If you were looking for a high-scoring shootout at Acrisure Stadium, you probably turned the TV off early. But if you wanted to see a defensive masterclass that might have just ended a legendary career, then you saw exactly what happened. The Houston Texans didn't just win; they absolutely dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30–6 in the final game of the Wild Card round.
Honestly, the score makes it look a bit more lopsided than it felt for the first three quarters. For a long time, this was a grimy, old-school defensive struggle. Then the fourth quarter hit. Houston exploded for 23 points in the final frame, turning a nail-biter into a blowout.
Who won the game tonight Monday Night Football and how it happened
The Texans are moving on to the Divisional Round to face the New England Patriots. For the Steelers, it’s the same old story. Another early playoff exit. That makes seven straight postseason losses for Mike Tomlin. It’s a tough pill for the city of Pittsburgh to swallow, especially since they hadn't lost a Monday night game at home in 23 tries.
That streak is dead now.
Houston’s defense was the real story. They held the Steelers to a measly 175 yards of total offense. Aaron Rodgers, who came to Pittsburgh on a one-year deal to try and catch lightning in a bottle, looked every bit his age tonight. He was sacked four times. He threw for only 146 yards. And that final pick-six? It felt like a definitive closing chapter.
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The turning point in the fourth quarter
For most of the night, it was 7–6. Then 10–6. It felt like one big play could swing it for either side.
That play came with 11:23 left in the game. Will Anderson Jr. got home on a third-and-11, blasting the ball out of Rodgers’ hand. Sheldon Rankins scooped it up and rumbled 33 yards for a touchdown. You could almost hear the air leave the stadium.
After that, the floodgates just opened.
- Sheldon Rankins: 33-yard fumble return TD.
- Woody Marks: 13-yard rushing touchdown.
- Calen Bullock: 50-yard interception return (Pick-6) off Rodgers.
By the time Bullock crossed the goal line with 2:39 left, the terrible towels were mostly being used to wipe away tears.
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Stat breakdown: Houston's dominance by the numbers
C.J. Stroud wasn't perfect—he actually fumbled five times and lost two of them—but he did enough. He finished 21-of-32 for 250 yards and a touchdown to Christian Kirk. Kirk was actually the unsung hero of the night, hauling in 8 catches for 144 yards. He was the only guy consistently finding space in a very crowded secondary.
Pittsburgh’s offense, on the other hand, was non-existent. They went 0-for-6 on third downs in the first half. They didn't find the end zone once. Chris Boswell provided all the scoring with two field goals (32 and 35 yards). That’s it. You can't win playoff games in 2026 by kicking field goals and gaining less than 200 yards.
Why this loss hurts Pittsburgh more than usual
This wasn't just a loss. It was the end of a long-standing identity. The Steelers pride themselves on winning these primetime home games.
Mike Tomlin was asked after the game what his message was to the fans. He was blunt: "Words are cheap." He knows the heat is coming. When you tie Marvin Lewis for the longest playoff losing streak in NFL history (seven games), the "Tomlin never has a losing season" stat starts to lose its luster.
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And then there is the Rodgers factor. He wouldn't commit to coming back in 2026 after the game. If that was his last throw—a 50-yard pick-six to a rookie safety—it’s a heartbreaking way for a Hall of Famer to go out.
What's next for the NFL playoffs
The Texans don't have much time to celebrate. They are headed to Foxborough to play the No. 2 seed New England Patriots on Sunday, January 18.
Houston has now won 10 games in a row dating back to the regular season. They are the hottest team in the AFC. DeMeco Ryans has this unit playing with a level of violence and discipline that is frankly scary for the rest of the bracket.
Next steps for football fans:
- Watch the Divisional Round: The schedule is set. Buffalo travels to Denver and San Francisco heads to Seattle on Saturday.
- Monitor the Rodgers news: Keep an eye on local Pittsburgh reports over the next 48 hours for any retirement whispers.
- Check the injury report: Houston’s Nico Collins left the game for a concussion evaluation and did not return. His availability for the Patriots game will be huge.
The road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara just got a lot more interesting. Houston is for real, and the AFC North's king has been officially dethroned.