Texans defense suffocates Aaron Rodgers, Steelers in playoff win

Crunch.

That was the dependable of Houston Texans players colliding with Pittsburgh Steelers backmost Aaron Rodgers aboriginal successful the 4th fourth of their Wild Card Round matchup, causing him to suffer the ball. Texans antiaircraft lineman Sheldon Rankins picked the shot up and ran it to the extremity portion for what felt similar the knockout stroke adjacent though determination was inactive a batch of clip near to play.

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Pittsburgh Steelers backmost Aaron Rodgers (8) loses possession of the shot portion being tackled by Houston Texans antiaircraft extremity Danielle Hunter (55) during the 2nd fractional of an NFL wild-card playoff shot game, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, successful Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)

It was that benignant of crippled for some teams – a antiaircraft conflict – arsenic Houston enactment unneurotic a 30-6 victory. It was the franchise’s archetypal roadworthy playoff victory.

There were large hits and small country for error. Houston had a 7-6 pb astatine halftime acknowledgment to a touchdown walk from C.J. Stroud to Christian Kirk.

Even arsenic the Texans turned the shot implicit 3 times betwixt the archetypal fractional and the 3rd quarter, the Steelers could lone muster up 3 points. Houston’s antiaircraft prowess was connected show connected each drawback arsenic Rodgers was near with small to nary clip to marque a decision.

When helium did person clip to throw, wide receivers similar DK Metcalf, Jonnu Smith and Calvin Austin III either dropped the shot oregon were conscionable a hairsbreadth off. Rodgers besides had a fewer of his passes deflected.

Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) runs to the extremity portion for a touchdown portion defended by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Brandin Echols (26) during the archetypal fractional of an NFL wild-card playoff shot game, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, successful Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)

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Steelers fans fto the squad perceive it with plentifulness of boos. Pittsburgh extended its playoff losing streak to 7 games.

Texans moving backmost Woody Marks ran for 100 yards for the archetypal clip successful his vocation and scored a touchdown to truly seal the win. Texans antiaircraft backmost Calen Bullock returned an interception for a touchdown precocious successful the game.

Stroud finished 21-of-32 with 250 passing yards and the touchdown pass. The Texans’ defence sacked Rodgers 4 times. Rankins was bully for 1.5 sacks.

The Steelers astir had nary discourtesy passim the game. The squad was held to 175 yards and outscored 23-0 successful the 4th quarter.

Houston Texans backmost C.J. Stroud throws during the archetypal fractional of NFL wild-card playoff shot crippled against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, successful Pittsburgh.  (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

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Houston volition instrumentality connected the New England Patriots successful the AFC Divisional Round.

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