It was mano a mano from the opening snap. A dogfight. At times ugly. Always physical. And when it finally tilted, it tilted hard.
Despite three turnovers by C.J. Stroud, the Houston Texans did something they had never done before, pulling away late for their first road playoff win in franchise history, a 30–6 result forged more through resilience than rhythm.
In a way, it was youth outrunning time. On one sideline stood Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin, together navigating their 43rd combined playoff appearance, conditioned by decades of sudden death football. On the other were Stroud and DeMeco Ryans, still early in their postseason journeys, learning in real time and winning anyway.
Houston found points everywhere. Woody Marks and Christian Kirk delivered on offense. Sheldon Rankins and Calen Bullock struck on defense. Kirk authored the loudest stat line of the night with eight catches for 144 yards, while Marks churned out 112 yards on the ground.
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The cost was real. Nico Collins exited through the blue tent and into the locker room with a concussion, his night ending after three catches. On a short week, his availability moving forward is extremely doubtful.
Still, history does not wait for perfect conditions.
With their ticket punched to the divisional round, the Texans now head back into the elements for a road date at Gillette Stadium against New England. Former Patriots quarterback and longtime analyst Scott Zolak sees something familiar brewing on the other sideline.
“I’ve called 13 years of some of Tom Brady’s biggest moments,” Zolak told AllSportsPeople. “And Drake has brought that type of hype and hope back to New England. He’s special and he’s only 23. Each week he does something different and better. This is going to be one heck of a ride, and I’m not just talking about this year.”
The Texans have already crossed barriers that once defined them. Ten straight wins. A road playoff breakthrough. The next question is whether they can push through the glass ceiling that still stands between them and the AFC Championship.
Ask anyone in that locker room, particularly on defense, and the answer comes without hesitation.
Yes.
As for Pittsburgh, the next time all eyes turn there will be April and the NFL Draft. For now, Houston keeps moving forward, still learning, still absorbing hits, and still writing chapters the franchise had never written before.
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