"I'm Actually Terrified For Them": Steelers Mocked Ahead Of Enormous Game Against Texans

In Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 26-24 to clinch the AFC North in a wild game that came down to the final play of regulation. Ravens kicker Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field goal attempt that would have sent the Ravens home as division champions. The Steelers now host a home playoff game for the first time since 2020, and the first with a crowd since 2017. The Steelers are set to face the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round on Monday night and will go into the game the healthiest they've been in a long time. 

The Steelers have not won a playoff game since 2017, when they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 18-16 thanks to six field goals from Chris Boswell. They have been blown out in every playoff game since then. This go-around, the Steelers will have future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers leading the team -- the best they've had since Ben Roethlisberger was on the roster in 2021. The Steelers are coming into the week winning four of their last five games. The Texans have won nine straight. 

Former NFL defensive lineman Marcus Spears was recently on ESPN's NFL Live and shared why he doesn't think the Texans are going to slow down. 

"I don't think the Steelers are a threat. I'm actually terrified for them because two weeks ago, I saw them only score six points against the Cleveland Browns," Spears explained. "This Houston Texans team... I don't think you want to play them as an offense."

The Texans finished the season as the NFL's number one defense in yards allowed. They have been dominating NFL offenses all season long. The Steelers, on the other hand, have been up and down all season. They started 4-1, then bounced between wins and losses before eventually going on an ugly three-game losing streak. However, with their backs against the wall, bounced back, winning three straight against the likes of the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, and Detroit Lions. The Steelers have some heat of their own going into the playoffs. 

While the Texans are riding a nine-game win streak, they have had some bad games of their own. The Steelers and Texans play on Monday Night Football in Pittsburgh where the Steelers are on a 23-game home win streak in Monday Night Football games.

Will The Steelers Finally Break Their Playoff Win Drought?

The Steelers have made the playoffs five times since their last playoff win in 2017. They have lost four of those games by at least two scores. The team has been notorious for coming out flat in the first quarter. They'll have all of the advantages they need: cold weather against a warm-weather team, home-field advantage, and a Monday Night Football win streak. Maybe the most important of all however, they are healthy. Aside from Darnell Washington, DeShon Elliott, and Broderick Jones, the Steelers had no starters missing from Sunday's game against the Ravens. The Black and Gold have also been without DK Metcalf for the last two games due to suspension. They have been without Elliott for most of the season, and Dylan Cook has played arguably better than Jones at left tackle. 

Missing Washington hurts the Steelers badly. Washington is the Steelers' blocking tight end who even gets the ball in the passing game. Not having him out there when they face the edge-rusher tandem of Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter is devastating. The Steelers' only game without Washington went well; they scored 26 points and ran the ball effectively. However, the Texans' defense is a different unit. It will be the Steelers' most challenging task this season, playing the Texans without their most versatile weapon. 

What do you think? Is Spears right? Do the Steelers have a chance? Will the playoff drought continue? Let us know in the comments.

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