Man, what a night. If you were looking for a quiet Monday evening, you definitely picked the wrong time to check the scores. Between the NFL Wild Card wrap-up and a surprisingly busy slate of European soccer, there was a lot to digest. Honestly, the biggest shock wasn't just who won, but how they did it.
The Houston Texans didn't just win; they essentially performed a clinical dismantling of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Final score: 30-6. It’s kinda wild when you think about it—this was Houston’s first road playoff win in their entire 24-year history. Before yesterday, they were 0-6 in away postseason games. Talk about breaking a curse in style.
The NFL Wild Card Finale: Texans Stun the Steelers
Everyone was talking about Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin before kickoff. The Steelers had this incredible 23-game home winning streak on Monday Night Football. It felt like one of those "impossible to win" environments for a young team like Houston. But DeMeco Ryans clearly didn't get the memo.
The game was actually tight for a while. At halftime, it was 7-6. You’ve probably seen games like this before where the defenses just trade blows until someone blinks. C.J. Stroud actually struggled, which is sort of the lead that's being buried today. He had three turnovers, including a red-zone interception by Brandin Echols that nearly turned the tide.
But the Texans' defense? Total monsters.
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They generated -33.4 EPA (Expected Points Added), which is officially the most dominant defensive performance in a playoff game in the last decade. The turning point was purely cinematic. Will Anderson Jr. got to Rodgers, stripped the ball, and Sheldon Rankins rumbled 33 yards for a touchdown. That 17-6 lead in the fourth quarter basically broke Pittsburgh’s spirit. The Texans piled on after that, scoring 23 points in the final frame alone.
Key Takeaways from Texans vs. Steelers:
- Houston Advances: They are headed to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots on Sunday, January 18.
- End of an Era? The Steelers have now lost seven straight playoff games. The questions about Rodgers’ future and Tomlin’s postseason rut are going to be loud this week.
- The Streak is Dead: Pittsburgh’s 23-game home MNF winning streak is officially over.
Soccer Roundup: Manchester City and Cup Drama
While the pads were clashing in Pennsylvania, there was plenty of action across the pond. If you're following the English League Cup, you saw Manchester City do what Manchester City does. They took care of business against Newcastle United with a 2-0 win. It wasn't exactly a thriller, but City’s control of the midfield is just... it's relentless.
Over in Italy, the Coppa Italia provided a bit more spice. Roma fell to Torino 3-2 in a match that had a lot of "yesterday's football games" fans scratching their heads. Roma's defense looked porous, and Torino took full advantage of every counter-attack opportunity.
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In Spain’s Copa Del Rey, Athletic Club survived a legitimate scare against Cultural Leonesa. It ended 4-3 after extra time. You have to feel for the underdogs there; they had the giants on the ropes for a good eighty minutes before the depth of the La Liga side finally told.
Quick Soccer Scorecard:
- EFL Cup: Newcastle 0-2 Manchester City
- Coppa Italia: Roma 2-3 Torino
- Copa Del Rey: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Deportivo La Coruna
- Bundesliga: Stuttgart 3-2 Frankfurt
College Football: The Calm Before the Storm
If you were looking for the National Championship game yesterday, you were a week early—or perhaps just checking the wrong division. While the FBS title game between No. 1 Indiana and No. 10 Miami isn't until Monday, January 19, we are still reeling from the FCS results.
Montana State is currently the toast of Bozeman after their 35-34 overtime win against Illinois State. That happened on the 5th, but the ripples are still being felt in the coaching circles as we move into the final week of the season.
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Honestly, the "Indiana vs. Miami" talk is reaching a fever pitch. Nobody expected the Hoosiers to be the #1 seed in the country back in August, yet here they are after trouncing Oregon 55-26 in the semifinal.
What This Means for Your Bracket (and Your Sanity)
If you're betting or just following along for the glory, the NFL Divisional Round is now set in stone. The Texans win was the final piece of the puzzle.
- AFC Matchups: Bills vs. Broncos / Texans vs. Patriots
- NFC Matchups: 49ers vs. Seahawks / Rams vs. Bears
The fact that the Bears and Texans are both still alive in 2026 is a testament to how fast the NFL moves. A couple of years ago, both were cellar dwellers. Now? They're legitimate threats.
If you missed the games, the biggest thing to remember is the shift in momentum. Houston is on a 10-game winning streak. They are the hottest team in football right now. Whether that holds up against Drake Maye and the Patriots in the next round is the million-dollar question.
Actionable Next Steps for Football Fans:
- Check the Injury Report: Monitor C.J. Stroud’s status. Even though they won, those five fumbles (two lost) suggest he might be dealing with a grip issue or just high-pressure jitters.
- Set Your DVR: The Divisional Round kicks off Saturday, Jan 17 with Bills-Broncos at 4:30 PM ET.
- Soccer Watch: Keep an eye on the German Bundesliga standings; Stuttgart’s 3-2 win yesterday puts them in a prime position for European qualification spots.
The road to the Super Bowl (scheduled for Feb 8) and the College Football National Championship (Jan 19) is narrowing. It’s basically the best time of the year to be a sports fan, provided your team didn't just get blown out by 24 points in their own stadium.