The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently celebrating their AFC North clinching victory over the Baltimore Ravens. This week however, they'll have to start getting ready to face the five-seeded Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. Despite the Steelers being the higher seed at four, the Texans actually had a better record. Not only did the Texans go 12-5 in the regular season, but they are also on the NFL's longest winning streak, at nine games. For the Steelers to get the job done, they'll have to be at their best.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin.
The Steelers' 2025 season has been a tale of two teams. At their best, they have been a dominant force defensively, stifling teams like the Detroit Lions to a season low in rushing yards. The Steelers' offense at its best is a well-oiled machine. While Pittsburgh will never get too flashy, they have shown they are a well-balanced attack, with running backs Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell consistently effective as both runners, as well as in the passing game. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers gets the most out of each running back in this offense.
The other version of the 2025 Steelers has left much to be desired. The Week 17 version, who lost to the lowly Cleveland Browns 13-6, went six quarters without a touchdown from the end of the Browns game through the first half of the Steelers' Week 18 victory vs the Ravens. At their best, the Steelers can beat any team, especially playing at home, and they'll have home-field advantage against the Texans on Monday Night Football. At their worst, the Steelers' offense lacks explosive plays, and their defense looks ordinary. Which team shows up on Monday night will determine the Steelers' fate.
This week on his latest Footbahlin podcast, former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger let fans know who he thinks has the edge.
"The reason why I'm leaning heavily towards the Steelers winning this game is because I trust our defense against their offense," Roethlisberger explained.
Despite their nine-game winning streak, the Texans are not a team without flaws. Their offensive line has been suspect at best this season, and they've had trouble protecting quarterback CJ Stroud as a result. Stroud has missed time this season due to a concussion he suffered in Week 9. The Texans have an offense with some great skill position players, such as star receiver Nico Collins, who is one of the most electric players in the sport.
The Steelers' defense can certainly change the game with its front-seven, including superstar pass rusher TJ Watt. The Texans have no one to match up with Watt evenly, who seems to have recovered fully from the partially collapsed lung injury that he suffered just a few weeks ago. The Texans will be forced to either double Watt, which will open up the pass rush for the rest of the Steelers, or let Watt wreak havoc in single coverage. Either way, Watt will undoubtedly be the point of emphasis on the Texans' scouting report.
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Steelers outside linebacker TJ Watt.
The Steelers' front-seven is also well-equipped to stop the Texans' rushing attack. Houston was supposed to feature workhorse running back Joe Mixon, however injuries have derailed his 2025 campaign. The Texans now rely upon rookie running back Woody Marks, and this will be by far the most critical game and most hostile environment of Marks' young career.
Steelers Bring Monday Night Success To The Playoffs
The Steelers and Head Coach Mike Tomlin have owned Monday Night Football at home throughout Tomlin's tenure in Pittsburgh. They have the most wins of any team in the history of the NFL on MNF, with an absurd 59 wins in 90 games. No one knows how to make the most of the extra day of preparation like Tomlin, and the Steelers will need every advantage they can get with everything on the line.
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Steelers' DK Metcalf catches a pass against the Lions.
The Steelers will be getting a significant boost with superstar receiver DK Metcalf returning from his two-game suspension as well, but as Roethlisberger points out, it's the Steelers' defense that will dictate where this game goes.
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