You’re probably staring at your TV guide or scrolling through your phone trying to find the score of the Steelers game tonight, but there’s a bit of a problem. The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't actually playing tonight, Sunday, January 18, 2026.
If you were hoping to see Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin leading the Black and Gold into the AFC Divisional Round, the reality is a lot more somber for fans in the 412. Pittsburgh’s postseason journey came to a crashing, painful halt exactly six days ago. Instead of preparing for a kickoff tonight, the players are currently cleaning out their lockers and heading into an offseason filled with massive "what-if" questions.
The "tonight" slot you’re looking for in the AFC is actually being filled by the Houston Texans and the New England Patriots.
What happened to the Steelers?
Honestly, the Wild Card round was a total disaster for Pittsburgh. They hosted the Houston Texans last Monday night at Acrisure Stadium, and it wasn't even close. The final score was 30-6 in favor of Houston.
Think about that for a second. At home. In the playoffs.
👉 See also: Tottenham vs FC Barcelona: Why This Matchup Still Matters in 2026
It was a cold, miserable night where basically nothing went right. Aaron Rodgers, who many hoped would be the missing piece to a deep playoff run after a gritty 10-7 regular season, looked every bit of 42 years old. He was under fire from the opening whistle. The Texans' pass rush, led by a relentless Will Anderson Jr., absolutely haunted him.
A breakdown of the collapse
If you missed the game, here’s the gist of how the score got so lopsided:
- The Steelers actually kept it tight for a while, trailing only 7-6 at halftime.
- Chris Boswell accounted for all of Pittsburgh's points with two field goals.
- The wheels fell off in the fourth quarter when Will Anderson Jr. sacked Rodgers, forced a fumble, and Sheldon Rankins scooped it up for a 33-yard touchdown.
- Just minutes later, Calen Bullock intercepted Rodgers and returned it 50 yards for another score.
Two defensive touchdowns in the fourth quarter. That's how a 10-6 game turns into a 30-6 blowout in the blink of an eye. By the time Mason Rudolph came in to relieve Rodgers with a few minutes left, the stadium was already half-empty. It was a brutal way to end a season that had so much promise after they clinched the AFC North on that wild Sunday night against the Ravens.
Who is playing in the NFL tonight instead?
Since you're likely looking for the score of the Steelers game tonight because you're in the mood for playoff football, you should know that the Divisional Round is still very much alive.
✨ Don't miss: Buddy Hield Sacramento Kings: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
The Houston Texans—the team that knocked Pittsburgh out—are the ones playing right now. They traveled to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET. On the other side of the bracket, the Los Angeles Rams are facing the Chicago Bears at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
It’s a tough pill to swallow. Seeing C.J. Stroud and the Texans move on while the Steelers stay home is exactly what's fueling the local sports talk radio fire right now.
Why the Steelers score tonight is "0"
Basically, the season is over. The 2025-26 campaign will be remembered as a year of "almost." They won the North. They beat Lamar Jackson twice. They brought in a legendary quarterback. But when the lights were brightest in January, the offense stayed in the locker room.
The fact that the Steelers are 0-of-6 on third downs in their last playoff appearance tells you everything you need to know. You can't win in January if you can't stay on the field.
🔗 Read more: Why the March Madness 2022 Bracket Still Haunts Your Sports Betting Group Chat
What to watch for next
Even though there is no score of the Steelers game tonight, the franchise is at a massive crossroads.
- The Aaron Rodgers Question: Does he come back for another year at age 42, or was that 30-6 drubbing his final act?
- Offensive Identity: After scoring only 6 points at home in the playoffs, expect major changes to the coaching staff or the scheme.
- The Draft: Pittsburgh will be looking closely at the offensive line and secondary help to ensure they aren't watching the Divisional Round from their couches again in 2027.
If you're looking for live updates on the teams that are playing, check the latest scores for Texans vs. Patriots and Rams vs. Bears. The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara continues, just without the Terrible Towels.
To keep up with the team during the break, you should track the official Steelers offseason tracker for news on Rodgers' retirement status and potential free-agent targets. Tuning into local Pittsburgh sports podcasts this week will also give you the best pulse on whether Mike Tomlin plans to overhaul the offensive play-calling before the 2026 draft.