If you're refreshing your phone looking for a live ticker right now, I have some tough news for you. There isn't a game happening today. As of Sunday, January 18, 2026, the Pittsburgh Steelers have already been sent home for the winter.
It’s a bit of a gut punch for the Steel City. Just a week ago, the vibes were high. But after a brutal Monday night in the Wild Card round, the quest for a seventh ring hit a brick wall. People are still asking what is the score of the pittsburgh steelers game because, honestly, it feels weird to have a Divisional Round weekend without them after they fought so hard to clinch the AFC North on the final day of the regular season.
The Final Score That Ended the Season
The last time the Steelers took the field was Monday, January 12, 2026. They hosted the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium, and it... well, it wasn't pretty.
The final score was 30-6 in favor of the Texans. Pittsburgh’s offense, led by veteran Aaron Rodgers in what turned out to be a rollercoaster season, just couldn't find the end zone. Not even once. Two Chris Boswell field goals were the only points the home crowd had to cheer for. Meanwhile, Houston's defense, coordinated by the rising stars under DeMeco Ryans, absolutely stifled the run and forced Rodgers into a world of hurried throws and sacks.
It was a quiet exit for a team that had just finished a gritty 10-7 regular season.
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How We Got Here: The AFC North Clincher
To understand why the season ended so abruptly, you have to look back at the Week 18 thriller that got them into the dance in the first place. On January 4, 2026, the Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens 26-24. That game was everything a rivalry should be. Aaron Rodgers threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III with only 55 seconds left on the clock.
Even then, the drama didn't stop.
The Ravens marched down the field and set up a 44-yard field goal for rookie Tyler Loop. If he makes it, the Ravens win the division. He pushed it right. The stadium erupted. It was the kind of win that makes you think a team is "destined" for a deep playoff run. But as we saw against Houston, destiny doesn't help much when you can't protect the quarterback or stop a high-powered pass rush.
A Season of Highs and Lows
Looking at the 2025-2026 schedule, this team was the definition of "Steelers football"—meaning they played down to their competition and up to the giants.
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- They started strong with a 34-32 win over the Jets.
- They traveled to Dublin, Ireland, in late September and beat the Vikings 24-21 in a game that felt like a home match abroad.
- They lost a heartbreaker to the Bears in late November (31-28).
- They got swept by the Cleveland Browns, including a 13-6 loss in late December that almost derailed their playoff hopes entirely.
The End of the Mike Tomlin Era?
The biggest story following the loss to the Texans wasn't actually the score itself. It was the fallout. After 19 seasons at the helm, the Steelers and Mike Tomlin have officially parted ways. It’s the end of an era that defined stability in the NFL.
While some fans have been "Fire Tomlin" for years, seeing it actually happen is a shock to the system. Jerome Bettis and other franchise legends have already started weighing in, noting that the standard in Pittsburgh has slipped lately. The team hasn't won a playoff game since the 2016 season. For a franchise that measures success in Lombardis, a decade-long drought is unacceptable.
What’s Happening in the NFL Today?
Since the Steelers are out, the AFC is wide open. Today, Sunday, January 18, the team that beat Pittsburgh—the Houston Texans—is playing the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. That game kicked off at 12:00 PM EST.
If you’re just looking for any football to watch, here is the slate for today:
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- Houston Texans at New England Patriots (AFC Divisional)
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (NFC Divisional) - Kickoff at 6:30 PM EST.
It’s a weird feeling for Pittsburgh fans to be watching Caleb Williams and the Bears in the second round while the Black and Gold are already looking toward the NFL Draft and a massive head coaching search.
What Happens Next for the Steelers?
If you were searching for what is the score of the pittsburgh steelers game hoping for a miracle comeback or a game you missed, the focus now shifts entirely to the front office.
The priority number one is the coaching search. Names like Ben Johnson or even a return of a former defensive coordinator have been floated, but the search is in its infancy. Then there’s the quarterback situation. Aaron Rodgers has another year on his deal, but at 42, and coming off a 6-point playoff performance, both sides might be looking for an exit strategy.
Actionable Steps for Fans:
- Track the Coaching Search: Follow the official Steelers portal or local Pittsburgh beats like the Post-Gazette to see who is interviewing.
- Check the Cap Space: Pittsburgh is in a decent spot, but moving on from veteran contracts could open up room for a total rebuild under a new regime.
- Watch the Divisional Round: Keep an eye on the Texans vs. Patriots today. If Houston wins big again, it might make the Steelers' 30-6 loss look a little less embarrassing in hindsight.
The season is over, but the most important off-season in twenty years has just begun.