If you tuned in tonight expecting a classic Pittsburgh slugfest that stayed close until the final whistle, well, you got half of that. For three quarters, it was exactly what Mike Tomlin lives for—a gritty, ugly, defensive struggle. But when we look at who played tonight monday night football, the story isn't just about the names on the jerseys. It’s about a changing of the guard in the AFC.
The Houston Texans didn't just beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 at Acrisure Stadium; they basically dismantled a dynasty's aura in front of a stunned primetime audience.
Honestly, the atmosphere in Pittsburgh felt heavy from the jump. You had Aaron Rodgers—now 42 and playing on what many assume is a "one-and-done" year with the Steelers—trying to conjure some of that old Lambeau magic. Instead, he met a Houston pass rush that looked like it was shot out of a cannon. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter didn't just pressure Rodgers; they harassed him into looking every bit his age.
The Momentum Shift Nobody Saw Coming
The first half was a total slog. Chris Boswell knocked through a couple of field goals, and the Steelers actually led for a decent chunk of the early going.
But then the fourth quarter happened. It was like a switch flipped.
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Houston was leading 10-6—hardly a blowout. Then, Will Anderson Jr. got home. He blasted Rodgers, the ball popped loose, and Sheldon Rankins scooped it up for a 33-yard touchdown. You could literally hear the air leave the stadium. Suddenly, it was 17-6. Pittsburgh tried to answer, but Rodgers was intercepted by rookie sensation Calen Bullock, who took it 50 yards to the house.
Two defensive touchdowns in the same quarter? That's how you end a season.
Why Tonight Was Different
For those wondering about the significance of who played tonight monday night football, you have to look at the streaks. Coming into this Wild Card matchup, the Steelers had won 23 straight home Monday Night Football games.
23.
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That’s a level of dominance that spans decades. To see C.J. Stroud—who stayed remarkably poised despite fumbling a few times early—walk into that environment and walk out with a 24-point victory is wild. Stroud finished with a solid line, connecting with Christian Kirk for over 100 yards and a score, but the real story was that "Swarm" defense DeMeco Ryans has built.
They held the Steelers to 175 total yards. In a playoff game. At home.
- Final Score: Texans 30, Steelers 6
- Key Stat: Pittsburgh's 7th straight playoff loss (tying an NFL record)
- Turnovers: 3 for Houston, 2 for Pittsburgh (but Houston’s were all points)
The Aaron Rodgers Question
Post-game, the locker room felt like a funeral. Rodgers was asked point-blank if he’d be back in 2026. His answer? "I'm not gonna talk about that."
It’s a tough way to go out if this is it. He threw for 146 yards, got sacked four times, and looked physically spent by the time Mason Rudolph came in for the final drive. If you're a Steelers fan, you've gotta be wondering if the "all-in" move for a veteran QB was worth the early exit.
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Meanwhile, Houston is flying high. They’ve won 10 games in a row dating back to the regular season. They look like the team nobody wants to play right now because even when their offense hit a lull in the second quarter, their defense just started scoring points for them.
What Happens Next?
The bracket is set, and the road only gets tougher. Houston is heading to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots on January 18. That’s a massive test for Stroud against a Belichick-less but still disciplined Pats squad.
As for the Steelers, the "Fire Tomlin" chants are going to be louder than ever this week. Tying Marvin Lewis for the longest playoff losing streak in coaching history isn't a stat you want on your resume. They have the talent, especially with T.J. Watt (who was visibly frustrated after the game), but the offensive identity just isn't there.
If you're looking to track the rest of the postseason, keep an eye on the injury report for Houston’s Nico Collins. He left tonight with a concussion evaluation and didn't return. If the Texans want to keep this Cinderella run going into the Divisional Round, they’ll need their WR1 healthy and ready for the cold in New England.
Check the local broadcast schedules for the Divisional Round, as the Texans-Patriots game is slated for a 3:00 PM ET kickoff this Sunday on ABC.