In a historic playoff achievement, the Houston Texans secured their first road victory in franchise history by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 at Acrisure Stadium on Monday night. Integral to this milestone was the Texans' defensive unit, widely regarded as the league's best, which controlled the game and prevented the Steelers from scoring a touchdown.
Veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins energized his team early in the fourth quarter by returning a fumble by quarterback Aaron Rodgers 33 yards for a touchdown, breaking open a closely contested match. Rankins expressed the team's championship aspirations, stating, "We're here for it all. I won’t sugarcoat it, won’t dance around that topic. We’re here for the whole thing." These comments underscored the Texans' resolve as they secured their 10th consecutive win, improving the team’s record to 13-5.
Houston’s next challenge will come against the New England Patriots, a team with a 15-3 record, as the Texans aim to reach the AFC Championship game for the first time. Coach DeMeco Ryans lauded the defensive effort, describing it as the franchise's best defensive performance over its 24-year history. The Steelers were held to a mere 175 total yards across the game and just 81 yards in the second half, a testament to Houston’s defensive dominance.
Cornerback Calen Bullock, who sealed the victory by intercepting what may have been Rodgers’ final career pass and returning it 50 yards for a touchdown, commented on the performance, "Every time we go out there, we show we’re the best. We went out there and showed it today. I don’t think they even scored a touchdown."
The Steelers' offense struggled considerably, managing only two first-half field goals from Chris Boswell. This loss marked the team's first home defeat on a Monday night since 1991 and continued a troubling postseason trend, as Pittsburgh has now lost seven straight playoff games. Coach Mike Tomlin reflected on the situation, acknowledging the difficulty of the current moment but emphasizing the challenges inherent in professional football.
Houston’s quarterback, C.J. Stroud, threw three turnovers but also led an effective offensive drive, passing a first-half touchdown to Christian Kirk, who totaled eight receptions for 144 yards. Running back Woody Marks contributed 112 rushing yards, including a crucial 13-yard touchdown run with just under four minutes left, which solidified the Texans’ lead. Stroud emphasized resilience in his play, noting, "It’s all about moving forward and trying your best to flush it and keep going. Every time we had to bounce back, we made more plays."
Aaron Rodgers concluded his 21st NFL season with a modest 146-yard passing game. His future in the league remains uncertain as he contemplates retirement. Rodgers acknowledged the bittersweet nature of his year, noting considerable adversity despite many enjoyable moments. His final pass was intercepted by Bullock, who eluded Rodgers' attempted tackle en route to the end zone.
The Steelers’ defense had earlier made life difficult for Stroud, forcing errors that kept the game competitive until late stages. Despite these efforts, the team could not capitalize sufficiently on Houston’s turnovers, scoring only three points from those opportunities.
Wide receiver DK Metcalf returned from a two-game suspension but was limited to two receptions for 42 yards and dropped a critical pass that impeded the Steelers’ chance to extend an early lead.
After an uncertain start, Houston’s offense found rhythm, managing a 7-6 advantage by executing a 16-play, 92-yard drive culminating in Stroud's short touchdown pass to Kirk. Unlike past late rallies, the Steelers were unable to respond effectively, leading to their continued postseason struggles.
As the Steelers prepare for the NFL draft and an offseason focused on acquiring a new quarterback, questions remain about the team’s ability to end a nearly decade-long playoff victory drought. Meanwhile, the Texans approach their next game against the Patriots as the NFL’s hottest team, buoyed by a formidable defense and an eager quarterback seeking to build upon this breakthrough victory.
Injuries were a factor for the Texans as well, with wide receivers Nico Collins and Justin Watson entering concussion protocols during the second half, and safety Jaylen Reed briefly leaving the field with a knee injury after returning from injured reserve.
Houston’s upcoming matchup with New England will mark their first encounter this season, while the Steelers turn their attention to the upcoming draft, which Pittsburgh is hosting in late April.