Honestly, if you took a nap during the third quarter of the Texans game this past Monday night, you probably woke up wondering if you were dreaming. For a long time, it was a gritty, ugly "rock fight" that had fans in Pittsburgh and Houston biting their nails. But if you're looking for the final answer to what’s the score for the Texans, here it is: Houston 30, Pittsburgh 6.
It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. This was the AFC Wild Card round, and the Texans didn't just beat the Steelers—they dismantled them in the fourth quarter. It was the kind of game that starts slow and then suddenly explodes like a Michael Bay movie.
How the Texans Flipped the Script at Acrisure Stadium
For those who didn't catch the live broadcast on ESPN/ABC, the game was a lot closer than that 30-6 score suggests for the first 45 minutes. At the end of the third quarter, Houston was clinging to a tiny 7-6 lead. It was tense. It was cold. And Aaron Rodgers, playing for the Steelers at 42 years old, looked like he might just have one more "clutch" drive left in him.
Then the fourth quarter happened.
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The turning point was basically a disaster for Pittsburgh. Will Anderson Jr. got to Rodgers, the ball popped loose, and Sheldon Rankins scooped it up for a 33-yard defensive touchdown. That made it 17-6, and you could almost feel the soul leave the stadium. After that, the floodgates opened. Woody Marks punched in a rushing touchdown, and then Calen Bullock capped it off with a 50-yard pick-six.
Breaking Down the 30-6 Box Score
- First Quarter: Texans 7, Steelers 3 (A quick start, then a lot of punting).
- Second Quarter: Steelers add a field goal. (Texans 7, Steelers 6).
- Third Quarter: Absolutely no scoring. Just a lot of defense and shivering fans.
- Fourth Quarter: Houston 23, Pittsburgh 0. (Yeah, you read that right).
This win was actually historic. It was the first road playoff win in the entire history of the Houston Texans franchise. Think about that for a second. They've been around since 2002, and they finally broke that curse in one of the toughest environments in the NFL.
The Stats That Actually Matter
While everyone is asking what’s the score for the Texans, the real story is in the defensive metrics. Coach DeMeco Ryans, who has basically turned this unit into a "SWARM" (his favorite acronym), saw his defense hold the Steelers to just 175 total yards.
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Aaron Rodgers was under duress on nearly 46% of his dropbacks. He was sacked four times. He fumbled twice. It was a rough night for the future Hall of Famer. On the flip side, C.J. Stroud didn't have his best statistical game—he actually fumbled twice and threw a pick—but the defense was so dominant that it simply didn't matter.
Key Performers in the Wild Card Win
- Sheldon Rankins (DT): The fumble return for a TD changed the entire energy of the game.
- Will Anderson Jr. (DE): Constant pressure and a forced fumble that led to the Rankins score.
- Woody Marks (RB): He ground out 112 yards on 19 carries, providing the balance Houston needed.
- Calen Bullock (CB): The late-game interception return for a touchdown was the "chef's kiss" on the performance.
One big concern for Houston fans right now is Nico Collins. He left the game in the fourth quarter to be evaluated for a concussion and didn't return. If the Texans want to keep this momentum going, they're going to need their star wideout healthy.
What's the Score for the Texans Moving Forward?
The celebration in Houston was short-lived because the road only gets steeper from here. By winning the Wild Card game, the Texans (now 13-5) have booked a trip to Foxborough.
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They are scheduled to face the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round. That game is set for Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 3:00 PM EST.
The Patriots are the No. 2 seed and are coming off a dominant 16-3 win over the Chargers. It's going to be a battle of two of the best defenses in the league. Interestingly, the Texans haven't had much luck against New England in the postseason before, losing divisional matchups in 2013 and 2017. But this 2026 team feels different. They came into the playoffs on a nine-game winning streak and haven't lost since early November.
Preparing for the Divisional Round
If you're following the Texans' journey, here is the immediate outlook:
- Next Opponent: New England Patriots.
- Venue: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, MA).
- Broadcast: ESPN / ABC.
- The Stakes: A spot in the AFC Championship Game.
The "score" for the Texans right now isn't just about one game; it's about a franchise that has finally figured out how to win when it counts. They are currently one of the hottest teams in football, and while they might be underdogs heading into New England, nobody is counting them out after what they just did to Pittsburgh.
Keep an eye on the injury reports regarding Nico Collins this week. His availability will likely swing the betting lines significantly as Sunday approaches. If the defense plays even half as well as they did at Acrisure Stadium, we might be looking at the first AFC Championship appearance in Houston's history.