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While the quarterbacks will likely get most of the attention going into next Monday night's Texans-Steelers matchup, the ball carriers on the field will be among the best in all of the National Football League.
Heinz Field in Pittsburgh will feature the AFC's top two rushers in Pittsburgh's Le'Veon Bell and the Texans own Arian Foster. The two have combined for over 1,000 rushing yards in the first six games of the 2014 season and trail only Dallas' DeMarco Murray for the overall league lead.
Bell, a second round pick (48th overall) in the 2013 NFL Draft, is off to torrid start for the Steelers. The 244-pound back has 542 rushing yards so far, and is averaging 5.2 yards a carry. That total is the most yards rushing for a Steeler through the first six games of the season since 2007. Bell also has 28 catches on the year, making him a dual threat for the Texans defense to account for. The former Michigan State star is also capable of going the distance, having peeled off an 81-yard run earlier this year.
On the other sideline, Foster comes in on a roll, having ran for 100 yards in the past two games. Against the Colts, Foster scored his 50th career rushing touchdown in just his 64th career game. According to the Texans weekly release, among the 72 players in NFL history with 50 or more rushing touchdowns, only five have done so at a faster rate than Foster over the course of their careers. Foster's five rushing touchdowns this season also lead the AFC.
Both teams are in the top 10 in the NFL in rushing, so expect more of the same on Monday night.
