Pittsburgh Steelers rookie linebacker Jack Sawyer knows firsthand how dangerous Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud can be.
Sawyer and Stroud were college teammates for two seasons at Ohio State from 2021-22. On Monday night, it will be Sawyer’s job to help the Steelers (10-7) keep Stroud in check when they host the Texans (12-5) in an AFC Wild Card playoff game at Acrisure Stadium.
"I love C.J.," said Sawyer. "He was a phenomenal leader, great guy, good teammate, obviously a really good player. And he's a competitor. I think that's the one thing that's always stuck out to me about C.J., he wants to win. And so, when you're going up against a guy like that, you've got to throw everything at him and kind of make him second-guess and not be on time. Because when he's on time and on rhythm, he's one of the best to do it. So, I'm looking forward to it.”
Despite missing three games this season with a concussion, Stroud has completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 3,041 yards and 19 touchdowns with eight interceptions. While the Texans lead the NFL in total defense and are second in scoring defense, the Steelers are wary about what Stroud and the offense can do despite being 18th in the league in total yardage.
Wide receiver Nico Collins has 71 receptions for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns. Tight end Dalton Schultz has a team-high 82 catches for 777 and three scores. The Texans also have a solid running back tandem in Woody Marks (703 rushing yards) and Nick Chubb (506).
Should something happen to Stroud, the Texans have a quality backup quarterback in Davis Mills. The Texans are 3-0 this season when Mills starts.
The Steelers finished a disappointing 26th in total defense during the regular season. They would like to make amends for that in the postseason.
"Every time we hit the field, we're trying to be the best unit in football,” Sawyer said. “And as of late, we were playing better, making steps. We'll take a little step back, then keep going forward. Now in the playoffs, it's a good time for us to put our best stuff out there every play. And what an opportunity we've got against a good defense like Houston to stack ourselves against the best.”