So, you’re looking for the kickoff time. You’ve got the chips ready, the lucky jersey is out of the dryer, and you’re asking what time is the steelers game today?
Honestly, I hate to be the one to break it to you. There isn't a game.
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026. If you were hoping to see the Black and Gold take the field at Acrisure Stadium or anywhere else this afternoon, you’re unfortunately about six days too late. The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2025-2026 season officially hit a wall last Monday night, and while the NFL playoffs are currently in full swing with the Divisional Round, the Steelers are already looking toward the NFL Draft.
The Wild Card Heartbreak
The reason we aren't tracking a kickoff time today stems back to January 12. Pittsburgh hosted the Houston Texans for a Wild Card matchup that a lot of us thought—or at least hoped—would go differently. It was an 8:15 PM EST start on a cold Monday night.
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Basically, it was a disaster.
The Texans walked into Pittsburgh and handed the Steelers a 30-6 loss. It wasn't just a "tough break" kind of game; it was the kind of game where nothing clicks. The offense struggled to find any rhythm, and the defense, while gritty as always, just couldn't keep up with the pace Houston set early on. When that final whistle blew on Monday, the Steelers' schedule for the rest of January was wiped clean.
Who is Playing Today Instead?
Since it’s Divisional Round Sunday, the NFL schedule is packed, just not with Pittsburgh. If you still want your football fix, here is what the actual "today" looks like in the NFL:
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- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots: This one starts at 3:00 PM ET. Since the Texans beat the Steelers, they moved on to face the Pats in Foxborough. You can catch this on ABC or ESPN.
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears: This is the nightcap at 6:30 PM ET. It’s an NFC showdown airing on NBC and Peacock.
It’s a bit of a sting seeing the Texans move forward after what they did to Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes, but that’s the reality of the postseason.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Since there is no game today, most fans are already pivoting to what comes next. The front office is already deep into evaluations. We actually already know who the Steelers will play in the 2026 regular season, even if we don't have the exact dates yet.
They'll be facing the AFC North rivals (Ravens, Bengals, Browns) twice each, as per usual. But they also have home games lined up against the Falcons, Panthers, Broncos, Texans, and Colts. Their away schedule looks pretty brutal, featuring trips to Philadelphia to face the Eagles, plus games in New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and Nashville.
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The big question mark remains the quarterback room. With the season ending the way it did, expect the local sports talk radio to be absolutely dominated by draft rumors and free-agency speculation for the next three months.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since you can't watch the game, here is what you can actually do today to stay in the loop:
- Watch the Texans-Patriots Game: If you want to scout the team that knocked Pittsburgh out, tune in at 3:00 PM. It provides some perspective on just how high the bar is in the AFC right now.
- Check the Draft Order: Pittsburgh will likely be picking in the middle of the first round. Names like Will Campbell or other offensive line anchors are already being mocked to the Steelers.
- Review the Final Stats: Take a look at the season-end tallies for George Pickens and T.J. Watt. Despite the playoff exit, there were some massive individual performances this year that shouldn't be ignored.
The 2025-2026 campaign is in the books. It ended in a quiet, 6-point whimper on a Monday night, leaving this Sunday afternoon feeling a little emptier than we wanted.