Texans 23, Steelers 17: Houston's Defense Suffocates Pittsburgh in Wild Card Win
PITTSBURGH — The Houston Texans held off the Pittsburgh Steelers 23-17 on Monday night at Acrisure Stadium, advancing to the divisional round behind a dominant defensive performance that stifled Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers' offense when it mattered most.
Houston's top-ranked defense forced three interceptions and held Pittsburgh to just 287 total yards, extending Mike Tomlin's playoff losing streak to seven games. The Steelers haven't won a postseason game since January 2016.
Defense Carries Houston Through Freezing Conditions
The Texans came into Pittsburgh riding a nine-game winning streak, but C.J. Stroud and the offense struggled early in the bitter cold. Chris Boswell's 32-yard field goal midway through the first quarter gave Pittsburgh a 3-0 lead, and the crowd at Acrisure Stadium sensed an upset brewing.
Houston's defense had other plans. Derek Stingley Jr. and the secondary locked down Pittsburgh's receivers while Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter pressured Rodgers throughout the night. The Texans held Pittsburgh's running game to just 87 yards, with Kenneth Gainwell managing only 43 yards on 18 carries and Jaylen Warren adding 31.
"Our guys have been in pressure situations all year," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said after the game. "This was just another one."
Ka'imi Fairbairn, who tied an NFL record with 44 field goals during the regular season, kicked three more in the win, including a clutch 43-yarder in the fourth quarter that gave Houston the lead for good.
Rodgers' Postseason Struggles Continue
At 42 years old, Aaron Rodgers might have played his final game in a Steelers uniform. The future Hall of Famer threw for 238 yards and a touchdown without turning the ball over, but he couldn't make the big plays Pittsburgh desperately needed.
"Credit to their defense," Rodgers said. "They're the best in the league for a reason. Made it tough on us all night."
DK Metcalf, returning from a two-game suspension, was held to just four catches for 52 yards as Houston's secondary blanketed Pittsburgh's receiving corps. The Steelers managed only 17 points against a defense that allowed 17.4 points per game during the regular season.
Stroud Does Just Enough in Cold Weather
Stroud came into the game 0-3 in his career when temperatures dropped below 40 degrees, and Monday night in Pittsburgh featured single-digit wind chill. He completed 19 of 31 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown, nothing spectacular but enough to win.
Nico Collins caught six passes for 89 yards, and Joe Mixon added 76 rushing yards to keep Houston's offense moving when it needed to. The Texans scored 23 points in a defensive slugfest, and on a night like this, that was plenty.
Tomlin's Job Security Under Scrutiny Again
Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season in 18 years as Pittsburgh's head coach, a remarkable achievement. But he also hasn't won a playoff game since 2016, and seven straight postseason losses have fans and analysts questioning his future with the organization.
In late November, after a blowout loss to Buffalo, fans at Acrisure Stadium chanted for Tomlin to be fired. The Steelers responded by winning four of their last five to capture the AFC North title at 10-7. But another early playoff exit only amplifies the criticism.
"They've got to find something to try and get after him," Rodgers said, defending his coach. "Mike T.'s probably like me, though. He doesn't care about those comments. We all love him. We want to play for him. We want to win for him."
The Steelers organization has stood by Tomlin through the drought, and they'll likely continue to do so. But at some point, playoff results have to matter.
What's Next
Houston advances to face the top-seeded Denver Broncos in the divisional round next weekend, a brutal matchup against Bo Nix and an offense that's been rolling all season. But if Houston's defense plays like it did Monday night, the Texans have a legitimate shot to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive.
For Pittsburgh, the offseason brings more questions than answers. Will Rodgers return for the final year of his contract, or will retirement call? What happens with Tomlin after another playoff disappointment? How does a franchise with Super Bowl expectations reconcile another early exit?
The Steelers won the AFC North and finished 10-7, but in Pittsburgh, that's never been the standard. On a freezing Monday night, Houston's defense proved to be the difference, suffocating Pittsburgh's offense and punching their ticket to the divisional round.
Final: Texans 23, Steelers 17
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