If you tuned in to see the usual black-and-gold dominance at Acrisure Stadium, honestly, you were probably in for a massive shock. For years, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been nearly invincible when the lights are brightest on a Monday. But this past Monday night, January 12, 2026, the script didn't just flip—it was shredded.
The Houston Texans came into Pittsburgh and absolutely dismantled the Steelers with a 30-6 victory. This wasn't just another Wild Card game. It was a historic shift that officially ended the Steelers’ legendary 23-game home winning streak on Monday Night Football.
The Night the Streak Died
It’s been since October 1991 since the Steelers lost a scheduled Monday night home game. Think about that for a second. George H.W. Bush was in the White House. The internet was barely a thing. But the Texans, led by C.J. Stroud and a defense that looked like it was playing at a different speed, didn't care about the history books.
The first three quarters were actually a grind. It was 7-6 at halftime. Classic AFC playoff football—ugly, physical, and a lot of punting. But the wheels fell off for Pittsburgh in the fourth quarter. Houston poured on 23 points in the final frame alone.
Aaron Rodgers and the End of an Era?
One of the biggest storylines of who played this monday night wasn't just the score, but the man under center for Pittsburgh. Aaron Rodgers, at 42 years old, had a night he’d likely rather forget. He threw for only 146 yards. He was sacked four times.
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The dagger came late in the fourth. Will Anderson Jr. got home, jarring the ball loose from Rodgers. Sheldon Rankins scooped it up for a 33-yard touchdown.
If that wasn't enough, rookie Calen Bullock put the final nail in the coffin with a 50-yard pick-six on what looked like a desperate heave from Rodgers. The stadium, once deafening with Terrible Towels waving, turned to boos. Rodgers admitted after the game he's not making any "emotional decisions" about retirement yet, but that walk off the field felt heavy.
Key Game Stats You Might Have Missed
- Total Offense: Houston 408 yards vs. Pittsburgh 175 yards.
- Turnovers: The Texans' defense forced three, including two defensive touchdowns.
- Fourth Quarter Scoring: 23 unanswered points by Houston.
- C.J. Stroud: Despite an interception and some fumbled snaps, he managed the game well enough to let his defense dominate.
Mike Tomlin Facing the Music
Coach Mike Tomlin is now tied for the longest playoff losing streak in NFL history at seven games. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a guy who has never had a losing regular season. After the game, he was blunt. "Words are cheap," he said. The frustration in the city is real. You could hear "Fire Tomlin" chants echoing through the North Shore in the closing minutes.
It’s a weird spot for Pittsburgh. They won the AFC North. They looked great against Baltimore just a week ago. But when it came to the postseason, the offense just evaporated.
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What Else Was On?
If you weren't a football fan, Monday night had plenty of other action across the sports world.
The NHL was busy. The Toronto Maple Leafs edged out Colorado in a 4-3 overtime thriller, while the Montreal Canadiens put on a clinic against Vancouver, winning 6-3. Over in the NBA, the Dallas Mavericks took care of Brooklyn 113-105, and the Sacramento Kings beat the Lakers 124-112 behind a massive night from their backcourt.
Even the WWE was in the mix. Monday Night RAW featured a massive clash between AJ Styles and Gunther, and the new Women’s Tag Team Champions, Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY (collectively known as "Rhiyo"), opened the show.
What Happens Now?
The Texans are moving on to the Divisional Round. They have a date with the New England Patriots on Sunday, January 18. Houston has now won 10 straight games going back to the regular season. They are arguably the hottest team in football right now.
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For Pittsburgh, the "big-picture perspective" Tomlin mentioned is going to be the talk of every sports radio station for the next six months.
If you’re looking to track the rest of the playoffs, keep an eye on the Saturday slate. The Buffalo Bills travel to play the Denver Broncos, and the 49ers face the Seahawks. The road to Super Bowl LX is getting narrow.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the injury report for Texans wideout Nico Collins, who left the game for a concussion evaluation.
- Watch for Aaron Rodgers' "darkness retreat" or whatever he chooses to do this off-season before making his retirement announcement.
- Clear your schedule for Sunday at 3:00 PM ET to see if the Texans' defense can rattle Drake Maye and the Patriots.