The Curse is Broken: Texans Stun Steelers in Rodgers’ Possible Finale

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The final game of the NFL Wild Card weekend on Monday was more than just a playoff matchup; it was a historic exorcism for the Houston Texans and a somber milestone for a legendary quarterback.

In a physical, defensive slugfest at Acrisure Stadium, the Houston Texans dismantled the Pittsburgh Steelers 30–6, securing the first road playoff victory in franchise history and extending Pittsburgh’s postseason win drought to nearly a decade.

1. Shattering the Road Curse

Before last night, the Texans were 0–6 all-time in road playoff games. They hadn’t just lost; they had historically struggled to travel in January. That changed under the lights in Pittsburgh.

Despite a shaky start from C.J. Stroud, who fumbled five times (losing two) and threw an interception, the Texans’ top-ranked defense refused to let the game slip away. The unit put on a clinic, holding the Steelers to a meager 175 total yards and just two third-down conversions on 14 attempts.

2. The Fourth Quarter Avalanche

The game was a “rock fight” for three quarters, with Houston clinging to a 7–6 lead. Then, the floodgates opened in the final 15 minutes as Houston hung 23 unanswered points on the scoreboard.

The Scoop and Score: With 11:23 remaining, star edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. strip-sacked Aaron Rodgers. Veteran DT Sheldon Rankins scooped up the loose ball and rumbled 33 yards for a touchdown that sucked the air out of the Steel City.
The Rookie’s Statement: Rookie running back Woody Marks delivered a breakout performance, rushing for 112 yards and capping an 87-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown to put the game out of reach.
The Final Curtain? In what many believe was the final pass of his Hall of Fame career, Aaron Rodgers was intercepted by rookie safety Calen Bullock, who returned it 50 yards for a pick-six with under three minutes to play.

“Words are cheap. You either do or you don’t,” a somber Mike Tomlin said after the loss, which marked his seventh consecutive postseason defeat. “They ruled the day. We didn’t do enough.”

3. By the Numbers: Steel City Standoff

Category	Houston Texans	Pittsburgh Steelers
Total Yards	408	175
Third Down Eff.	10-of-15 (67%)	2-of-14 (14%)
Takeaways	2 (Both for TDs)	3
Sacks Recorded	4	3
Rushing Yards	164	63

4. Key Performers

C.J. Stroud (HOU): Overcame a “jittery” performance to throw for 250 yards and a beautiful 6-yard touchdown to Christian Kirk.
Christian Kirk (HOU): The undisputed star of the receiving corps, hauling in 8 catches for 144 yards.
Aaron Rodgers (PIT): Limited to just 146 yards and zero touchdowns. If this was the end, it was a brutal exit for the 42-year-old veteran.
Sheldon Rankins (HOU): Anchored a defensive front that lived in the backfield all night.

5. What’s Next: The Path to Foxborough

The fifth-seeded Texans now prepare for a massive Divisional Round clash against the New England Patriots (15-3) this coming Sunday. For the third straight year, DeMeco Ryans has his squad in the final eight, but this time, they carry the momentum of a historic road win.