After a wild first two days, we have the last game of the NFL Wild Card Weekend on Monday night. The Houston Texans will be taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET with ESPN on the call. Below, we will detail the Texans vs. Steelers odds, while giving out our favorite predictions.
Texans vs. Steelers Odds & Best Bets
| FanDuel Odds | DraftKings Odds | BetMGM Odds | |
| Texans Moneyline | -162 | -155 | -160 |
| Steelers Moneyline | +136 | +130 | +135 |
| Texans Spread | -3 (-105) | -3 (-105) | -3 (-105) |
| Steelers Spread | +3 (-115) | +3 (-115) | +3 (-115) |
| Total | o38.5 (-115); u38.5 (-105) | o38.5 (-115); u38.5 (-105) | o38 (-110); u38 (-110) |
The Texans come into this game among the hottest teams in the NFL, ending the season on a nine game winning streak after starting the season 0-3 and 3-5. They really seemed to figure things out on offense as the season went on, as they averaged only 12.6 games per game in their first three games, but ended the season scoring 20+ points in 11 of their last 14 games. 20+ points is not going to put them in any categories with the Tom Brady-Randy Moss Patriots of course, but it is respectable with how good their defense is, which we will get into.
As for the Steelers, something is going to have to give when it comes to the Steelers playoff streaks. They have not won a playoff game since January 2017, making it eight straight seasons without one. That said, they have won 23 straight home Monday Night Football games. Obviously, one streak is more relevant than the other, but it is still funny how long the Steelers have gone without losing a home MNF game.
They are going to have their work cut out for them, though, mostly on the offensive side of the ball going up against the Texans defense. By pretty much every metric you could look at, the Texans either had the best or second-best defense in the NFL, by both counting and advanced stats:
- Points Allowed: Second-fewest
- Yards Allowed: Fewest
- Turnovers Caused: Second-most
- EPA/Play: Best
- Success-Rate: Second-best
- DVOA: Second-best
They should have the clear advantage over a Steelers offense that is average at best pretty much across the board. For context, they were ranked either 15th or 16th in the three advanced metrics mentioned above (EPA/Play, Success Rate, DVOA), just flipped to the offensive side of the ball. They had some big performances, including two of their best games of the entire season both coming against the Ravens the clinch the AFC North, but were mostly a mediocre otherwise.
The Steelers offense is getting DK Metcalf back after a two-game suspension, who is going to have his work cut out for him going up against a Texans team that allowed the fifth-fewest passing yards per game.
Official Pick: Texans -3 (-110) FanDuel
Despite playing at home, it is hard to imagine the Steelers scoring enough points to keep this one within a field goal, given all the stats mentioned above. The Texans are able to do enough on offense thanks to Nico Collins who is set up for success in this game. This is a Steelers defense that allowed the fifth-most receiving yards to wide receivers, and allowed some big performances in the past.
The Texans get the job done, and head to New England for a matchup against the Patriots next week.