Texans' defense sent the Steelers' packing

The Houston Texans pulled away late leaving Pittsburgh with a huge playoff road victory, defeating the Steelers 30–6.

For most of the night, neither offense could find any rhythm. Through three quarters, points were at a premium and both teams struggled to move the ball consistently. The Texans held a slim 7–6 lead heading into the fourth quarter in what had been a gritty, hard-hitting playoff matchup that felt like it could swing either way at any moment.

That all changed once the Texans’ defense took complete control. When it mattered most, Houston shut the door on every opportunity the Steelers had, delivering one of the most dominant defensive closing performances of the postseason. Pressure, tight coverage, and disciplined tackling completely erased any chance of a Pittsburgh comeback and officially ended the Steelers’ playoff hopes.

Offensively, it was not a perfect day for quarterback C.J. Stroud. He had issues holding onto the football, losing two fumbles and throwing a costly interception in the red zone that could have swung momentum earlier in the game. Despite those mistakes, Stroud stayed composed and made big plays when needed. He connected frequently with Christian Kirk, who had a massive performance with 14 receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown, consistently moving the chains and stretching the Steelers’ defense.

The Texans also found success on the ground. Running back Woody Marks delivered a productive outing, rushing for 112 yards and a touchdown while helping Houston control the tempo late in the game.

With the win, the Texans advance to the divisional round where they will head to New England to face the Patriots. Meanwhile, a major question lingers in Pittsburgh: was this the final game of Aaron Rodgers’ legendary career?