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Steelers vs. Texans live score, updates, highlights from NFL wild-card playoff game

Jake Mozarsky

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Steelers vs. Texans live score, updates, highlights from NFL wild-card playoff game image

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When Aaron Rodgers hangs up his cleats, he will go down as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play football. The 42-year-old is a Super Bowl champion, four-time MVP, and future first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Now on his third team, Rodgers is preparing for another postseason run, leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to their first AFC North title since 2020. This year, the veteran delivered a steady hand, finishing the 2025 season with 3,322 passing yards and 24 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. In the season finale, Rodgers was vintage, completing a season-high 31 passes for 294 yards and a last-minute touchdown to Calvin Austin III, which served as the game-winner over the Baltimore Ravens and clinched a playoff berth for Pittsburgh.

That playoff journey begins at Acrisure Stadium against the Houston Texans, the AFC’s No. 5 seed with a 12-5 record. Houston boasts the league’s top-ranked defense, allowing the fewest yards per game, setting the stage for a tight, low-scoring affair. The Texans’ secondary presents a major challenge to the 42-year-old quarterback.

Houston has a young signal-caller in C.J. Stroud, who, after returning from a concussion, has played his best football in 2025. With weapons in superstar Nico Collins and rookie running back Woody Marks, the Houston offense has complemented its elite defense and enters Acrisure Stadium on a high note. They now face a Pittsburgh defense that is also near the top of the league in turnover margin.

For the Steelers, the game is about finally delivering a playoff victory after years of drought; for the Texans, it’s about proving their top-ranked defense can stifle a legend in January. But one question rises above all: will this be it for Aaron Rodgers?

AllSportsPeople is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for Steelers vs. Texans in the AFC wild-card round on Monday night. Follow below for complete results from the 2026 NFL playoff game.

STREAM: Watch Steelers vs. Texans live with the ESPN App

Steelers vs. Texans score

 

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Steelers vs. Texans live updates, highlights from 2026 NFL wild-card playoff game

6:12 p.m.:  Let's revisit the Week 18 thriller that punched the Piitsburgh Steelers' berth in the postseason. With less than two minutes remaining, Aaron Rodgers led a game-winning drive, ending in a touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III.

Then, the Baltimore Ravens drove down the field, and kicker Tyler Loop had a chance to win the game. But, the kick sailed wide right.

With it, the Steelers won the AFC North and clinched a playoff spot.

6:00 p.m.:  The Texans defense is getting all the attention, and rightfully so. But don't forget about the stars Pittsburgh has on its unit, including superstar T.J. Watt.

But, Watt's playoff performances have not been the best, tallying only one sack in four appearances.

5:47 p.m.:  Across the sideline is one of the younger quarterbacks in the NFL, C.J. Stroud, who already has two playoff wins under his belt.

With a win tonight, Stroud would win a playoff game in each of his first three seasons in the NFL. But, neither of those wins in 2023 or 2024 were on the road.

He'd become the first ever Texans quarterback to have a postseason win on the road with a Houston victory tonight.

5:40 p.m.:  Aaron Rodgers has arrived ahead of his potential final game.

Of course, the 42-year-old is focused on the task at hand, but retirement rumors are already swirling around the future Hall-of-Famer.

5:28 p.m.:  Kickoff is less than three hours away in Pittsburgh.

5:24 p.m.:  With two touchdowns tonight, Aaron Rodgers will move up the all-time playoff leaderboards, becoming second all-time in touchdown passes.

At 42, it's fair to say he won't catch Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes will retake his spot at second. But, No. 8 can move up the leaderboards as soon as tonight.

5:22 p.m.:  Pittsburgh fans, this graphic is less for you.

The Steelers have gone nine years without a playoff win dating back to January 2017, when they beat the Miami Dolphins. Here are the first quarter point totals for Piitsburgh's last six playoff games.

Don't worry, it's only the No. 1 defense in the NFL on the other side tonight.

5:15 p.m.:  There's a few long streaks on the line for tonight's contest. The Steelers have not lost a home "Monday Night Football" game this century, while the Texans have never won a playoff road game in the franchise's existence.

Pittsburgh fans, this graphic is for you.

4:39 p.m.:  The Houston Texans enter the NFL playoffs as the hottest team in the NFL, riding a nine-game winning streak dating back to early November.

With the No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL that has given Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence and other elite quarterbacks headaches, many think Houston can be the final team standing.

4:31 p.m.:  The final game of Wild Card Weekend takes place at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.

Either the 12-5 Texans or the 10-7 Steelers will book a trip to New England with a win tonight. 

MORE 2026 NFL PLAYOFFS:

Where to watch Steelers vs. Texans

Steelers vs. Texans start time

  • Date: Monday, January 12
  • Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET, 5:15 p.m. PT

The Steelers and Texans are the sixth and final game of NFL wild card weekend, slated in the "Monday Night Football" slot.

The game will kick off from Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

What channel is Steelers vs. Texans on today?

  • TV channel: ESPN, ABC
  • Live stream: ESPN App

Steelers-Texans will be on both ESPN and ABC for the final "Monday Night Football" broadcast of the season. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will call the game, with Laura Rutledge and Lisa Salters on the sidelines.

Fans looking to stream the game can access it on the ESPN app, which delivers all the content the platform offers.

NFL playoff schedule 2026

Wild-card round

Saturday, Jan. 10

MatchupTime (ET)TV channel
Rams vs. Panthers4:30 p.m.Fox
Packers vs. Bears8 p.m.Amazon Prime Video

Sunday, Jan. 11

MatchupTime (ET)TV channel
Bills vs. Jaguars1 p.m.CBS
49ers vs. Eagles4:30 p.m.Fox
Chargers vs. Patriots8:15 p.m.NBC

Monday, Jan. 12

MatchupTime (ET)TV channel
Texans vs. Steelers8:15 p.m.ESPN/ABC

Divisional round

Saturday, Jan. 17

MatchupTime (ET)TV channel
TBD4:30 p.m.TBD
TBD8:15 p.m.TBD

Sunday, Jan. 18

MatchupTime (ET)TV channel
TBD3 p.m.TBD
TBD6:30 p.m.TBD

Conference championships

Sunday, Jan. 25

MatchupTime (ET)TV channel
TBD (AFC)3 p.m.CBS
TBD (NFC)6:30 p.m.Fox

Super Bowl 60

Sunday, Feb. 8

MatchupTime (ET)TV channel
TBD6:30 p.m.NBC

Contributing Writer