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
- Pittsburgh has now lost seven straight playoff games since the 2016 AFC Championship
- Why it matters: The Texans advance to face the No. 2 Patriots while Rodgers’ future hangs in limbo
Houston’s defense dominated the fourth quarter, scoring two touchdowns off a strip-sack and an interception to propel the Texans to a 30-6 wild-card victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on Monday night.
Fourth-Quarter Collapse
The game remained sluggish through three quarters, with Houston clinging to a 7-6 lead. Everything changed in the final 15 minutes.
Key plays that broke it open:
- Sheldon Rankins returned a strip-sack for a touchdown
- Calen Bullock picked off Rodgers and took it 50 yards to the house
- Houston outscored Pittsburgh 23-0 in the fourth
The Texans earned their first road playoff win in franchise history.
Winners
Texans’ Defense
DeMeco Ryans’ unit carried the offense. The strip-sack touchdown came with Houston up 10-6; the pick-six followed a Woody Marks rushing score.
Christian Kirk
The 29-year-old wideout erupted for 144 yards and a touchdown on eight catches. Three receptions went for 30-plus yards, giving Stroud a reliable target on an otherwise inconsistent night.
Losers
Mike Tomlin, Steelers
Pittsburgh has dropped seven straight playoff games, the last five by double digits. Tomlin, now holding the longest active coaching tenure, could face scrutiny after another one-and-done postseason.
C.J. Stroud
The 2023 No. 2 overall pick completed 21 of 32 passes for 250 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also fumbled five times, losing two. Without Nico Collins, the offense sputtered until the defense took over.
Aaron Rodgers
Playing with limited weapons, Rodgers finished 17 of 33 for 146 yards, no touchdowns and the decisive pick-six. He was sacked four times and lost a fumble. If retirement follows, his final NFL throw will be an interception returned for a touchdown.
What’s Next
Houston travels to New England to face Drake Maye and the No. 2 Patriots. Pittsburgh enters an offseason of questions around Tomlin’s future and Rodgers’ potential retirement.
