The Houston Texans just walked into Acrisure Stadium and basically dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It wasn't pretty. Honestly, for the first three quarters, it felt like a classic, grinding defensive struggle that could go either way. Then the fourth quarter happened. Houston exploded for 23 points in the final frame, leaving Pittsburgh fans stunned and Mike Tomlin answering the same questions about postseason droughts that have followed him for years.
The Houston Texans won 30-6, securing the franchise's first-ever road playoff victory.
If you just looked at the box score this morning, you might think C.J. Stroud put on a clinic. He didn’t. He was actually kinda shaky early on. He fumbled five times—losing two of them—and tossed an interception. But the real story of Houston Texans vs Pittsburgh Steelers wasn't the offense. It was a terrifyingly efficient Houston defense that scored more touchdowns in the fourth quarter than the entire Pittsburgh roster did all night.
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Why the Steelers' Offense Crumbled
Aaron Rodgers looked every bit of 42 years old out there.
There’s no other way to put it. Behind a shaky offensive line, Rodgers was sacked four times and looked constantly under duress. His final stat line—146 yards and a late pick-six—is a far cry from the MVP form Pittsburgh hoped they were buying when they signed him to that one-year deal.
The turning point was brutal. With Houston leading only 10-6 early in the fourth, Will Anderson Jr. got home on a third-and-11. He jarred the ball loose from Rodgers. Sheldon Rankins scooped it up and rumbled 33 yards for a touchdown. You could literally feel the air leave the stadium.
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It’s the seventh straight playoff loss for the Steelers. That ties Marvin Lewis for the longest postseason losing streak by a head coach in NFL history. For a franchise that prides itself on stability and "The Standard," that is a staggering statistic.
The Texans' Defense Ruled the Day
While everyone talks about Stroud, the Houston defense is the reason they are moving on to Foxborough to face the Patriots. They held Pittsburgh to a measly 175 total yards.
- Woody Marks provided the offensive dagger with a 13-yard touchdown run late.
- Calen Bullock capped the night with a 50-yard interception return for a score.
- Christian Kirk was the lone bright spot in the passing game, hauling in 8 catches for 144 yards.
Interestingly, this loss also snapped a legendary streak. Pittsburgh had won 23 straight home games on Monday night. That run dated back to 1991. To see it end in a playoff setting, in such a lopsided fashion, feels like the end of an era for this specific iteration of the Steelers.
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Looking Ahead to the Divisional Round
So, what happens now? Houston is officially the team nobody wants to play. They have a "bend but don't break" mentality that clearly shifts into a "break the opponent" gear when the game is on the line.
If you're following the bracket, the road only gets tougher. Houston travels to face the No. 2 seeded New England Patriots this Sunday at 3:00 PM ET. The Patriots are coming off a dominant 16-3 win over the Chargers, so we’re looking at a collision between two of the best defensive units in the AFC.
For the Steelers, the offseason started the second Bullock crossed that goal line. The big question is obviously Aaron Rodgers. When asked if he’d be back in 2026, he was non-committal. "I'm not gonna talk about that," he told reporters. Given the way that game ended—with him trying and failing to tackle a defensive back on a pick-six—it wouldn't be surprising if that was the last time we see No. 8 in a helmet.
Your Post-Game Action Plan
If you're tracking your playoff pools or just trying to stay ahead of the curve for the Divisional Round, here are a few things to keep an eye on:
- Monitor the Injury Report: Nico Collins left the game for a concussion evaluation and didn't return. Houston's offense is a different beast without him.
- Watch the Line Movement: Early consensus will likely favor the Patriots at home, but Houston’s defensive scoring ability makes them a dangerous underdog.
- Check the Weather: Sunday in Foxborough in mid-January is rarely pleasant. If it’s a snow game, Houston's reliance on the run game with Woody Marks becomes even more critical.
The Wild Card round is officially in the books. Now the real chaos begins.