At a Glance
- Houston’s defense scored twice in the fourth quarter to turn a 7-6 nail-biter into a 30-6 rout
- Aaron Rodgers threw a pick-six that could be the final pass of his 21-year career
- Mike Tomlin has now lost seven straight playoff games, all by double digits
- Why it matters: The Texans advance to face the Patriots while Pittsburgh faces an off-season of quarterback and coaching questions
The Houston Texans turned a defensive slugfest into a statement blowout, scoring 23 fourth-quarter points to eliminate the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 in Monday’s wild-card showdown at Acrisure Stadium. The loss may also mark the end of Aaron Rodgers’ two-decade NFL journey.
Fourth-Quarter Meltdown
For three quarters the game felt like a field-goal contest. Houston clung to a 7-6 lead, managing only a single touchdown while the Steelers settled for two short kicks. Then the dam broke.
- Sheldon Rankins scooped up a Rodgers strip-sack and rumbled into the end zone
- After a quick Texans touchdown run, Calen Bullock jumped a route and returned the interception 50 yards for another score
- A late field goal pushed the margin to 24 points, the final dagger in Pittsburgh’s season
The outburst gave Houston its first road playoff victory in franchise history and booked a date with the No. 2 New England Patriots and quarterback Drake Maye.
Winners
Texans’ Defense
Coordinator DeMeco Ryans‘ unit carried an offense that sputtered for much of the night. In addition to the two defensive touchdowns, Houston sacked Rodgers four times and held the Steelers to 2 of 12 on third down. The performance continued a postseason trend of defenses scoring in bunches; the Texans became the latest team to turn takeaways into points.
Christian Kirk
The 29-year-old wideout looked like his 2022 Pro Bowl self, torching Pittsburgh’s secondary for 144 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions. Three of his catches went for 30-plus yards, providing the chunk plays C.J. Stroud could not generate elsewhere. With Nico Collins sidelined again, Kirk’s resurgence came at the perfect moment.
Losers
Mike Tomlin
The league’s longest-tenured head coach watched his postseason losing streak stretch to seven games, each by double digits. Pittsburgh’s last playoff victory remains the 2016 AFC Championship Game. Front-office patience historically runs deep in the Steel City, but consecutive early exits intensify questions about whether a new voice is required to elevate a roster stuck in neutral.
C.J. Stroud
Houston moves on despite its sophomore quarterback looking ordinary again. Stroud completed 21 of 32 passes for 250 yards, one touchdown and one interception, but he also fumbled five times-losing two. The Texans can survive those mistakes against limited offenses; repeating them next week in New England is a recipe for elimination.
Aaron Rodgers
If the 41-year-old retires, his final NFL throw will be a pick-six into the hands of a streaking defensive back. Operating behind a banged-up line with few proven weapons, Rodgers managed only 146 yards on 17-of-33 passing and took four sacks. The four-time MVP may ponder retirement, yet the scarcity of developed young quarterbacks and Philip Rivers’ recent successful return suggest at least one franchise will view him as a 2025 starter rather than a backup.
Key Takeaways
- Houston’s defense travels: holding a playoff opponent to six points on its home field sets the tone for any series
- Pittsburgh’s offense needs an overhaul: whether Rodgers returns or not, the Steelers must surround their quarterback with more explosive options
- The Texans head to Foxborough confident their defense can keep them in any game, but Stroud must protect the football to keep the season alive
