It wasn't even close. If you were looking for a nail-biter to cap off the NFL's Wild Card weekend, the score for monday night game on January 12, 2026, probably left you staring at the fridge halfway through the fourth quarter. The Houston Texans didn't just beat the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium; they dismantled them. 30-6. That is a scoreline that tells a story of a changing of the guard, or maybe just a very loud "enough is enough" from a defense that finally looks elite.
The atmosphere in Pittsburgh was, frankly, weird. You had a freezing stadium, a legend in Aaron Rodgers potentially playing his final snaps, and a crowd that went from hopeful to hostile in about sixty minutes.
The Numbers That Defined the Score for Monday Night Game
People usually look at the final digits and assume the quarterback had a day. Not this time. C.J. Stroud was actually kinda shaky. He fumbled five times—losing two of them—and tossed a pick. In any other universe, that’s a recipe for a loss. But Houston's defense played like they were controlled by a teenager on a Madden winning streak.
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- Final Score: Texans 30, Steelers 6.
- Total Yards: Houston 408, Pittsburgh 175.
- Takeaways: 3 for Houston (including two defensive touchdowns).
- Sacks: Rodgers was dropped 4 times.
Basically, the Steelers' offense was stuck in mud. Aaron Rodgers finished with 146 yards. To put that in perspective, Houston's rookie defensive back Calen Bullock had 50 yards on a single play—his fourth-quarter pick-six that basically served as the "get out" sign for the Pittsburgh faithful.
That Fourth Quarter Collapse
At the start of the final frame, it was still a game. Sorta. 10-6 is a manageable deficit. Then, the wheels didn't just fall off; the whole axle snapped.
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Will Anderson Jr. came off the edge like a lightning bolt, strip-sacking Rodgers. Sheldon Rankins, the veteran big man, scooped up the ball and rumbled 33 yards for a touchdown. That made it 17-6. The energy vanished from the stands. By the time Woody Marks punched in a 13-yard run and Bullock grabbed his interception for another score, the score for monday night game had ballooned into a laugher. 23 points in the fourth quarter. That’s how you silence a "Terrible Towel" crowd.
Why This Result Matters for the NFL Landscape
This wasn't just a win for Houston. It was their first road playoff win in the 24-year history of the franchise. Think about that. Decades of "close but no cigar" or just being flat-out bad, all erased in one chilly night in Pennsylvania. DeMeco Ryans called it the best defensive performance in team history, and honestly, it’s hard to argue with him.
For Pittsburgh, the fallout is messy. Mike Tomlin has now lost seven straight playoff games. That ties the record for the longest postseason skid by a head coach. You could hear the "Fire Tomlin" chants on the broadcast. It’s a tough spot for a guy who has never had a losing season but hasn't won when it actually counts since 2016.
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The Rodgers Factor
Is he done? That’s the $50 million question. Rodgers looked every bit his age on Monday. He struggled with the pressure, and while he had some help from DK Metcalf (who had a brutal drop early on), the magic just wasn't there. When he walked off that field after being booed, it felt like a funeral for a Hall of Fame career. He told reporters afterward he wouldn't make an "emotional decision," but man, the tape from this game doesn't lie.
Looking Ahead: The Divisional Round
Now that the score for monday night game is settled, the bracket is locked. Houston is heading to Foxborough.
- The Matchup: (5) Houston Texans at (2) New England Patriots.
- The Time: Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET.
- The Stakes: A trip to the AFC Championship.
The Texans are 10-game winners in a row now. They are the hottest team in football, but they’re facing a Patriots team that just suffocated the Chargers. If Stroud keeps fumbling like he did in Pittsburgh, the Patriots' defense will make him pay much more than the Steelers did.
What you should do next: If you're betting on the Divisional Round, keep a close eye on the injury report for Houston's wide receivers. Nico Collins and Justin Watson both ended up in concussion protocol after the Monday night win. Without them, the Texans' offense becomes a lot more predictable. Check the practice participation reports starting Wednesday to see if they're clearing the steps to play in New England.