It is the question of the week in every sports bar from the Strip District to the suburbs: what time is the steeler game on sunday? Well, there is a short answer and a slightly more complicated one depending on how closely you followed last Monday’s outcome. Honestly, if you are looking for the Steelers to take the field this Sunday, January 18, 2026, you might want to sit down.
The Steelers are not playing this Sunday.
It hurts to say it. After a gritty regular season that saw them claw their way to the AFC North title and the No. 4 seed, the journey ended abruptly. On Monday night, January 12, the Houston Texans came into Acrisure Stadium and basically dismantled the black and gold. The final score was a brutal 30-6. So, while the NFL Divisional Round is currently in full swing today, the Steelers are officially in "wait until next year" mode.
The Reality of Sunday's Schedule
If you’ve been Googling what time is the steeler game on sunday hoping for a miracle or just a chance to see the team rebound in the Divisional Round, you’ll actually see the team that beat them in that time slot.
The Houston Texans—the team that knocked Pittsburgh out—are the ones playing today. They traveled to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots. Because of how the bracket shook out, that 3:00 PM ET kickoff on ABC is the game most Pittsburgh fans are keeping an eye on, if only to see how their conquerors fare against the Pats.
Here is what the actual Sunday, Jan 18 lineup looks like for the Divisional Round:
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- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: 3:00 PM ET (ABC/ESPN)
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: 6:30 PM ET (NBC/Peacock)
It’s a bit surreal. Just a week ago, the city was electric. We were all prepping for a Monday night showdown. Now, the Terrible Towels are tucked away, and the conversation has shifted from kickoff times to offseason questions.
Why People Are Still Searching for the Game Time
Usually, when people ask what time is the steeler game on sunday, they are used to that classic 1:00 PM or 4:25 PM window. This year was weird. The Steelers' Wild Card game was moved to a Monday night. That threw off everyone's internal football clock.
Then you have the confusion of the Divisional Round itself. Because the Steelers were the higher seed (No. 4) against the Texans (No. 5), many fans just assumed they’d be moving on to this weekend. Losing at home as the favorite is a tough pill to swallow, and sometimes the brain just refuses to accept the season is over.
There's also the "Monday Night Hangover." Since the Steelers played so late in the week, the turnaround for a Sunday game would have been short anyway. If they had won, they likely would have been scheduled for the late Sunday window today. But alas, that spot belongs to the Rams and Bears.
What Went Wrong Against Houston?
You can't talk about why there isn't a game today without looking at that Monday night collapse. Honestly, it was a mess from the jump.
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The offense never found a rhythm. Whether it was the pressure on the quarterback or just a lack of explosive plays, the Steelers couldn't sustain drives. Scoring only 6 points in a playoff game is rarely a recipe for success.
Then there’s the discipline. We saw special teams standout Ben Skowronek get slapped with a $9,500 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct. It was indicative of a game where frustrations boiled over. When you aren't moving the ball and the defense is on the field for 40 minutes, things get heated.
The Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers Factor
The reason everyone is so hyper-focused on the team right now—even without a game—is the massive cloud of uncertainty hanging over the facility. Mike Tomlin’s departure after 19 seasons has sent shockwaves through the league.
And then there's the quarterback situation. Rumors are flying that Aaron Rodgers’ future in Pittsburgh is tied directly to Tomlin. With the coach gone, does the veteran QB stay for another run, or are we looking at a full-scale rebuild? This is why, even though the answer to what time is the steeler game on sunday is "never," the team is still the top trending topic in the city.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Since we aren't tailgating today, we might as well look at who the Steelers will be facing when the 2026 season kicks off in September. The opponents are already locked in, even if the dates aren't.
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At home, the Steelers will host:
- The AFC North rivals (Ravens, Bengals, Browns)
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
- Denver Broncos
- Houston Texans (revenge game, anyone?)
- Indianapolis Colts
On the road, they’ll head to Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Cleveland, but also take trips to Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Tampa Bay. It's not an easy road back to the postseason.
Moving Forward Without the Steelers
While it sucks that there is no Steeler game on Sunday, the NFL playoffs are still providing some high-stakes drama. If you’re a football junkie, you’re probably still watching.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve for the rest of the month, keep these dates in mind:
- Conference Championships: Sunday, Jan 25. The AFC game is at 3:00 PM ET on CBS, and the NFC follows at 6:30 PM ET on FOX.
- Super Bowl LX: Sunday, Feb 8. This is the big one in Santa Clara, kicking off at 6:30 PM ET on NBC.
Basically, the 2025-2026 Steelers season is in the history books. It wasn't the ending anyone wanted, especially after winning the division. But that’s the NFL. One bad Monday night and your Sundays suddenly become very, very quiet.
For those still looking for team news, the focus now shifts to the NFL Draft and the search for a new head coach. The "Steelers Way" is about to face its biggest test in two decades.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
- Check the 2026 Opponents List: Start scouting the road trips for next season now that the opponents are finalized.
- Monitor the Coaching Search: With Tomlin out, the next few weeks will define the next decade of Pittsburgh football.
- Watch the Texans vs. Patriots Today: See if the team that beat the Steelers can actually make a run, or if the New England defense is just that much better.
- Update Your Calendar: Mark February 8 for the Super Bowl, even if you’re just watching for the commercials and the wings this year.