http://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Three-game-balls-for-Texans-Steelers-12454674.php
Three game balls for Texans-Steelers
Published 6:49 pm, Monday, December 25, 2017
Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) catches a pass for a touchdown as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (21) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
lessHouston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) catches a pass for a touchdown as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (21) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, in
... morePittsburgh Steelers defensive back Greg Ducre (38) is tripped up by Houston Texans free safety Kurtis Drummond (23) and inside linebacker Dylan Cole (51) in the Texans 34-6 loss to the Steelers in an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )
lessPittsburgh Steelers defensive back Greg Ducre (38) is tripped up by Houston Texans free safety Kurtis Drummond (23) and inside linebacker Dylan Cole (51) in the Texans 34-6 loss to the Steelers in an NFL
... moreHouston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates walks off the field after the Texans 34-6 loss to the Steelers in an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates walks off the field after the Texans 34-6 loss to the Steelers in an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston
... moreHouston Texans running back Alfred Blue (28) is stopped short of the goal line by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Sean Spence (51) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Texans running back Alfred Blue (28) is stopped short of the goal line by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Sean Spence (51) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on Monday, Dec.
... moreHouston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates (2) leaves the sidelines after being taken from the field after he was sacked during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Texans quarterback T.J. Yates (2) leaves the sidelines after being taken from the field after he was sacked during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG
... moreHouston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) can't reach a pass in the end zone as he is defended by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (21) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) can't reach a pass in the end zone as he is defended by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (21) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at NRG
... moreHouston Texans wide receiver Braxton Miller (13) stretches the football toward the goal line as he is tackled short of the goal line by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Sean Spence (51) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Texans wide receiver Braxton Miller (13) stretches the football toward the goal line as he is tackled short of the goal line by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Sean Spence (51) during the second quarter
... morePittsburgh Steelers cornerback Artie Burns (25) intercepts a pass in the endzone intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller (15) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )
lessPittsburgh Steelers cornerback Artie Burns (25) intercepts a pass in the endzone intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller (15) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on
... moreHouston Texans running back Alfred Blue (28) is stopped short of the goal line by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Sean Spence (51) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Texans running back Alfred Blue (28) is stopped short of the goal line by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Sean Spence (51) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on Monday, Dec.
... moreHouston Texans offensive guard David Quessenberry (77) gives a thumbs up as walks off the field after the Texans 34-6 loss to the Steelers in an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, in Houston. Quessenberry played in his first NFL game after being diagnosed with cancer in his rookie year. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Texans offensive guard David Quessenberry (77) gives a thumbs up as walks off the field after the Texans 34-6 loss to the Steelers in an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, in
... moreHouston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien walks off the field after the Texans 34-6 loss to the Steelers in an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle )
lessHouston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien walks off the field after the Texans 34-6 loss to the Steelers in an NFL football game at NRG Stadium on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston
... moreThree game balls from the Texans' loss to the Steelers on Christmas:
DeAndre Hopkins, wide receiver
Working primarily against veteran cornerback Joe Haden with a safety shaded to his side, Hopkins was targeted only six times. He finished with four catches for 65 yards (16.3 average) and one touchdown. He made an outstanding, one-handed catch on the 3-yard touchdown pass from T.J. Yates in the corner of the end zone. It was Hopkins' league-best 13th touchdown. He also had a 38-yard reception.
David Quessenberry, guard
He played for the first time in a regular-season game since being promoted from the practice squad last week. Drafted in the sixth round out of San Jose State in 2013, Quessenberry spent his rookie season on injured reserve with a foot injury before fighting and winning a three-year battle against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Seeing him on the field should serve as inspiration for cancer patients everywhere.
Zach Cunningham, inside linebacker
The rookie second-round pick from Vanderbilt continues to improve. He did a terrific job in coverage, using his speed for breaking up passes and making quick tackles to keep the Steelers from getting yards after the catch. Late in the season, he's playing like an accomplished veteran. Cunningham finished with a game-high 10 tackles. He also made a game-high seven unassisted tackles.
