The AFC Wild Card round concludes with a primetime matchup between the Houston Texans and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Texans, as the No. 5 seed, earned their spot with a strong regular season, while the Steelers clinched the AFC North title and home-field advantage as the No. 4 seed. This game features veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers leading the Steelers against rising star C.J. Stroud and the Texans’ potent offense, in what could be a defensive slugfest given the weather. Below is a detailed breakdown.
Venue Location
The game will be played at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This outdoor venue, formerly known as Heinz Field, has a capacity of approximately 68,400 and is renowned for its passionate fans and challenging winter conditions, which often favor the home team.
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 PM ET (5:15 PM PT, 7:15 PM CT).
Broadcast: The game will be broadcast on ESPN/ABC ESPN2, and ESPN+: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters (field reporter), Laura Rutledge (field reporter)
Westwood One: Kevin Harlan, Kurt Warner, Ross Tucker (field reporter)
Streaming available on NFL+ and YouTube TV, closing out Wild Card weekend.
Weather Updates
Forecasts predict brutally cold conditions in Pittsburgh, with daytime highs around 28°F to 36°F and nighttime lows dropping to 10°F. Expect a 25% chance of precipitation, possibly light snow, with winds at 2 mph and UV index low at 2. The region is in a very cold, snowy period per extended forecasts, which could limit passing games and emphasize running plays, turnovers, and field position.
world-weather.info +3
Monitor updates, as winter weather can evolve quickly and impact ball security.
Injury Report
Both teams are managing injuries heading into the playoffs, with practice reports from January 8, 2026, showing some key absences. Overall, the Steelers appear healthier, but the Texans’ defensive backfield could be tested.
Houston Texans:
CB Kamari Lassiter (Ankle): DNP – Key starter, questionable for the game.
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OL Tytus Howard (Ankle): DNP.
RB Jawhar Jordan (Ankle): DNP.
OT Trent Brown (Ankle): Limited participation (LP).
LB Jamal Hill (Calf): Questionable.
WR Tank Dell (Knee): Out, preparing for 2026 season.
RB Joe Mixon (Foot/Ankle): Out.
Overall: Several DNPs on the line and in the secondary raise concerns for protection and coverage; team monitoring progress closely.
Pittsburgh Steelers:
RB Jaylen Warren (Illness): DNP – Only major absence, could impact run game if not cleared.
steelerswire.usatoday.com +3
DT Cameron Heyward (Not Injury Related – Rest): LP.
LS Christian Kuntz (Knee): Full participation (FP).
QB Aaron Rodgers (Left Wrist): FP.
WR Ben Skowronek (Hand): FP.
Overall: Largely healthy with six players listed, but mostly full participants; Coach Mike Tomlin noted “bumps and bruises” from the season finale.
Player Matchups
This matchup highlights quarterback experience versus youth, with cold weather potentially amplifying defensive battles:
QB C.J. Stroud (Texans) vs. QB Aaron Rodgers (Steelers): A generational clash—Stroud’s precision passing against Rodgers’ veteran savvy and playoff pedigree. Rodgers aims for his first Steelers playoff win.
steelers.com +2
Texans RB Woody Marks vs. Steelers RB Kenneth Gainwell: Ground games will be crucial in the cold; Marks (key player for Houston) faces Pittsburgh’s stout run defense.
Texans Pass Rush vs. Steelers Offensive Line: Houston’s front must pressure Rodgers to disrupt drives, especially with potential OL vulnerabilities.
Steelers Secondary vs. Texans Receivers: Pittsburgh’s DBs will challenge Stroud’s targets, limiting big plays in windy conditions.
Defensive Fronts: Both teams boast strong defenses (Texans allow 17.4 PPG, Steelers 22.8 PPG), setting up a low-scoring affair focused on trenches.
These battles could decide the game, with turnovers likely in the elements.
Recent Team Forms
Texans: Finished 12-5 under Coach DeMeco Ryans, with a strong defensive surge late in the season (top-10 in sacks and interceptions). Offensively, they averaged 327 YPG, but injuries hampered consistency; they went 7-3 in their last 10, clinching a playoff spot with key wins.
Steelers: Ended 10-7, winning the division for the first time since 2020. They closed strong at 6-4 in their last 10, with a balanced attack (1,756 rush yards) and defense (45 TDs allowed). Home form was solid (6-3), boosting confidence.
Series History
The Steelers lead the all-time series 5-3 in eight meetings since the Texans entered the NFL in 2002. Pittsburgh has won the last two encounters, including a dominant performance in recent years, but Houston holds a 3-5 record overall. No playoff history between them, adding novelty.
Betting Trends
Texans: 9-8 ATS overall; 12-5 ML for +8.4 units ROI; 6-10 on overs.
Steelers: 9-7-1 ATS; strong at home but 9-7-1 as underdogs.
Overall: Games trend under in cold weather; head-to-head often low-scoring. Consensus line moved from Texans -3.5 to -3.
TEXANS NOTES:
• TEXANS qualified for postseason for 3rd consecutive season. Became 5th team since 1990 to begin 0-3 & qualify for postseason. Won 12 games in a season for 2nd time in franchise history (2012). • QB C.J. STROUD passed for 3,041 yards & 19 TD passes in 2025. Can become 4th QB ever to start & win playoff game in each of 1st 3 seasons. Aims for his 7th in row on road with 200+ pass yards. • RB WOODY MARKS ranks 6th among rookies with 703 rush yards in 2025. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with 75+ scrimmage yards. • WR NICO COLLINS led team with 1,132 scrimmage yards & ranked tied-9th in NFL with 1,117 rec. yards in 2025. Is 1 of 4 WRs with 1,000+ scrimmage yards & 5+ TDs in each of past 3 seasons. Has 5+ receptions in each of his 4 career playoff games. Made 2nd-career Pro Bowl in 2025. • WR JAYDEN HIGGINS ranked tied-2nd among rookies with 6 rec. TDs in 2025. Had 2nd-most rec. TDs by rookie in franchise history. • TE DALTON SCHULTZ ranked 3rd among TEs in receptions (82) & 6th in rec. yards (777) in 2025. • DE DANIELLE HUNTER ranked 3rd in NFL with 15 sacks in 2025, 7th-career season with 10+ sacks. Aims for his 5th in row with sack. • DE WILL ANDERSON ranked tied-4th in NFL with career-high 20 TFL & had career-high 12 sacks in 2025, as he & Hunter were 1 of 3 pair of teammates each with 10+ sacks. Made 2nd-career Pro Bowl in 2025. • LB AZEEZ AL-SHAAIR led team with 103 tackles in 2025, 3rd-career season with 100+ tackles. Aims for his 3rd in row with 5+ tackles & PD. Made 1st-career Pro Bowl in 2025. • LB HENRY TO’OTO’O had career-high 9 TFL & 4 PD in 2025. • CB KAMARI LASSITER ranked tied-5th in NFL with career-high 17 PD in 2025. Aims for his 4th in row with PD. • CB DEREK STINGLEY had 15 PD this season, as he & Lassiter were 1 of 2 pair of teammates each with 15+ PD. Made 2nd-career Pro Bowl in 2025.
STEELERS NOTES:
• STEELERS won AFC North for 1st time since 2020. Seeking 1st playoff win since 2016. Surpassed 1965-85 Cowboys (21) for most consecutive seasons with .500+ record. • QB AARON RODGERS was 1 of 5 QBs with 20+ TD passes (24) & 7-or-fewer INTs (7) this season. Ranks 4th all-time in TD passes (527) & 5th in pass yards (66,274). Needs 79 pass yards to surpass Ben Roethlisberger (5,972) for 3rd-most pass yards ever in playoffs. Needs 2 TD passes to surpass Patrick Mahomes (46) for second-most TD passes ever in playoffs. • RB JAYLEN WARREN led team with career-high 1,291 scrimmage yards (958 rush, 333 rec.) in 2025. • RB KENNETH GAINWELL set career highs in scrimmage yards (1,023) & TDs (8), as he & Warren were 1 of 4 pairs of teammates each with 1,000+ scrimmage yards & 8+ TDs this season. • WR DK METCALF led team with 850 rec. yards in 2025. Aims for his 3rd in row in playoffs with 5+ catches, 95+ rec. yards & 2+ rec. TDs. • WR BEN SKOWRONEK made 1st-career Pro Bowl in 2025. • DT CAMERON HEYWARD was only DL with 75+ tackles (78), 5+ TFL (9) & 5+ PD (6) in 2025. Aims for his 3rd in row on road with TFL. • LB T.J. WATT surpassed HOFer DeMarcus Ware (110.5) for 2nd-most sacks by player in 1st 125 games since 1982. Has 115 sacks since 2017, 5th-most sacks by player in 1st 9 seasons since 1982. Aims for his 4th in row on road with TFL. Made 8th-career Pro Bowl in 2025. • LB PATRICK QUEEN led team with 120 tackles, 5th-career season with 100+ tackles. Aims for his 5th in row in playoffs with 5+ tackles. • LB ALEX HIGHSMITH led team with 9.5 sacks & tied career-high 15 TFL in 2025. Aims for his 4th in row with 2+ TFL & aims for his 4th in row in playoffs with sack. • CB JALEN RAMSEY was only DB with 85+ tackles (88), 5+ PD (8) & 3+ sacks (3) in 2025. Made 8th-career Pro Bowl in 2025. Aims for his 5th in row in playoffs with PD.
Game Odds
Houston Texans – 3
Pittsburgh Steelers 38.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Sunday, January 11, 2026
