The Houston Texans just walked into Acrisure Stadium and completely dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It wasn't even close.
Honestly, if you turned the game off at halftime, you probably thought we were in for a classic AFC defensive slugfest. It was 7-6. Both teams were grinding. But then the fourth quarter happened, and the Texans' "SWARM" defense didn't just show up—it took over the entire building.
Who won last monday night football game and how it happened
The Houston Texans won last monday night football game with a final score of 30-6, officially ending the Steelers' Wild Card dreams and potentially the career of a legend. This wasn't just a win; it was a statement. Coming into this game, the Steelers had a 23-game home winning streak on Monday Night Football. That’s gone now.
Pittsburgh looked like they had a plan early on. Aaron Rodgers, at 42 years old, was moving the ball decently in the first half. He even led a 58-yard drive that looked like the Rodgers of old. But the Texans' defense is a different breed this year. They are fast, they are mean, and they are incredibly disciplined under DeMeco Ryans.
The game broke wide open in the fourth quarter. It started with a nightmare play for Pittsburgh: Will Anderson Jr. got home on a sack, the ball popped loose, and Sheldon Rankins scooped it up for a 33-yard touchdown. You could feel the air leave the stadium. Suddenly, a 10-6 nail-biter was a 17-6 mountain to climb.
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The defensive masterclass in Pittsburgh
Most people think the Texans won because of C.J. Stroud. Look, Stroud is great, but he actually struggled a bit early on. He fumbled five times (though he only lost two) and threw a pick. He was human.
The real reason the Houston Texans won last monday night football game was the defense. They held the Steelers to 175 total yards. Let that sink in for a second. In a playoff game, with the season on the line, Pittsburgh couldn't even break 200 yards of offense. They went 2-for-14 on third downs.
- Sacks: Rodgers was sacked four times.
- Takeaways: Two defensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter alone.
- The Dagger: Calen Bullock's 50-yard pick-six with less than three minutes left.
That interception by Bullock might have been the last pass Aaron Rodgers ever throws in the NFL. It was a somber sight watching him sit on the bench afterward, just staring into space. Mike Tomlin’s postseason losing streak now sits at seven games, tying him with Marvin Lewis for the longest such streak in league history. That is a tough pill for the City of Bridges to swallow.
Why the Texans are actually dangerous now
Basically, the Texans proved they can win ugly. In the past, this franchise needed Stroud to throw for 350 yards to have a chance. Not anymore. They went on an 11-play, 87-yard drive late in the game that featured nine runs. Nine! Rookie Woody Marks capped it off with a 13-yard score.
They are balanced. They are physical. And they are currently on a 10-game winning streak.
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It’s also their first road playoff win in franchise history. Before Monday, they were 0-6 on the road in the postseason. They didn't just break a curse; they shattered it with a hammer.
What this means for the Divisional Round
Since the Houston Texans won last monday night football game, the bracket is finally set. Houston is heading to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots. That’s going to be a fascinating matchup of two elite defensive units.
If you’re looking at the betting lines or just trying to figure out if this Texans run is for real, keep an eye on their pressure rate. They pressured Rodgers on nearly 46% of his dropbacks. If they do that to Drake Maye next week, the Patriots are in for a long afternoon.
The Steelers, on the other hand, enter an offseason of total uncertainty. Does Rodgers retire? Does the front office finally look at the Mike Tomlin era and wonder if a change is needed? Tomlin said post-game that "words are cheap," and he's right. Seven straight playoff losses is a pattern, not a fluke.
For those of you tracking the rest of the league, here is where we stand heading into the Divisional matchups:
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The Buffalo Bills will travel to Denver to face the top-seeded Broncos on Saturday. Meanwhile, in the NFC, we get a massive rivalry game with the San Francisco 49ers visiting the Seattle Seahawks. The Chicago Bears, coming off a miracle comeback against Green Bay, will host the Rams on Sunday.
The Texans are no longer the "happy to be here" team. They are a defensive juggernaut that just ruined a legend's potential farewell.
To keep your edge for the Divisional Round, focus on the turnover margins for these road teams. Houston won because they capitalized on every single Pittsburgh mistake. In the playoffs, that’s usually the only stat that matters. Check the injury reports for the Texans' offensive line before the New England game, as Stroud's early fumbles were partly due to interior pressure that will be even more intense against the Patriots' front.
Monitor the weather for Foxborough on Sunday, as the Texans' newfound rushing attack with Woody Marks will be the deciding factor if it's a "snow bowl" type of environment.