So, the question on everyone’s mind right now: who won the Texans football game today? Well, if you’re looking for a final score from Saturday, January 17, 2026, there’s a bit of a twist. The Houston Texans didn't actually play today.
They played this past Monday, and they’re set to play again tomorrow.
Right now, the Texans are smack in the middle of one of the most electric playoff runs this city has seen in decades. They’re coming off a massive, history-making 30-6 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round. That game was huge because it wasn't just a win—it was the first road playoff victory in the entire history of the franchise.
The big win that got them here
Honestly, that Monday night game against the Steelers was a defensive masterclass. If you missed it, you missed Sheldon Rankins basically ending the game on his own. He scooped up an Aaron Rodgers fumble and took it 33 yards to the house in the fourth quarter. It turned a tight, stressful game into a blowout.
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C.J. Stroud was, well, Stroud. He wasn't perfect—he actually fumbled twice and threw a pick—but he managed the game when it mattered. He led a 16-play, 92-yard soul-crusher of a drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Christian Kirk. That’s what high-level QB play looks like. You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to be better than the other guy when the clock is ticking.
What's happening today in the NFL?
While you might be searching for the Texans score today, January 17, the NFL schedule-makers actually have two other Divisional Round games taking place right now:
- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos (The AFC side of the bracket)
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks (The NFC side)
The Texans are currently in a hotel or perhaps getting one last walkthrough in before they face the New England Patriots tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, at 3:00 PM ET.
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Looking ahead to the Patriots matchup
The matchup tomorrow at Gillette Stadium is going to be a battle of wills. It’s supposed to be cold—maybe even snowy—and that changes everything. The Texans have won 10 games in a row. Let that sink in. They were 3-5 at one point this season, and they haven’t lost since.
New England, coached by Mike Vrabel, has a defense that has held teams to 10 points or fewer in three straight games. It’s going to be a "rock fight," as some analysts like to call it.
Basically, if the Texans want to move on to the AFC Championship, they need the "Fearsome Foursome" (Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter, Sheldon Rankins, and Denico Autry) to keep playing like they did against Pittsburgh. They held the Steelers to just 175 total yards. If they do that to Drake Maye and the Pats, Houston is moving on.
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Key storylines for the next game:
- C.J. Stroud vs. The Cold: We saw him handle the Pittsburgh chill, but Foxborough in January is a different animal.
- The Win Streak: Can Houston keep the momentum of a 10-game winning streak alive against a disciplined Vrabel team?
- Health: Keeping an eye on the injury report for any late changes to the offensive line is going to be vital.
The Texans are playing like a team that actually believes they can win the Super Bowl. It’s not just talk anymore. You can see it in the way DeMeco Ryans carries himself on the sideline.
So, while there isn't a "Texans score" to report for today, the stage is set for a massive Sunday. You'll want to clear your schedule for that 3:00 PM kickoff.
To get ready for the game tomorrow, keep a close eye on the final injury reports usually released late Saturday evening. If the Texans’ pass rush stays healthy and Stroud avoids the "jittery" starts we saw in the Wild Card round, Houston has a very real shot at making their first-ever AFC Championship appearance. Check the weather forecasts for Foxborough tonight, as a heavy snow forecast could significantly favor the running game and Woody Marks over the deep passing attack.