The air in Pittsburgh was biting on Monday night, the kind of cold that usually favors the home team. For decades, Acrisure Stadium (and Heinz Field before it) was where primetime dreams went to die for visitors. But that 23-game home winning streak on Monday night just evaporated.
Houston didn't just win. They dismantled.
The final NFL scores from Monday night football tell a story of two halves, but mostly, they tell the story of a defensive juggernaut in Texas. The Texans walked out of the Steel City with a 30-6 victory, securing their first road playoff win in franchise history. If you're a Steelers fan, it’s a tough pill to swallow. If you’re a Texans fan, you’re probably already looking at flights to Foxborough.
What Really Happened with the Texans vs. Steelers
The first three quarters were a total "rock fight." Honestly, it was ugly. Pittsburgh took an early lead with a pair of Chris Boswell field goals, and for a while, it looked like the defense might actually bail out an aging Aaron Rodgers. By halftime, it was 7-6.
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Then the fourth quarter happened. It was like someone flipped a switch, and the Steelers just... broke.
Houston’s defense, which finished the regular season ranked number one for a reason, decided they’d had enough of the "game of inches." They wanted the whole yard. A 23-point explosion in the final frame turned a nail-biter into a blowout.
The Turning Points
- The Strip-Sack: Early in the fourth, Will Anderson Jr. got home. He jarred the ball loose from Aaron Rodgers, and Sheldon Rankins scooped it up for a 33-yard rumble into the end zone. That made it 17-6 and sucked the soul out of the crowd.
- The Ground Game: Woody Marks was a workhorse. He finished with 112 yards on 19 carries, including a 13-yard touchdown run that basically put the game on ice.
- The Exclamation Point: Calen Bullock snagged a Rodgers pass and took it 50 yards for a pick-six with less than three minutes left. 30-6. Game over.
Why These NFL Scores from Monday Night Football Matter
This wasn't just another game. It was a changing of the guard. Mike Tomlin is now tied with Marvin Lewis for the longest postseason losing streak by a head coach at seven games. That’s a stat nobody wants.
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Rodgers finished 17 of 33 for 146 yards. No touchdowns. One interception. Sacked four times. It felt like watching a heavyweight champ who stayed in the ring one round too long. On the other side, C.J. Stroud wasn't perfect—he fumbled twice and threw a pick—but he did enough. He leaned on Christian Kirk, who was a monster with 8 catches for 144 yards.
Beyond the Scoreboard
Pittsburgh’s offense was anemic, managing only 175 total yards. You can’t win in January like that. Even the return of DK Metcalf from suspension couldn't spark anything; he had two catches and a drop that would have kept a crucial early drive alive.
Houston, meanwhile, proved they can win ugly. They survived a "jittery" start from their young QB because their defense is a legitimate wall.
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Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Winners?
The Texans are moving on to the Divisional Round. They face the New England Patriots on Sunday, January 18. That game kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN.
For the Steelers, the offseason started the second Bullock crossed that goal line. There are huge questions about Rodgers' future—he says he won't make "emotional decisions," but the tape from Monday night wasn't kind. And the pressure on Tomlin? It’s never been higher.
Actionable Insights for Your Post-Game Week:
- Watch the Texans' pass rush: Will Anderson Jr. is the engine. If he plays like this against the Patriots, Houston has a real shot at the AFC Championship.
- Check the injury report: Nico Collins left the game for a concussion evaluation and didn't return. Houston needs him healthy for Foxborough.
- Monitor the Pittsburgh front office: The "fire Tomlin" chants are louder than ever. Watch for any staff changes or retirement news from the QB room in the coming days.
The playoff bracket is thinning out. After a Wild Card round where four games were decided by four points or less, this Monday night finale was the outlier—a definitive, defensive statement that the Texans are no longer just "happy to be here."