Ark Kansas City. We found out
the Pro Bowl selections not too long ago there were
seven different Texans defensive players that drew votes and you
(09:07):
only vote for first and second team, and that's how
talented this defense is who's the player you think's most
important if you only pick an individual, and who's the
player you think does their jobs so well tonight to
help ensure the defense plays well.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Yeah, I'm looking at Kamari Laster. You can just tell
the drop off and play when he's playing and when
he's not playing, and he gets a lot of the
attention because quarterbacks are shown to be a little bit
afraid to thill on their singleer side, And that opened
up our opportunities for Kamario last year. And I think
he's been significantly better at pass cubs. Not that he
(09:46):
was bad last year. He was really good last year.
This year he's just been at an elite love when
he's the best tackling cornerback in the league. I really
believe he's a TOX six cornerback and he got voted
seventh best among cornerbacks, So I think he's really important.
I think we under still is important.
Speaker 5 (10:04):
Well, we got to ask you before we let you go,
what do you think is going to happen to night
you're there. You kind of have as good a feel
for it as anybody because you're actually in the building.
Speaker 4 (10:12):
How do you think this one turns out.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
Yeah, I could easily see it being closed. I mean,
TJ Y and alex I spent a really good Addressers.
They can the Steelers can stop the run, but I
just would worry about the Steelers secondary, and I think
Texans offense can still have a good game against them,
and their defense is going to make things tough for
Aaron Rodbers. I just don't see this version of Aaron
(10:35):
Roders beating the Texans defense.
Speaker 5 (10:37):
There you have it, Johnson Alexander in Pittsburgh. He's with
the Houston Chronicle. He's with us here. We appreciate the time,
enjoy the Steel City, and hopefully you're headed to New
England next week.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Absolutely thanks for having me
Yeah, I mean it's a little bit cold, but it's
nothing that you know, a lot of people haven't experienced before.
It's definitely not as cold as how Kansas City was
earlier in the.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Season and last year, and that was bad. But seems
like it's manageable to me.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Only one other weather related postseason related question out of
the gate here for you, Jonathan, considering what started last
Sunday night, first with Boswell, then with Tyler Loop and
apparently is going to continue through the wild Card round
because kickers have been missing lots of kicks this postseason,
how do you think, if anything, and it's impossible to
(00:37):
predict in that stadium, the weather might impact maybe some
decision making because the Texans attempted more fuels than anybody
in the NFL, most of them were climate controlled attempts,
but that obviously will not be the case tonight.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Yeah. I figured if it's a super deep kick City
five plays then and something is on the line, I'd
figured that the tective wouldn't try to make that case,
or if they have to, they would, But I don't
see it really affecting Chinese Fairban. He's been in a
lot of these moments. He has made a lot of
game winning silvos. So while it's affected the other people,
(01:13):
I don't see it effected the section.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Jalen Reid was, as expected, put on the active roster
in advance of tonight's game, practiced in full essentially throughout
the week, coming off of IR for the second time
this year. They have had an ever changing lineup of
players at that other spot in the secondary, that other
safety spot all year. What kind of role do you
think is destined for him tonight? The rookie who obviously
they liked, got in a bunch of work in between
(01:36):
those two I are stints, and this again is an
arm injury he's returning from, so presumably they're not any
really concerned health wise about him.
Speaker 4 (01:44):
But what kind of role do you think he has
in line for him tonight?
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Yeah, I assume he'll get a ton of times. I mean,
just because of the uncertainty they've had a safety, whether
that was the injury to and they two earlier in
the year, Jimmy Warren not playing, and then a couple
of guys the practice squad, guys who really haven't played
well by Frankly, So you know, I believe that Jenden Reid.
If he's not starting, it'll get playing Commas Trump at
(02:09):
some point because they want somebody who can play well,
who they trust, and Dalan Reed was really starting to
do that mid season when he.
Speaker 5 (02:17):
Began to start talking to Jonathan Alexander. He covers the
Texans for the Houston Chronicle. Pittsburgh is the site Texans
Steelers is the matchup tonight to wind down what has
been a wildly entertaining wild card weekend.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
Here to start twenty twenty six, it's.
Speaker 5 (02:34):
Easy to just say, well, this is going to be
about the Texans elite defense against the perhaps more cerebral
than ever before, Aaron Rodgers, because that's how he's got
to get the job done at the age of forty one.
Is that kind of how you see this matchup or
how do you how do you envision it going down
given the strengths and weaknesses of both these squads.
Speaker 2 (02:54):
Yeah, I do think it's all about the Texans in
many respects. I think they're more talented team than this Steelers.
I think this was the ideal matchup they wanted. But
you know, obviously I think they have to win the
turnover battle. I don't think Shroud can throw interceptions and
give more possession to the Steelers to take chances. I
think that the Texans defense has to do what they've
(03:16):
done all year and take away to football too, So
I think those are the key to the game. But
I don't think to me that just says it's all
about the Technicans, because they're just a much better team
than what the Steelers are.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Assumption is that Trent Brown not only is returning, but
he's returning to a starting spot, bumping Titus Howard back inside.
He tell me if you don't believe that's going to
be the case. With Blake Fisher is a back to
tackle eligible, Maybe Jared Patterson's available if needed if things
don't work out with Trent Brown. But assuming that's the
way they go, how do you feel like they will
hold up against what is probably a little bit underrated
(03:51):
Steelers front, because I think people think TJ. Watten don't
realize he maybe is their third most effective player this year,
and that's not even bringing up Cam Hayward both. How
do you think they'll hold up against them from a
pass blocking perspective? And similarly, do you think Woody Marx
and or Nick Chubb without Juar Jordan can successfully move
the football on the ground.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Yeah. See, that's the thing. The Steelers probably have arguably
one of the best defensive lines at this point. So
it's not just their head dressers. And while Alex Heissmith
and TJ. Why are phenomenal players, especially TJ Y, you know,
they got some big guys up the middle, and I
think for that reason they'll need Tyus Towers at left guard,
which I expect him to play. I think they have
(04:34):
enough trust in Tran Brown. He's experienced, he's won a
Super Bowl, He's a massive human being. He's not easy
to go yet he hasn't made a ton of mistakes.
And then got Arianta Ursiery, who he is the future
that left tackle, and while he's made some mistakes, he's
held his own and he's done a good job for
a rookie. So, you know, I fully expect that certain
offensive line group to play together, and they haven't given
(04:56):
up a sack in three games, and that should give
them some confidence moving forward.
Speaker 4 (04:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (05:00):
The fact that they have kept CJ upright, the fact
that that was such a sticking point earlier in this year,
and the fact that CJ missed three games that concussion.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
All of that factors into things.
Speaker 5 (05:12):
I mean, CJ's saying all the right things and it's
been I guess uneven this year in year three for him,
but he's he's kind of hard to read in that
way because he always kind of seems to say the
right things. What do you think his mindset is going
into facing specifically that kind of defense on top of
this just being year three where he's looking to add
(05:32):
to his total of playoff wins.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Yeah, I think some of the struggles early on with
the offense that he's new guys were figuring out. It's
put a lot of responsibility on the wide receivers to
be on the same page with c J. Stroud and
you know, the rookies Jaden Higgins and Darren all had
to get to DestinE. But that's why a CJ. Stroud goes.
You know, I wrote a story addicts who's ave interview
with him last week and wrote a story about it.
(05:57):
And he's probably the most confident he's ever been. I mean,
he's comfortable and that offense is coming together. The offensive
line is protecting him, and we know when offensive line
protect him, well, he's one of the better quarterbacks in
the league. So you know, if the office of line
to protect him, I fully expect him to have a
good game. And you know, he seems to be built
for these moments, especially these first round games. So you know,
(06:20):
I say TV trying to play well.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
So in that article you wrote if you guys missed it,
obviously it's there to via the Houston Chronicle. Do you
think that they look he looks at this game more
like it's our first game, it's our wildcard game. We've
dominated in our wildcard games. I've played well enough for
us to win in our wildcard games. Or now we're
on the road in the postseason. Went to Baltimore and
played a good half, not a good second half. Went
(06:44):
to Kansas City. We're in the game, but it really
wasn't a one score game. We didn't fare very well.
Do they look at it more like this is our
wildcard game, this is what we win already we know
we can, or we're playing out to wearing the elements
on the road and it hasn't gone well well.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
You know, I think with a lot of playoff teams,
you know a lot of times it's their first especially
road teams. You know, it's their first foray in the playoffs,
so there might be nerves there and that's why the
home helps them. But I think with the Texans, they've
been to the playoffs the past two years. They know,
you know what it's about. C. Stroud and knows what
(07:20):
it about. He's been in these moments and they won
road games in their nine game winning streak. I think
winning at Kansas City probably relieve some of the pressure
that they would have had. And you if you go
to that game, they didn't look like they were feeling
that pressure. So I think they'll take on the mindset
of let's take this one game at the time. That's
what they did during that nice game winning streak and
(07:42):
it paid off for them. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (07:43):
I think it's interesting that, you know, some of the
national prognosticators have talked about how the Texans defense and
the Texans in general struggle away from home and they
can't win in cold weather game and they're like completely
overlooking that game in Kansas City. And I know this
wasn't Kansas that he sees him, but Mahomes was out
there that night and they were the reason why he
(08:05):
could not do his usual Mahomes stuff.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Absolutely. Now, I just think sometimes when people look at
records and say, oh, they haven't won, blah blah blah,
I just think they totally missed the context of it.
You look at the Textans two losses in the playoffs
last year, they were going to get better teams. So
I think that context should be added as well. And
in many of the Texans losses in the Division round
(08:30):
have been teams that are better than them, so it's
not like they've been upset a lot, so context is needed.
I think context in this situation. I still think the
Textans are the favors here despite the weather elements, despite
where they're playing.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
Yeah, I think that's a huge part of it.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
Talking with Jonathan Alexander of the Houston Chronicle beat writer,
for the Texans, they just are the better team. There's
a reason why they came into this game favor they're
on the road, they won more games, two more games.
They they are the better team. And that is unlike
what happened in Baltimore, Ark Kansas City. We found out
the Pro Bowl selections not too long ago there were
seven different Texans defensive players that drew votes and you
(09:07):
only vote for first and second team, and that's how
talented this defense is who's the player you think's most
important if you only pick an individual, and who's the
player you think does their jobs so well tonight to
help ensure the defense plays well.
Speaker 2 (09:23):
Yeah, I'm looking at Kamari Laster. You can just tell
the drop off and play when he's playing and when
he's not playing, and he gets a lot of the
attention because quarterbacks are shown to be a little bit
afraid to thill on their singleer side, And that opened
up our opportunities for Kamario last year. And I think
he's been significantly better at pass cubs. Not that he
(09:46):
was bad last year. He was really good last year.
This year he's just been at an elite love when
he's the best tackling cornerback in the league. I really
believe he's a TOX six cornerback and he got voted
seventh best among cornerbacks, So I think he's really important.
I think we under still is important.
Speaker 5 (10:04):
Well, we got to ask you before we let you go,
what do you think is going to happen to night
you're there. You kind of have as good a feel
for it as anybody because you're actually in the building.
Speaker 4 (10:12):
How do you think this one turns out.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
Yeah, I could easily see it being closed. I mean,
TJ Y and alex I spent a really good Addressers.
They can the Steelers can stop the run, but I
just would worry about the Steelers secondary, and I think
Texans offense can still have a good game against them,
and their defense is going to make things tough for
Aaron Rodbers. I just don't see this version of Aaron
(10:35):
Roders beating the Texans defense.
Speaker 5 (10:37):
There you have it, Johnson Alexander in Pittsburgh. He's with
the Houston Chronicle. He's with us here. We appreciate the time,
enjoy the Steel City, and hopefully you're headed to New
England next week.
Speaker 2 (10:48):
Absolutely thanks for having me
Popular Podcasts
Two Guys, Five Rings: Matt, Bowen & The Olympics
Two Guys (Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers). Five Rings (you know, from the Olympics logo). One essential podcast for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Bowen Yang (SNL, Wicked) and Matt Rogers (Palm Royale, No Good Deed) of Las Culturistas are back for a second season of Two Guys, Five Rings, a collaboration with NBC Sports and iHeartRadio. In this 15-episode event, Bowen and Matt discuss the top storylines, obsess over Italian culture, and find out what really goes on in the Olympic Village.
iHeartOlympics: The Latest
Listen to the latest news from the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Milan Cortina Winter Olympics
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina are here and have everyone talking. iHeartPodcasts is buzzing with content in honor of the XXV Winter Olympics We’re bringing you episodes from a variety of iHeartPodcast shows to help you keep up with the action. Follow Milan Cortina Winter Olympics so you don’t miss any coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, and if you like what you hear, be sure to follow each Podcast in the feed for more great content from iHeartPodcasts.