If you’re frantically searching for what time is the steeler game tomorrow, I have some news that might sting a little. You probably shouldn't set your alarm for a kickoff on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are not playing tomorrow.
Honestly, it’s a tough pill to swallow for the Yinzer nation, especially considering how the season looked a few weeks ago. If you missed the Monday night action—or perhaps you've blocked it out of your memory—the Steelers' playoff run hit a concrete wall. They didn't just lose; they were dismantled.
The Reality of the AFC Divisional Round
Tomorrow is Saturday, and while the NFL Divisional Round is kicking off with a double-header, the Black and Gold will be watching from their couches. The Houston Texans came into Acrisure Stadium this past Monday and absolutely took care of business, ending Pittsburgh's season with a definitive 30-6 victory.
It was a rough night. Aaron Rodgers, who had been the focal point of the offense all year, was sacked four times by a Texans defense that looked like the best unit in the league.
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So, instead of the Steelers playing tomorrow, here is the actual NFL schedule for Saturday, January 17:
- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: This one kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: The nightcap starts at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
If you’re a die-hard football fan, these are still great matchups. But for those specifically looking for the Steelers, the hunt for another Lombardi Trophy is officially on ice until next season.
Why the Steelers Aren't Playing Tomorrow
It’s easy to get confused with the playoff schedule. The NFL moves fast. One minute you're hosting a Wild Card game as the No. 4 seed, and the next, you're looking at mock drafts.
The loss to Houston was the seventh straight postseason defeat for the franchise. That’s a stat that hurts. Head coach Mike Tomlin now shares a somewhat dubious record with former Bengals coach Marvin Lewis for the longest playoff losing streak by an NFL coach.
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The offense just couldn't get moving. They finished with a meager 175 yards of total offense. T.J. Watt, who usually finds a way to take over games, expressed his frustration afterward, basically saying he didn't have the answers for why the postseason success hasn't followed the regular-season grit.
The Playoff Picture Without Pittsburgh
Since the Steelers are out, the AFC side of the bracket has shifted. The Texans, fresh off their win in Pittsburgh, are moving on to face the New England Patriots on Sunday.
- Buffalo vs. Denver: A battle of high-powered offenses vs. altitude.
- Texans vs. Patriots: Houston is riding high, but Foxborough in January is never easy.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Even though you won't find a game tomorrow, the 2026 opponents are already set. We don't have the specific times yet—the NFL usually drops that big schedule release in May—but we know who is coming to town.
The AFC North will be playing the AFC South and NFC South this year. That means the Steelers will host the Falcons, Panthers, Broncos, Texans, and Colts at Acrisure Stadium.
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They also have a heavy road schedule, heading to Jacksonville, New England, and Philadelphia. Oh, and they’ll have that extra 17th game on the road this year, part of the league's rotating schedule.
How to Handle Your Football Saturday
Since there is no Steeler game tomorrow, you have a few options. You can embrace the role of a neutral observer and watch the Bills and Broncos battle for a spot in the AFC Championship. Or, you can do what many in Pittsburgh do: start arguing about whether the team needs to move on from certain veterans or if the coaching staff needs a total overhaul.
Practical Next Steps:
- Check the TV Guide: If you still want to watch football, the Bills/Broncos game at 4:30 p.m. ET is your best bet for high-level AFC action.
- Update Your Calendar: Remove any "Steelers TBD" alerts you might have set for the Divisional Round to avoid further heartbreak.
- Watch the Recap: If you're a glutton for punishment, the NFL's official YouTube channel has the full highlights of the Texans-Steelers Wild Card game so you can see exactly where things went sideways.
- Plan for the Draft: The Steelers will likely have a mid-to-late first-round pick. Now is a great time to start looking at interior offensive line prospects or defensive secondary depth.
The quest for a seventh ring is over for now. It’s a quiet Saturday in Pittsburgh, but the draft cycle starts sooner than you think.