So, you're looking for the kickoff time to watch the Black and Gold take the field? I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you’re asking when do the steelers play this weekend, the answer is actually: they don't.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for the Yinzers. Honestly, the vibe in Pittsburgh right now is pretty somber after what went down on Monday night. While the rest of the NFL is gearing up for a massive Divisional Round weekend—with the Bills heading to Denver and the 49ers visiting Seattle—the Steelers are already cleaning out their lockers at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
The Wild Card Heartbreak
The reason there's no game on the schedule for Pittsburgh this Saturday or Sunday is due to a brutal 30–6 loss to the Houston Texans. It happened this past Monday, January 12, 2026, at Acrisure Stadium.
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Going into that game, expectations were sky-high. The Steelers had just secured their first AFC North title since 2000 after a dramatic regular-season finale against the Ravens. With Aaron Rodgers under center—the 42-year-old veteran brought in specifically to end the team's postseason drought—it felt like the stars were finally aligning.
But the Texans’ defense, which has been the best in the league all season, turned the "Steel City" into a nightmare for Rodgers. He was under duress the entire night. Houston’s pass rush, led by Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, racked up four sacks and forced the kind of mistakes we aren't used to seeing from a future Hall of Famer.
A Season of Highs and Lows
Basically, the Steelers' season was a rollercoaster. They finished the regular season 10–7, winning four of their last five games to sneak into that No. 4 seed. The running back duo of Kenny Gainwell and Jaylen Warren was arguably the most exciting part of the offense, combining for over 2,300 yards.
But when the lights were brightest, the offense just stalled. The Texans held Pittsburgh to a measly 175 total yards. Two defensive touchdowns by Houston in the fourth quarter—a 33-yard fumble return by Sheldon Rankins and a 50-yard pick-six by Calen Bullock—turned a close game into a blowout.
When Do the Steelers Play This Weekend? The Divisional Schedule Without Them
Since Pittsburgh is out, the AFC bracket has shifted. If you’re a football fan who just wants to watch the teams that did make it, here is how the "weekend" actually looks for the Divisional Round:
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET, CBS)
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (8:00 PM ET, FOX)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans at New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET, ABC)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET, NBC)
It’s weird seeing the Texans move on to face the Patriots while the Steelers watch from home. That loss marked Mike Tomlin's seventh consecutive playoff defeat, a stat that's currently being debated endlessly on sports talk radio from the Strip District to the South Side.
What’s Next for Pittsburgh?
The big question isn't about this weekend anymore; it's about next year.
Is this the end for Aaron Rodgers? After that pick-six to end the game, he looked spent. He only threw for 146 yards, and at 42, the recovery time isn't what it used to be. There’s a lot of speculation that we might have seen the final pass of his 21-season career.
Then there’s the Mike Tomlin conversation. He’s never had a losing season, which is an incredible feat, but the playoff win drought is becoming a heavy mantle to carry. The roster has talent—Gainwell was the team MVP for a reason—but they need to figure out how to handle elite defenses if they want to play deep into January in 2027.
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If you had tickets for a potential home game this weekend, Ticketmaster has already started the refund process since the "TBD" slot won't be filled by Pittsburgh.
Actionable Next Steps for Steelers Fans:
- Check your accounts: If you bought "conditional" playoff tickets for the Divisional Round at Acrisure Stadium, refunds are being issued automatically to the original payment method.
- Watch the Texans vs. Patriots: Since Houston was the team that knocked Pittsburgh out, their game on Sunday at 3 PM ET is the one to watch if you want to see if that defense is truly Super Bowl-bound.
- Keep an eye on retirement news: Follow local beats for an official statement from Aaron Rodgers regarding his future in the league.
The 2025-26 ride is over, and while it ended with a thud, the AFC North title remains a small silver lining in a cold Pittsburgh winter.