If you’re waking up this morning, grabbing your Terrible Towel, and checking the TV listings to see do the Pittsburgh Steelers play this weekend, I’ve got some tough news. You can put the jersey back in the closet for now.
The Steelers are officially done for the season.
Honestly, it’s a weird feeling in Pittsburgh right now. Usually, this time of year is filled with playoff anxiety and late-night debates about defensive schemes, but the locker rooms at Acrisure Stadium are already being cleared out. If you missed the chaos of the last few days, you've actually missed one of the most historic weeks in the franchise’s history.
The Wild Card Disaster That Ended Everything
The answer to whether the Steelers play today is a hard "no" because of what happened this past Monday, January 12, 2026.
Pittsburgh hosted the Houston Texans in a Wild Card matchup that felt like it was going to be a classic. The city was electric. The Steelers had just clawed their way to an AFC North title with a gritty win over Baltimore in Week 18. They had the home-field advantage. They had the momentum.
Then the game started.
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It wasn't just a loss; it was a 30-6 demolition. C.J. Stroud and the Texans didn't just win; they essentially ended an era. The Steelers' offense looked stuck in neutral, and for the first time in a long time, the defense didn't have an answer for Houston’s speed. That loss snapped a legendary 23-game home winning streak on Monday nights for Pittsburgh.
So, while the Texans are moving on to face the New England Patriots today, Sunday, January 18, the Steelers are at home watching from the couch like the rest of us.
Why Do the Pittsburgh Steelers Play This Weekend Is Trending?
It's actually pretty common for fans to be confused this week. The NFL Divisional Round is happening right now, and because the Steelers were the No. 4 seed, many people assumed they’d still be in the mix.
Usually, the No. 4 seed has a decent shot at home, but the 2026 AFC bracket was a total meat grinder. Here is how the weekend schedule looks for the teams that did survive:
- Saturday, Jan 17: The Denver Broncos narrowly escaped the Buffalo Bills (33-30), and the Seattle Seahawks dominated the 49ers.
- Sunday, Jan 18 (Today): The Houston Texans take on the New England Patriots at 3:00 PM ET. Later tonight, the Rams face the Bears at 6:30 PM.
If things had gone differently on Monday night, Pittsburgh would be in Foxborough right now preparing to face the Patriots. Instead, that spot belongs to Houston.
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The End of the Mike Tomlin Era
If the playoff loss wasn't enough of a gut punch, the fallout has been even bigger.
The biggest reason you aren't seeing a game today is that the organization is in total upheaval. After 19 seasons, the Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin have officially parted ways. It’s the kind of news that stops people in the street in Western PA.
Tomlin never had a losing season for nearly two decades, but the lack of playoff success over the last nine years finally reached a breaking point. The 30-6 blowout at home was the final straw.
Now, instead of game-planning for the Patriots, Art Rooney II and the front office are beginning an exhaustive search for a new leader. There's been a ton of talk about Indiana’s Curt Cignetti, though he recently shut those rumors down, saying he’s "not an NFL guy."
What Happens Next?
So, the Steelers aren't playing. What should you do?
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Basically, the "Next Man Up" philosophy now applies to the front office. The 2026 offseason is going to be the most significant one since 2007. We’re talking about a complete coaching staff overhaul and likely a roster reset.
Even though they're out, we already know who they'll face in 2026. The schedule is set, even if the dates aren't. They’ll have their usual AFC North rivals, plus home games against the Broncos, Texans, and Falcons.
Your Actionable Offseason Checklist:
- Watch the Divisional Games: If you want to see who eventually wins the AFC, keep an eye on Texans vs. Patriots today. It’ll show you exactly how far the Steelers have to go to compete with the conference elite.
- Follow the Coaching Search: This is the real "game" now. Keep tabs on names like Ben Johnson or any high-level defensive coordinators the Steelers might target.
- Check the Draft Order: With the loss, the Steelers’ draft position is locked in. It’s time to start looking at offensive line depth or perhaps a future-facing quarterback move.
It’s a bummer not having a game to watch today, but in a way, the "Steelers football" we're used to is undergoing a massive transformation. The team doesn't play this weekend, and honestly, they might not look the same the next time they do.
Keep an eye on the NFL news cycle this evening; while the Steelers aren't on the field, the moves they make in the next 48 hours will define the next decade of Pittsburgh football.