The Pittsburgh Steelers had one of those streaks that felt destined to last forever. They hadn't lost a home game on Monday Night Football since 1992. Think about that for a second. Bill Clinton was just about to be elected. Gas was about a buck-fifteen. But on January 12, 2026, the Houston Texans didn’t just break that streak; they basically ran a bulldozer through it.
It was ugly.
Honestly, the results of Monday night football weren't just a win for Houston—it was a statement that the AFC hierarchy is shifting in real-time. If you looked at the scoreboard and saw 30-6, you might think it was a blowout from the start. It wasn't. For three quarters, it was a gritty, muddy, defensive slog that looked exactly like Pittsburgh playoff football is supposed to look. Then the fourth quarter happened. Houston dropped 23 points in the final period.
The S.W.A.R.M. That Stung Aaron Rodgers
DeMeco Ryans has built something special in Houston. They call it the S.W.A.R.M. defense, and they treated Aaron Rodgers like he was a rookie rather than a 42-year-old future Hall of Famer. Rodgers had his moments during the regular season, leading the Steelers to an AFC North title. But on Monday night, he looked every bit his age.
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The turning point was a play that will haunt Pittsburgh fans for years. Early in the fourth quarter, with the Texans leading only 10-6, the game was still very much up for grabs. On third-and-11, Will Anderson Jr. blasted through the line, hitting Rodgers and jarring the ball loose. Sheldon Rankins didn't just recover it; he snatched it out of the air and rumbled 33 yards for a touchdown.
The stadium went silent.
That 11-point lead felt like fifty. Why? Because the Steelers' offense was completely stuck in the mud. They finished the night with a measly 175 total yards. You simply can’t win playoff games in 2026 with that kind of production.
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Breaking Down the Numbers
- Total Offense: Houston 414 vs. Pittsburgh 175.
- Third Down Conversions: Pittsburgh went 2-for-14. That is catastrophic.
- Turnovers: The Texans' defense forced three of them, including two defensive touchdowns.
- Individual Brilliance: Woody Marks rushed for 112 yards, providing the balance C.J. Stroud needed.
Why the Steelers' Dynasty Feels Over
This was Mike Tomlin's seventh straight playoff loss. That's a heavy stat. It ties Marvin Lewis for the longest such streak in NFL history. For a coach with Tomlin's resume, it's a bitter pill to swallow. After the game, he was short with the media, basically saying that "words are cheap" when you don't get the job done.
You've got to wonder where they go from here. Rodgers signed a one-year deal, and after being sacked four times and throwing a late pick-six to Calen Bullock, retirement has to be on the table. He refused to talk about 2026 in the post-game presser.
The Texans, meanwhile, are the hottest team in the league. They started the season 0-3 and have now won 10 straight games. They aren't just winning; they are suffocating people.
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Key Takeaways for the Divisional Round
If you're following the bracket, the results of Monday night football set up a massive clash. Houston is heading to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots. The Patriots' defense is elite, but can they handle the multi-dimensional attack of C.J. Stroud and this rejuvenated running game?
The Texans proved they can win on the road in January. That’s been the knock on them for years. Now that they've cleared that hurdle, the rest of the AFC should be very, very nervous.
To keep track of how this affects your playoff bracket or upcoming bets, keep an eye on the injury report for Will Anderson Jr., who looked slightly gimpy toward the end of the fourth. If he’s 100%, New England is going to have their hands full. You should also watch the line movement for the Texans-Patriots game, as early money is already flowing toward Houston despite them being the road team.