PREVIEW | Steelers vs. Texans

Records: Houston 3-9, Pittsburgh 7-4-1.
Time: 1 p.m.
TV/radio: KDKA (2); WICT-FM (95.1), WBBG-FM (106.1).
Series history: First meeting.
Last week: Texans lost to Colts 19-3; Steelers beat Jaguars 25-23.
Rankings: Texans offense (Rush 28, Pass 32, Overall 32); Texans defense (Rush 22, Pass 5, Overall 10); Steelers offense (Rush 9, Pass 6, Overall 4); Steelers defense (Rush 2, Pass 26, Overall 16).
Key matchup: Steelers QB Tommy Maddox vs. Steelers QB Kordell Stewart. Maddox, who replaced Stewart after Steelers' slow start, makes first start since being temporarily paralyzed by a hit at Tennessee on Nov. 17. Stewart played virtually error-free in two-plus games Maddox was out, completing 51 of 69 passes for 562 yards, three TDs and one INT and running for 135 yards. Coach Bill Cowher feels Maddox gives team better chance to make playoff run. It may not matter who starts this week against Texans.
Streaks, stats and notes: Texans have followed each victory this season with a bad performance. ... Houston QB David Carr has been sacked 64 times, eight short of NFL single-season record in 1986 by Randall Cunningham with Philadelphia. ... Carr has completed more than 50 percent of passes in nine of past 10 games. ... Steelers are 6-1-1 in last eight games and maintain 11/2-game lead in the AFC North. ... Three of Steelers' remaining four opponents have losing records. ... Jerome Bettis ran for 86 yards to reach 11,373 for career and pass John Riggins for 10th on NFL rushing list. ... Rookie PK Jeff Reed made all six field-goal attempts against Jaguars.