If you turned off the TV at halftime thinking we had a defensive slugfest on our hands, you missed a total meltdown in the Steel City. Honestly, it was brutal. The Houston Texans didn't just win; they absolutely dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 to close out Wild Card Weekend.
It was ugly.
Going into the half, it was a 7-6 game. You’d think the Steelers, playing at Acrisure Stadium where they had a ridiculous 23-game home winning streak on Monday nights, would find a way. Mike Tomlin on Monday night at home? Usually a lock. But the Texans' defense—that "S.W.A.R.M." unit DeMeco Ryans has been building—decided to play spoiler in the most violent way possible.
The Moment Everything Broke
For three quarters, this was a game of field goals and punts. Then the fourth quarter happened. Houston dropped 23 unanswered points in the final frame.
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The backbreaker came with about 11 minutes left. Aaron Rodgers, who had been under fire all night, got hit by Will Anderson Jr. on a third-and-long. The ball popped loose, and Sheldon Rankins scooped it up for a 33-yard rumble into the end zone. 17-6. You could feel the air leave the stadium.
Steelers fans have seen this movie before. The playoff losing streak for Pittsburgh has now hit seven games. That’s nearly a decade without a postseason win. For a franchise that prides itself on "The Standard," that standard is looking a bit dusty.
By the Numbers: Why Houston Dominated
When you look at the box score, it’s a miracle the score wasn't worse earlier.
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- Total Yards: Houston 408, Pittsburgh 175.
- Third Down Conversions: The Steelers went a pathetic 2-for-14.
- Turnovers: Rodgers threw a late pick-six to Calen Bullock that made it 30-6, putting the final nail in the coffin.
C.J. Stroud didn't have to be a superhero. He was efficient, throwing a 6-yard touchdown to Christian Kirk in the second quarter and mostly just staying out of the way of his dominant defense. He did have one interception near the goal line, but the Steelers' offense was so stagnant it didn't even matter.
Is This the End for Aaron Rodgers?
It's the question everyone is asking this morning. Rodgers finished 5-of-13 under pressure for a measly 47 yards. He was sacked four times. Seeing him sitting on the bench in the closing minutes, just staring into space, felt like an era ending. At 42, behind a line that couldn't stop Danielle Hunter or Will Anderson, you have to wonder if he’s got another year of hits in him.
Mike Tomlin was blunt after the game. "Words are cheap," he told reporters. He’s now tied with Marvin Lewis for the longest playoff losing streak by a head coach. That’s not a stat you want on your Hall of Fame resume.
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What's Next for the Texans?
Houston is officially the "team nobody wants to play" right now. They’ve won 10 in a row dating back to the regular season. This was their first road playoff win in franchise history—they were 0-6 before last night.
They are heading to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots on Sunday, January 18. If the defense plays like they did last night, forcing two defensive touchdowns and keeping an opponent under 200 yards, the Patriots are going to have a long afternoon.
Immediate Takeaways for Your Bracket
If you're looking ahead to the Divisional Round, here is what the schedule looks like after the Texans' big win:
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos (4:30 PM ET)
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (8:00 PM ET)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET)
- Sunday, Jan 18: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET)
The Texans opened as 3.5-point favorites against the Steelers, and for anyone who took the points, it was a sweat-free fourth quarter. Keep an eye on the injury report for Houston’s star receiver Nico Collins, who left the game for a concussion evaluation and didn't return. Losing him would be a massive blow for the matchup against the Patriots' secondary.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your local sportsbook or fantasy platforms early this week, as the line for Texans vs. Patriots is likely to shift quickly depending on the Nico Collins news. If you’re a Steelers fan, it’s officially "mock draft season"—expect plenty of talk regarding the offensive line and the future of the QB position in the coming days.