The lights at Acrisure Stadium finally went dark on Monday night, and if you're a Pittsburgh fan, that darkness probably feels a lot like the current state of the franchise. It’s over. The Houston Texans didn't just win; they essentially dismantled a dynasty's pride in a 30-6 blowout that ended the 2025-2026 Wild Card round.
Honestly, the question of who plays the Monday night football game has a hollow ring to it now because, for the first time in months, there isn't another one on the calendar. That was the finale. The NFL season has officially shifted its weight into the Divisional Round, leaving the Monday night slot behind until next September.
The End of the Monday Night Streak
For decades, the Steelers owned Monday night. They had a 23-game home winning streak on Monday Night Football that felt like a law of nature. If it was Monday and the game was in Pittsburgh, the Steelers won.
That law was repealed with extreme prejudice.
C.J. Stroud and the Texans arrived in town and treated that history like a footnote. It wasn't just a loss; it was a total system failure for Mike Tomlin’s squad. Aaron Rodgers, who many thought would be the savior of this Pittsburgh season, looked every bit his age. He was sacked four times. The Texans' defense, led by Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, lived in the backfield. By the time the third quarter rolled around, the "Terrible Towels" weren't waving with much conviction.
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The finality of a Monday night playoff game is different. There’s no Tuesday morning watercooler talk about "next week" for the loser. For the Steelers, it’s just the cold reality of a seventh straight postseason loss.
Why the Texans Won (And Why It Matters for the Playoffs)
If you watched the game, you saw a team on two completely different trajectories. Houston is young, fast, and remarkably disciplined. Pittsburgh looked stuck in second gear.
Basically, the Texans' defensive front exploited a Steelers offensive line that has been shaky all year.
- Pressure Rate: The Texans generated pressure on nearly 40% of Rodgers' dropbacks.
- Turnovers: Two defensive touchdowns. You can't win playoff games when your defense is outscoring your offense.
- Red Zone: Houston’s defense held Pittsburgh to zero touchdowns on their limited trips deep into Texans territory.
Mike Tomlin’s post-game quote said it all: "Words are cheap." He knows the fan base is restless.
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But for Houston, this is a massive statement. They move on to face the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round. That game is scheduled for Sunday, January 18, at 3:00 PM ET.
Where the Monday Night Football Game Goes from Here
So, if you’re looking for a game this coming Monday, you’re going to be disappointed. The NFL concentrates its remaining schedule on the weekends to maximize viewership for the high-stakes rounds.
The "Monday Night Football" branding usually takes a breather after the Wild Card round. ESPN and ABC had their big showcase, and now the torch passes to CBS, FOX, and NBC for the Divisional and Championship weekends.
The Remaining Playoff Schedule
Since there isn't a Monday night game to plan your life around next week, here is how the Divisional Round actually shakes out:
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- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: Saturday, Jan 17 at 4:30 PM (CBS).
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: Saturday, Jan 17 at 8:15 PM (FOX).
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots: Sunday, Jan 18 at 3:00 PM (ABC/ESPN).
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears: Sunday, Jan 18 at 6:40 PM (NBC).
It’s weird not having that Monday night anchor. It feels like the week doesn't quite end properly without it. But the NFL is a business of efficiency, and they want those Sunday windows filled with the biggest matchups possible.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Schedule
A lot of people assume there is a Monday night game every week until the Super Bowl. Kinda makes sense, right? It's a brand. But the reality is that the NFL schedule is a complex beast.
The league uses the Monday slot during the regular season to spread out the inventory. Once you hit the playoffs, they want "Super Weekends." They want you on your couch for eight hours straight on Saturday and Sunday. Monday becomes a day for analysis and, for half the teams, for packing up lockers.
Another misconception is that the "ManningCast" continues through the whole playoffs. Peyton and Eli usually wrap up their season with that Wild Card Monday game. If you were hoping to see them breakdown the Divisional Round in real-time next Monday, you're out of luck.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since the Monday night cycle has ended for the season, you've got to adjust your viewing habits.
- Check Your Subscriptions: The Divisional games are spread across four different networks. Make sure you have access to CBS/Paramount+, FOX, NBC/Peacock, and ESPN/ABC.
- Set Your Calendar for Saturday: The action starts earlier than usual. If you wait until Sunday, you'll have already missed two elimination games.
- Watch the Injury Reports: Specifically for the Texans. They played on a short week (Monday) and now have to travel to New England for a Sunday afternoon game. That’s a brutal turnaround in the NFL.
- Prepare for Super Bowl LX: We are less than a month away from February 8 at Levi's Stadium. The path there no longer goes through Monday night.
The Texans proved they belong in the conversation. The Steelers proved they might need a total rebuild. And the rest of us just have to get used to our Mondays being a little quieter for the next few months.