If you’re frantically searching for who won the Houston Texans football game today, you might be a little ahead of the clock—but only just. It is Thursday, January 15, 2026. The Texans didn't take the field today. They’re currently tucked away in film rooms and shivering through practice reps. Why? Because they just pulled off the unthinkable on Monday night, and they’ve got the biggest game in franchise history coming up this Sunday.
Basically, the "today" answer is a victory lap. The Texans are still basking in the glow of a 30-6 demolition of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It wasn't just a win. It was a statement. Houston went into Acrisure Stadium as an underdog and left with the first road playoff win the franchise has ever recorded. If you missed the Monday night action, you missed a defensive masterclass that looked less like a modern NFL game and more like a 1980s wrestling match.
The Monday Night Beatdown: How Houston Silenced the Steel City
Honestly, the scoreline doesn't even tell the whole story. While C.J. Stroud has been the face of the "H-Town" resurgence, this specific victory was all about DeMeco Ryans’ defense. They didn't just beat the Steelers; they suffocated them.
The turning point was a fourth-quarter explosion that turned a tight contest into a total rout. First, Sheldon Rankins scooped up a fumble and rumbled 33 yards for a touchdown. Before the Terrible Towels could even stop shaking, rookie Calen Bullock snagged an interception and housed it from 50 yards out.
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Two defensive touchdowns. In the playoffs. On the road.
Here is the quick breakdown of that Monday Night Wild Card game:
- Final Score: Houston Texans 30, Pittsburgh Steelers 6
- The X-Factor: The Texans' defense sacked Aaron Rodgers (yes, still playing!) four times and held the entire Steelers offense to a measly 175 total yards.
- The Struggle: Stroud actually had a rough night, throwing three interceptions. In any other year, that’s a season-ending disaster. In 2026, this defense is so elite it just didn't matter.
Why Everyone is Talking About the Texans Right Now
You’ve gotta realize how improbable this run is. Back in September, things looked bleak. The Texans started the season 0-3. People were whispering that maybe the "sophomore slump" hit Stroud a year late or that the AFC South was just too tough.
Then something clicked.
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They went on a nine-game winning streak. They finished the regular season 12-5. And now, they’ve exorcised the road playoff demon. For a team that has historically struggled the second they leave NRG Stadium, winning in the Pittsburgh cold was a massive psychological hurdle.
What's Next? The Patriots Are Waiting
Since there was no game today, the focus shifts entirely to Sunday, January 18. The Texans are heading to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots in the Divisional Round.
This is the big one.
The Patriots are the No. 2 seed, led by Drake Maye, who has turned into a legitimate superstar in his second year. It’s a classic "Immovable Object vs. Unstoppable Force" scenario. You’ve got Houston’s top-ranked defense (ranked 1st in total yards allowed this year) going up against a Patriots offense that averaged nearly 29 points a game.
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Key Matchups for Sunday:
The edge rushers are going to decide this game. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter combined for 27 sacks this season. If they can get in Drake Maye’s face early, Houston has a real shot at making their first-ever AFC Championship Game.
On the flip side, Stroud has to be better than he was on Monday. You can’t throw three picks against a Bill Belichick-schooled defense (even under Mike Vrabel) and expect to survive. Stroud and center Jake Andrews have reportedly been spending extra time this week fixing snap issues and communication blunders that plagued them in Pittsburgh.
Actionable Insights for Texans Fans
If you're following the team this week, here is what you need to keep an eye on before the Sunday kickoff:
- Monitor the Injury Report: Keep a close watch on the status of the offensive line. Stroud needs a clean pocket to regain his rhythm.
- Check the Weather: Sunday in New England in mid-January is never "nice." If it’s a snow game, the advantage swings toward the running game and Houston's stifling defense.
- Broadcasting Info: The game will be on ABC/ESPN at 3:00 PM CST this Sunday.
The Texans are playing with house money at this point, but nobody in that locker room feels like they're done. They’ve proven they can win on the road, they’ve proven they can win when their star QB has an "off" night, and they’ve proven the 0-3 start was a fluke.
Whether you're a die-hard fan or just checking the scores, keep an eye on those defensive ends. If Hunter and Anderson Jr. are dancing in the backfield on Sunday, the Texans might just be heading to the AFC Championship.