If you just sat down with a bowl of wings and started frantically scrolling through your guide for the Steelers game today live, I have some tough news. The TV is going to stay dark on the black and gold front.
It's Sunday, January 18, 2026. Usually, this is the best weekend of the year—Divisional Round weekend. But for the first time in nearly two decades, the vibe in Pittsburgh is fundamentally broken. The Steelers aren't playing today because their season didn't just end; it imploded exactly six days ago.
What happened to the Monday Night Wild Card game?
Honestly, it's still a bit hard to process. Last Monday, January 12, the Steelers hosted the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. It was supposed to be a classic cold-weather "Steelers weather" advantage. Instead, it turned into a 30-6 nightmare.
C.J. Stroud basically picked the secondary apart while the Steelers' offense looked stuck in first gear. It wasn't just a loss. It was a "house-cleaning" type of loss. Because of that blowout, the Texans are the ones playing today against the New England Patriots, while Pittsburgh is already looking at mock drafts.
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The end of the Mike Tomlin era
This is the part that’s going to dominate the headlines for the next six months. On January 13, the day after that playoff exit, Mike Tomlin stepped down.
You've probably heard the rumors for years about him "needing a change of scenery," but it finally happened. He finished his 19-year tenure with 193 wins, tying Chuck Noll for the most in franchise history. It’s wild to think about. A whole generation of fans has never known a different coach. Now, the search is on for whoever has to fill those legendary shoes.
Who is playing today instead?
Since you can't watch the Steelers game today live, here is what the NFL Divisional schedule actually looks like for Sunday, January 18:
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- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: This one kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. The Rams have been an absolute juggernaut on offense lately, averaging over 30 points a game.
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: This is the "what could have been" game for Pittsburgh. The Texans, fresh off embarrassing the Steelers, are traveling to Foxborough.
It sort of stings to watch the Texans move on, especially considering the Steelers actually won the AFC North this year with a 10-7 (or 11-7 depending on how you count that Week 18 win over Baltimore) record. They were the only team from the division to even make the dance, yet they were the first ones out.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season
If you're already over this season—and honestly, who isn't?—the 2026 opponents are already set. The dates aren't out yet, but we know the path back.
The Steelers will be facing the AFC South and NFC South next year. That means home games against the Falcons, Panthers, and a rematch with the Texans. On the road, they’re heading to places like Philadelphia and Dublin (well, maybe not Ireland again so soon after the 2025 Vikings game, but the travel schedule is heavy).
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Basically, the "Steelers game today live" search is going to stay empty until the preseason rolls around in August.
Actionable steps for Steelers fans:
- Monitor the Coaching Search: Keep an eye on the Steelers' official channels and beat writers like Gerry Dulac. The search for Tomlin's successor is the biggest story in the NFL right now.
- Draft Prep: With the 21st pick (roughly) in the first round, the Steelers are likely looking at defensive line depth or finally finding a long-term solution at quarterback if the Aaron Rodgers experiment is officially one-and-done.
- Check Your Subscriptions: If you bought NFL+ or Sunday Ticket specifically for the playoffs, remember that the Steelers are out. You might want to adjust those settings before the Super Bowl hits and the off-season billing starts.
The "Stairway to Seven" is on pause. For now, we just have to watch the Rams and Bears and imagine what a competent playoff offense looks like.