Monday, January 12, 2026 — AFC Wild Card Round
PITTSBURGH, PA — The Houston Texans delivered a commanding performance Monday night, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 30–6 in the final game of the NFL Wild Card round at Acrisure Stadium. Houston’s defense stifled the Steelers’ attack, while its offense produced enough big plays to secure the franchise’s first road playoff victory in history and clinch a spot in the AFC Divisional Round.
The victory ended Pittsburgh’s long Monday Night Football home winning streak and continued a frustrating postseason slide for the Steelers, who have now dropped their seventh straight playoff game.
Texans Strike First, Steelers Manage Only Early Field Goals
Pittsburgh opened the scoring early in the first quarter when veteran kicker Chris Boswell drilled a 32-yard field goal, giving the home team an initial 3–0 lead. But Houston responded in the second quarter with a **6-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud to wide receiver Christian Kirk, capping a sustained 92-yard drive that swung momentum in the visitors’ favor.
After the Texans’ touchdown put them ahead 7–3, the Steelers were only able to add another field goal before halftime, with Boswell converting from 35 yards to trim the deficit to 7–6.
Defense Sets Tone, Texans Pull Away in the Second Half
What followed was a dominant showing by Houston’s defense. The Texans shut down the Steelers’ offense for much of the second half, limiting star quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh attack to just two field goals on the night and holding them scoreless after halftime.
In the fourth quarter, Houston put the game out of reach. Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn connected on a 51-yard field goal to extend the lead to 10–6, and the Texans’ defense added critical scores of their own. Veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins returned a fumble 33 yards for a touchdown, giving Houston a two-score cushion and energizing the visiting sideline.
The Texans closed the scoring with a series of defensive stops and consistent field position advantage, sealing the final 30–6 margin.
Standout Performances
Houston’s offense was balanced and efficient. While Stroud’s numbers were modest by his standards, he showed leadership under pressure, finding targets like Kirk and supplementing his passing attack with smart decision-making to keep drives alive. Kirk finished with a team-high in receiving yards and the early touchdown that set Houston on course.
The Texans’ defense, however, was the star of the night, dominating at the line of scrimmage and forcing multiple three-and-outs that kept the Steelers’ offense off balance. Houston’s ability to get stops and make big plays — including the turnover return for a touchdown — underscored why their defense is regarded among the league’s best.
Steelers Season Ends, Texans Advance
For the Steelers, the loss brought a disappointing end to a season that showed promise but ultimately faltered against a Texans squad peaking at the right time. Pittsburgh’s offense struggled to find traction after the opening quarter, and despite Rodgers’ veteran presence, the unit could not sustain momentum against a swarming Houston defense.
With the impressive road win, the Texans advance to the AFC Divisional Round, where they will face a higher-seeded opponent and continue their postseason push. For Houston, this victory marked a historic milestone and a statement about the team’s resilience and defensive identity.
For Pittsburgh, the season ends with reflection and questions about how to return to playoff relevance next year after this lopsided result.