The Houston Texans made franchise history on January 12, 2026, by notching their first road playoff victory, dismantling the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 in the NFL wild-card round at Acrisure Stadium. For a team that had never won a postseason game away from home, the Texans didn’t just break the curse—they shattered it, dominating on both sides of the ball and leaving the Steelers faithful in stunned silence.
Coming into the contest, the Texans were riding a nine-game winning streak and entered as 3.5-point underdogs, but anyone watching would have been hard-pressed to see them as such. The defense, in particular, was relentless, holding the Steelers to a paltry 175 total yards and outscoring Pittsburgh’s offense with two defensive touchdowns of their own. For the Steelers, it was another postseason disappointment, marking their eighth consecutive playoff run ending in a one-and-done exit.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud, in his playoff debut, had a rollercoaster evening. He finished with 21 completions on 32 attempts for 250 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Yet, it was his trouble handling the ball that drew the most attention—Stroud fumbled five times, losing two, and tied the NFL playoff record for most fumbles in a game, a dubious mark previously shared with Warren Moon of the Houston Oilers. Despite these miscues, Stroud’s resilience shone through, leading the Texans on several key drives in the second half.
“Everything from top to bottom was terrible for the Texans to close out the second quarter,” one observer noted, referencing the team’s missed opportunities and Stroud’s red zone interception caused by defensive back Brandin Echols. Still, the Texans found ways to respond, and the offense ultimately racked up 408 yards—164 of them on the ground, a marked improvement over their regular-season average of 108.9 rushing yards per game.
Rookie running back Woody Marks was the breakout star of the night, recording his first 100-yard rushing game as a pro. Marks carried the ball 19 times for 112 yards and a 13-yard touchdown that put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter. “Have a night, Woody Marks,” Texans fans could be heard exclaiming as the rookie powered through the vaunted Steelers front seven.
Christian Kirk, acquired in the offseason, delivered his best performance in a Texans uniform, catching six passes for 144 yards and a touchdown. His 46-yard reception set up a crucial scoring drive, and his 8-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter gave Houston an early lead. Kirk’s resurgence was particularly timely, as leading receiver Nico Collins exited the game in the third quarter after suffering a concussion. With Collins sidelined, Kirk became Stroud’s go-to target, stepping up in the biggest moment of the season.
The game’s turning point came early in the fourth quarter. With the Texans holding a narrow 10-6 lead and the Steelers threatening to swing momentum, All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. burst into the backfield, strip-sacked Aaron Rodgers, and watched as defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins scooped up the loose ball and rumbled 33 yards for a touchdown. The play ignited the Texans’ sideline and silenced the home crowd. “A strip sack from All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr. resulted in a recovery by Sheldon Rankins, who took it back 33 yards for a touchdown. That might be enough for Houston to move on with how well the defense continues to play,” one analyst remarked.
Rankins’ score was just the start of a 23-point fourth-quarter explosion that buried the Steelers. Moments later, rookie safety Calen Bullock put the exclamation point on the win by picking off Rodgers and returning it 50 yards for another touchdown. The Texans’ defense, which had been a strength all season, saved its best for the biggest stage, harassing Rodgers into one of his worst postseason performances.
For Aaron Rodgers, the night was a far cry from his usual playoff heroics. The veteran quarterback, who had only been held under 20 points once in 21 previous playoff starts, completed just 17 of 33 passes for 146 yards, one interception, and no touchdowns. The Texans’ pass rush sacked him four times and forced multiple errant throws, including the fumble that Rankins returned for a score. Rodgers’ inability to move the offense was evident as the Steelers managed just two field goals all game.
Pittsburgh’s offense never found its rhythm, and the running game was stifled, with Jaylen Warren’s 10-yard burst on the opening play standing as the lone highlight. The Steelers’ strategy of running on first down yielded little success, averaging just 2.6 yards per carry through three quarters. For all the advances the team made to reach the postseason, the offense’s lack of firepower proved fatal.
The loss also extended a frustrating streak for Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, who became the first in franchise history to go nine consecutive seasons without a playoff victory. As the game slipped away in the fourth quarter, chants of “Fire Tomlin” echoed through Acrisure Stadium, underscoring the growing impatience among Pittsburgh fans. Tomlin remains under contract for at least another year, but with the team at a crossroads, the offseason promises plenty of soul-searching in the Steel City.
Special teams also played a role in Houston’s dominance. Kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn drilled a 51-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter, pushing the Texans’ lead to four points and further demoralizing the Steelers. Fairbairn’s steady leg has been a constant for Houston all season, and his clutch kick set the stage for the defense to take over down the stretch.
With the victory, the Texans advance to face the New England Patriots in the divisional round at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET, broadcast on ESPN/ABC. The matchup promises to be a stern test for Houston, but after such a resounding performance on the road, few are counting them out. Should the Texans win and the Buffalo Bills defeat the Denver Broncos, Houston could even host the AFC Championship Game—a scenario that seemed unthinkable just a year ago.
For now, the Texans and their fans can savor a historic night in Pittsburgh. The franchise’s first road playoff win wasn’t just a victory; it was a statement. With a surging defense, a resilient rookie quarterback, and a ground game peaking at the right time, Houston is charging into the divisional round with confidence and momentum. The road ahead won’t be easy, but after toppling the Steelers in such convincing fashion, the Texans have shown they belong among the NFL’s elite.
