The energy in Pittsburgh was electric. Honestly, it felt like the old days at Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers were coming in with a 23-game home winning streak on Monday nights. It was the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs. Fans were ready for a deep run, especially with Aaron Rodgers under center.
But the Houston Texans didn’t care about the history books.
If you’re looking for who won the monday night football games this week, the answer is a definitive—and somewhat shocking—win for the Houston Texans. They didn’t just win; they absolutely throttled the Steelers 30-6. It was a defensive masterclass that basically sucked the air out of the building by the middle of the fourth quarter.
Texans Defense Shuts Down Rodgers and the Steelers
It’s kinda wild when you look at the stats. The Steelers finished with only 175 yards of total offense. Aaron Rodgers, in what many are speculating could be his final NFL game, was sacked four times. He threw for 146 yards, but the real story was the turnovers.
Houston’s defense is currently ranked number one for a reason. They played like it.
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- Sheldon Rankins scooped up a fumble after a Will Anderson Jr. sack and took it 33 yards for a touchdown.
- Calen Bullock iced the game with a 50-yard pick-six.
- Danielle Hunter was a constant nightmare in the backfield.
The game was actually tight for a while. At halftime, it was 7-6. You’ve probably seen closer defensive battles, but this one felt like a ticking time bomb. The Steelers’ defense, led by T.J. Watt, kept them in it as long as they could. Watt called the loss "extremely frustrating" afterward, and you could see it on his face. He’s been through these early exits before.
The Breakdown: How Houston Pulled Away
The fourth quarter was a total meltdown for Pittsburgh. Houston put up 23 points in that final frame alone. Rookie running back Woody Marks punched in a 13-yard touchdown run to cap off an 87-yard drive that took nearly six minutes off the clock. That was the backbreaker.
By the time Bullock grabbed that interception and ran it back, the stadium was half-empty. It was the first time Mike Tomlin has ever lost a Monday night game at home.
What This Means for the NFL Playoff Picture
With Houston's win, the AFC Divisional Round is set. The Texans are moving on to face the New England Patriots on January 18. They’ve now won 10 games in a row dating back to the regular season. They are arguably the hottest team in football right now.
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Meanwhile, in the NFC, the dust has settled on their Wild Card matchups too. Here is how the rest of the weekend shook out:
- Chicago Bears mounted a massive comeback to beat the Green Bay Packers 31-27.
- San Francisco 49ers outlasted the Philadelphia Eagles 23-19.
- Los Angeles Rams took down the Carolina Panthers 34-31.
- New England Patriots handled the Chargers 16-3.
- Buffalo Bills squeaked past the Jaguars 27-24.
The "Monday Night Football" slot is always the grand finale of the opening weekend, and this one didn't disappoint if you're a fan of dominant defense. If you're a Steelers fan? Not so much.
Is This the End for Aaron Rodgers?
The post-game press conference was heavy. Rodgers was asked if he’d be back in Pittsburgh for 2026. His response? "I'm not gonna talk about that."
It’s the same song and dance we’ve seen for a few years, but this time felt different. Ending a Hall of Fame career with a pick-six in a blowout loss isn't the storybook finish anyone wants.
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Key Takeaways and Next Steps
If you're following the bracket, the road to the Super Bowl goes through Denver in the AFC and Seattle in the NFC. Both the Broncos and Seahawks looked dangerous in their Divisional matchups that followed this Wild Card weekend.
What to watch for next:
- Check the Injury Reports: Watch Houston's offensive line health before they travel to New England. They held up well against Pittsburgh, but the Patriots' pass rush is a different beast.
- Coaching Moves: Keep an eye on the Pittsburgh news cycle. Mike Tomlin tied the record for the longest playoff losing streak (7 games). People are starting to ask loud questions.
- College Football Crossover: Don't forget that the College Football Playoff National Championship is set for Monday, Jan. 19, 2026. If you're a football junkie, the "Monday Night" tradition continues there between Indiana and Miami.
The Texans have proven they can win on the road in January. That makes them a dangerous wildcard—literally and figuratively—as the tournament continues.
Actionable Insight: If you are betting or playing fantasy for the Divisional Round, prioritize defenses that score. Houston and Seattle have shown that defensive touchdowns are the current trend in these 2026 playoffs. Look for high-pressure fronts like the Patriots' to potentially replicate the Texans' success in the upcoming matchups.