Everything changed in the fourth quarter. It wasn't just a loss for Pittsburgh; it was a total meltdown on national television. If you missed the final Monday Night NFL score, the Houston Texans basically marched into Acrisure Stadium and dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30–6.
It was ugly. Really ugly.
The atmosphere in Pittsburgh was electric at kickoff. It was a cold Monday night, January 12, 2026, and the crowd was ready for a classic playoff grind. For three quarters, that's exactly what they got. The score was a measly 7–6 in favor of Houston heading into the final frame. Then, the wheels didn't just fall off for the Steelers—they exploded.
The Monday Night NFL Score Breakdown
Houston’s defense is legit. You’ve probably heard people talking about "SWARM," and honestly, they lived up to the acronym. They didn't just beat Aaron Rodgers; they harassed him. Rodgers, now 42 and looking every bit of it by the end of the night, was sacked four times.
The turning point was a chaotic fumble. Will Anderson Jr. got home, the ball popped loose, and Sheldon Rankins scooped it up for a 33-yard defensive touchdown. That made it 17–6, and you could feel the soul leave the stadium.
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Here is how the scoring actually went down:
- First Half: A defensive stalemate. Two Chris Boswell field goals were the only life Pittsburgh showed. Houston managed a single touchdown to lead 7–6 at the break.
- The Fourth Quarter Collapse: Houston hung 23 points on the board in the final 15 minutes.
- The Dagger: Calen Bullock intercepted Rodgers and took it 50 yards to the house. A pick-six to end the season. Talk about adding salt to the wound.
What This Means for the NFL Playoffs
This wasn't just any win. This was Houston’s first-ever road playoff victory in their 24-year franchise history. Think about that for a second. They had gone 0–6 on the road in the postseason until last night. Now, C.J. Stroud and this terrifying defense are headed to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots this coming Sunday.
The Patriots are the No. 2 seed, but after seeing what Houston just did to a legendary home-field advantage like Pittsburgh's, nobody is marking that as an easy "W" for New England.
On the flip side, the Steelers are entering a dark winter. Mike Tomlin has now lost seven straight playoff games. That ties a record held by Marvin Lewis that nobody wants to share. To make matters worse, the 23-game home winning streak for the Steelers on Monday night is officially dead.
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Key Stats and Players Who Mattered
While the Monday Night NFL score tells the story of a blowout, the box score reveals a total offensive failure for Pittsburgh. They only managed 175 total yards. You can't win a high school game with those numbers, let alone a Wild Card playoff matchup.
Christian Kirk was a problem for the Steelers' secondary all night, hauling in 8 catches for 144 yards. He was Stroud's safety blanket when the pocket got messy. Meanwhile, Woody Marks put the game on ice with a 13-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth.
Honestly, the most concerning part for Pittsburgh fans was seeing Aaron Rodgers on the bench at the end. He looked completely gassed. There’s already massive speculation that this might have been his final game in the NFL. If he goes out on a 30–6 thumping, it’s a rough way to end a Hall of Fame career.
Why the Texans Are a Threat
Don't sleep on Houston. They’ve won 10 games in a row dating back to the regular season. Their defense scores as much as some offenses do. When you have guys like Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter coming off the edges, opposing quarterbacks don't have time to breathe.
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They also showed incredible resilience. Star receiver Nico Collins went down with a concussion evaluation in the fourth and didn't return. Most teams would fold. Houston just kept scoring.
Actionable Insights for the Divisional Round
If you're following the bracket, keep these things in mind for the upcoming weekend:
- Watch the Texans' Secondary: If Nico Collins can't clear protocol, Houston will need more from their depth receivers against a disciplined Patriots defense.
- Monitor the Patriots' Pass Rush: New England will try to replicate what Houston did—pressure the young QB.
- Check the Betting Lines: Houston opened as a slight underdog against the Patriots, but that line is moving fast after the Monday night dominant showing.
The 2026 NFL playoffs are officially down to eight teams. The AFC is looking top-heavy with Denver and New England, but Houston is the "team of destiny" vibe right now.
To stay ahead of the next round, make sure you're tracking the injury reports for both Nico Collins and the New England offensive line. The Divisional Round kicks off Saturday with the Bills visiting Denver, followed by the 49ers taking on the Seahawks in a massive NFC West rematch.