Steelers vs Texans Wild Card Preview: Who Has the Edge on Monday Night?
The final game of the NFL Wild Card weekend brings us an interesting matchup: the Houston Texans traveling to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers under the Monday Night Football spotlight. On paper, it looks like a classic clash of momentum versus experience — and that’s exactly what makes this game so compelling.
Houston enters the postseason riding a serious wave of confidence. After stumbling early in the season, the Texans caught fire at just the right time, winning nine straight games to close out the regular season. That late surge didn’t just punch their playoff ticket — it turned them into one of the hottest teams in the AFC.
Pittsburgh’s path was far less smooth, but the Steelers did what they always seem to do: survive. Finishing 10–7 and locking up the AFC North, they leaned on tough defense, timely offense, and home-field advantage to get back into the playoffs. It wasn’t always pretty, but this team knows how to grind out wins when it matters.
Game Info: When and Where to Watch
Date: Monday, January 12
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh
TV: ABC / ESPN
Streaming: Fubo and other live TV platforms
Oddsmakers currently have Houston favored by a field goal, with a low projected total — a clear sign that this one is expected to be a defensive battle.
Why This Matchup Is So Intriguing
The biggest reason Houston is favored? Defense and momentum.
During their winning streak, the Texans consistently shut down opposing offenses, forced turnovers, and controlled the pace of games. They’ve been especially good at limiting big plays and capitalizing on mistakes. Add in the steady play of C.J. Stroud, and Houston suddenly looks like a team no one wants to face in January.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has quietly improved late in the season. The offense has cut down on turnovers and started finishing drives — something that was missing earlier in the year. In four of their last five wins, the Steelers scored at least 26 points, which is a big deal for a team that struggled to move the ball for much of the season.
Still, consistency remains the question mark. The Steelers have shown flashes, but they haven’t always been able to sustain offensive success against strong defenses — and Houston’s unit is one of the toughest they’ll face.
Prediction: Low-Scoring, Hard-Hitting Football
Don’t expect a shootout here. This game has all the signs of a physical, grind-it-out playoff matchup where field position, turnovers, and red-zone efficiency decide the outcome.
Houston’s defense and recent form give them a slight edge, especially if they can force Pittsburgh into mistakes. The Steelers will need the home crowd and a clean offensive performance to keep pace.
Pick: Texans by a narrow margin
Best Bet: Under the total
No matter how it plays out, this game feels like a fitting end to Wild Card weekend — two teams built differently, both fighting to keep their season alive under the bright lights of Monday night.
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