The Pittsburgh Steelers clinched the AFC North and the No. 4 seed after one of the best regular-season games in NFL history—and unquestionably one of the wildest Steelers-Ravens matchups ever. For the first time in five years, Pittsburgh has won the division and will host a playoff game, welcoming a red-hot Houston Texans team.
Houston enters the postseason riding a nine-game winning streak, making them the hottest team in the NFL. Their championship-caliber defense alone is strong enough to fuel a deep playoff run. The Texans are far from an ideal matchup for the Steelers, and if Pittsburgh hopes to snap its playoff drought, the offense’s playmakers must elevate their game significantly to give the Steelers a legitimate chance to advance.
Even Aaron Rodgers will need help for the Pittsburgh Steelers to overcome this challenge
The Houston Texans have the best defense in the NFL, and it shows at every level. They lead the league in total defense while ranking sixth against the pass and fourth against the run, with playmakers all over the field. Houston features the best pass rush tandem in football in Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, and they also have one of the strongest cornerback duos in Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter. Safeties Calen Bullock and Jalen Pitre complete a secondary that consistently wins its matchups.
This defense has been a nightmare for opposing offenses, and it presents a major challenge for a Steelers offense that has been inconsistent all season. Outside of DK Metcalf, who returns from a two-game suspension, Pittsburgh lacks reliable weapons in the passing game. The rest of the wide receiver group, including Calvin Austin III, Marquez Valdes Scantling, and Adam Thielen, struggles to consistently create separation, which is a serious issue against a defense built to win one-on-one.
It is expected that Derek Stingley Jr. will shadow Metcalf and force someone else to beat Houston. That puts heavy pressure on Arthur Smith to produce his most creative game plan of the season. The Steelers cannot rely on their receivers to simply win matchups and must find ways to scheme players open through formations, motion, and timing.
One area of optimism for Pittsburgh is the offensive line, which has taken a noticeable step forward compared to last season and has been one of the better units in the league. They will need to hold up against Houston’s pass rush to give Aaron Rodgers time in the pocket. If the Steelers want to make this a physical game and lean on the run, the offensive line must be much better as run blockers, especially without Darnell Washington in the lineup.
With Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers have the luxury of a quarterback who has seen just about every defense and scheme imaginable over the course of his NFL career. His football IQ allows him to consistently identify blitzes and coverage disguises and put the offense in the best possible situation. However, on Monday, even that advantage may not mean much. The Texans have one of the lowest blitz rates in the league and rely on minimal coverage rotations in the passing game.
They rarely disguise what they are doing and rarely need to blitz, instead relying on sound technique and simply out-executing opponents. That is what makes this defense so impressive. They do not need to trick you or rely on a complicated scheme. They have physical, talented players who line up, win their matchups, and create havoc.
Houston’s main weakness has been the occasional missed tackle or explosive play. For a Steelers offense built around yards after the catch, taking advantage of those moments will be critical. In a do-or-die playoff game, Pittsburgh must play aggressively and make the most of any extra possessions or favorable field position, especially against a Texans offense that has struggled in stretches of games.
This matchup is likely to be a physical, low-scoring battle. The team that protects the football, executes in key moments, and commits fewer penalties will most likely be the one still standing at the end.