It happened again. If you were scouring the internet for the Pittsburgh Steelers game what's the score on Monday night, you probably didn't like what you found. A 30-6 thumping at the hands of the Houston Texans wasn't exactly the "Rodgers Magic" everyone in the 412 was banking on. Honestly, it was brutal to watch.
Acrisure Stadium was loud. The Terrible Towels were out in force. But by the time the fourth quarter rolled around, that energy had completely evaporated into the cold Pittsburgh air. The Steelers' offense, led by a 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers, looked completely stuck in the mud. They didn't score a single touchdown. Not one. Two field goals from Chris Boswell—that was the entire output for a team that supposedly revamped itself for a deep January run.
Breaking Down the Brutal Reality
The final score was 30-6. But that doesn't really tell the whole story of how lopsided this felt by the end. At halftime, it was actually a game. The Texans were only up 7-6. You could feel a sense of cautious optimism. Maybe Mike Tomlin had a second-half adjustment up his sleeve? Maybe Rodgers would find DK Metcalf for one of those vintage deep balls?
Nope.
🔗 Read more: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
The second half was a disaster. The Texans' defense, which is currently ranked number one in the league for a reason, just squeezed the life out of the Steelers. Sheldon Rankins—a veteran who has seen it all—scooped up a Rodgers fumble and took it 33 yards for a touchdown. That was the dagger. It turned a tight 7-6 defensive struggle into a two-score lead, and Pittsburgh just folded.
Then came the final insult. Calen Bullock, a young safety with a bright future, stepped in front of a Rodgers pass and housed it from 50 yards out. That was the last play of the game. It might also be the last play of Aaron Rodgers’ career.
Why the Offense Ghosted
Pittsburgh managed only 175 yards of total offense. Think about that for a second. In a playoff game at home. Rodgers threw for 146 yards. He looked every bit of 42. He was under duress, sure, but he also missed throws that 2011 Aaron Rodgers would have made in his sleep.
💡 You might also like: Vince Carter Meme I Got One More: The Story Behind the Internet's Favorite Comeback
The run game was nonexistent. When you can't run, and your legendary quarterback is getting harassed by Will Anderson Jr. every other snap, you're going to have a bad time. The Texans generated a defensive EPA of -33.4. That is a nerd way of saying they played one of the most dominant defensive games in recent playoff history.
The Playoff Curse Continues
The most frustrating part for fans isn't just the score. It’s the trend. This loss marks seven straight playoff defeats for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Seven. The last time this team won a postseason game, "Bad and Boujee" was the number one song in America. It's been nearly a decade of "one and done."
Mike Tomlin now shares a record nobody wants: he’s tied with former Bengals coach Marvin Lewis for the longest consecutive playoff losing streak in NFL history. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a guy who has never had a losing regular season. But in Pittsburgh, the standard is Super Bowls, not just finishing 10-7 and getting bounced in the Wild Card.
📖 Related: Finding the Best Texas Longhorns iPhone Wallpaper Without the Low-Res Junk
What’s Next for Aaron Rodgers?
After the game, the locker room was predictably quiet. Rodgers didn't give a definitive answer about his future. He said he’s "not going to make any emotional decisions." But let's be real—watching him try to chase down Bullock on that pick-six was a tough watch.
He’s on a one-year deal. He’ll be a free agent. If he comes back, is it even to Pittsburgh? The team has a lot of soul-searching to do. They brought him in to win now, and "now" ended with a 24-point loss at home.
Looking Ahead to the Offseason
So, the season is over. The Texans move on to play the New England Patriots, and the Steelers head to the golf course. The schedule for next year is already floating around—they'll face the AFC South and NFC South—but the names on the roster might look very different.
Actionable Insights for Steelers Fans:
- Watch the Retirement Tracker: Keep a close eye on Rodgers' social media and Pat McAfee appearances over the next month. His decision will dictate whether Pittsburgh is back in the QB market or running it back one last time.
- Draft Focus: With the offense failing so spectacularly, expect the front office to prioritize the offensive line and a true successor at quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft.
- Coaching Staff Changes: While Tomlin likely stays, there will be massive pressure to shake up the offensive coaching staff. Look for news regarding the Offensive Coordinator position by early February.
The "Pittsburgh Steelers game what's the score" search might be over for the 2025-2026 season, but the drama in the Steel City is just getting started. It’s going to be a long, loud offseason on sports talk radio.