The energy in Pittsburgh was different yesterday. You could feel it. Fans were packed into Acrisure Stadium, towels waving, expecting the usual Monday night magic. After all, the Steelers had won 23 straight home games on Monday night. It’s one of those stats that feels like a law of physics—until it isn't. If you’re looking for nfl who's playing monday night football, the short answer is that the Wild Card round just wrapped up with a massive statement from the Houston Texans.
They didn't just win. They dismantled the Steelers 30-6.
It was ugly. Honestly, it was the kind of game that makes a fan base start questioning everything from the coaching staff to the water in the coolers. Houston arrived with a nine-game winning streak and left with their first road playoff victory in the history of the franchise. For a team that started the season 0-3, the turnaround is basically unheard of.
The Reality of the Texans' Dominance
C.J. Stroud is legit. We knew that, but seeing him operate in a playoff atmosphere on the road is another thing entirely. He finished with 118 yards and a touchdown in the first half alone, keeping the chains moving while the Steelers' offense looked like it was stuck in a mud pit.
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The Texans' defense, though? That was the real story.
They held Pittsburgh to a measly 175 yards of total offense. Will Anderson Jr. was a nightmare for the Steelers' offensive line all night. At one point in the fourth quarter, he jarred the ball loose from Aaron Rodgers, and Sheldon Rankins scooped it up for a 33-yard defensive touchdown. That was the dagger. It put Houston up 17-6, and the floodgates just opened from there.
Key Stats from the Monday Night Finale
- Final Score: Houston Texans 30, Pittsburgh Steelers 6
- Turnovers: The Texans' defense forced three of them, including two defensive touchdowns.
- The Streak: Pittsburgh’s 23-game home winning streak on Monday Night Football is officially dead.
- Rushing Attack: Woody Marks and Nick Chubb combined for a brutal ground game that wore down the Steelers' front.
Aaron Rodgers had a rough night. There’s no other way to put it. 79 passing yards in the first half isn't what you expect from a future Hall of Famer in a win-or-go-home scenario. He was sacked four times. The pressure from Houston was relentless, and by the time Calen Bullock picked off Rodgers for a 50-yard pick-six late in the fourth, the stadium was mostly empty.
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Why NFL Who’s Playing Monday Night Football Still Matters
People obsess over the Monday night slot because it’s the final word of the week. In the playoffs, it’s even more intense. This was the sixth and final game of "Super Wild Card Weekend," and it served as the ultimate gatekeeper for the Divisional Round.
The win by Houston shifts the entire AFC bracket. Because they won, they’re heading to New England to face the Patriots on January 18. Meanwhile, Mike Tomlin is left answering questions about a seven-game playoff losing streak. That ties him with Marvin Lewis for the longest such streak in NFL history. It’s a bitter pill for a city that expects trophies.
What’s Next for the Winners?
If you're tracking the path to Super Bowl LX, the schedule is getting tight. The Texans are riding a 10-game winning streak now. They look like the team nobody wants to play. Their defense is swarming, and Stroud plays with a poise that defies his age.
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On the other side of the bracket, the Divisional Round is already taking shape. We’ve got the Bills at the Broncos and the 49ers at the Seahawks on Saturday, January 17. Then, on Sunday, the Texans-Patriots matchup kicks off at 3 p.m. ET.
How to Prepare for the Divisional Round
- Check the Injury Reports: Both teams took some hits on Monday night. Keep an eye on the Steelers' Mason McCormick, who was active in the trenches, and Houston's secondary health.
- Verify Kickoff Times: The NFL tends to flex these based on TV markets, but as of now, Houston is set for that Sunday afternoon slot on ESPN and ABC.
- Watch the Line: The Texans opened as underdogs in Pittsburgh and blew the doors off. It'll be interesting to see how Vegas treats them against the Patriots.
The "Monday Night Football" aura didn't save the Steelers this time. Houston proved that momentum and a ferocious pass rush matter a whole lot more than historical streaks. The road to Santa Clara goes through New England now, and based on what we saw last night, the Texans aren't afraid of anyone.
Keep your schedule clear for January 17 and 18. The Divisional Round is usually where the pretenders get sorted from the contenders, and we’re down to the final eight.