Steelers vs. Texans predictions: Who majority of experts are picking for AFC wild-card game

Mike Moraitis

Steelers vs. Texans predictions: Who majority of experts are picking for AFC wild-card game image

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The Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans will close out Wild Card Weekend when they do battle on Monday night.

The Steelers finished with a 10-7 record this season and managed to secure the AFC North crown and No. 4 seed after a hotly-contest race with the Baltimore Ravens.

The Texans posted a 12-win campaign, but that was only good enough for second in the AFC South after an impressive season by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Houston managed to land in the No. 5 seed, setting up this matchup with Pittsburgh.

These two teams did not face off during the regular season. The last time Houston and Pittsburgh met was back in 2023, when Houston emerged victorious, 30-6.

Ahead of kickoff on Monday night, here's who the majority of experts are picking to win this game.

Steelers vs. Texans predictions

Vinnie Iyer, AllSportsPeople: Steelers 20, Texans 17

Iyer: "The Texans' defense is one of the playoffs' strongest units. But it can be vulnerable with teams passing aggressively downfield. Aaron Rodgers should unleash his big arm with DK Metcalf back and the Steelers' defense will do its part to make this their style of ugly, low-scoring physical game. Pittsburgh's home field is key again in cooling off Houston."

Bill Bender, AllSportsPeople: Texans 23, Steelers 18

Bender: "How will the Steelers carry the momentum from the dramatic victory against the Ravens in the regular-season finale? DK Metcalf will return, and TJ Watt (lung) returned in Week 18. The Texans allowed 15.4 points on the road this season – and C.J. Stroud is 2-0 in the wild-card round. The Steelers were 1-2 S/U as a home underdog this season – but the win was against Baltimore. How will Rodgers attack a Houston pass defense that ranked sixth in the NFL and did not allow more than 235 yards in a game this season? Pittsburgh was 3-3 S/U when Rodgers took three sacks or more – and Danielle Hunter (15 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (12 sacks) were the most-prolific sack tandem in the NFL this season."

ESPN

  • Stephania Bell: Texans
  • Matt Bowen: Texans
  • Mike Clay: Steelers
  • Jeremy Fowler: Steelers
  • Dan Graziano: Texans
  • Kalyn Kahler: Texans
  • Pamela Maldonado: Steelers
  • Eric Moody: Texans
  • Jason Reid: Texans
  • Lindsey Thiry: Texans

MMQB

  • Clare Brennan: Texans
  • Mitch Goldich: Texans
  • Gilberto Manzano: Texans
  • Conor Orr: Texans
  • John Pluym: Texans
  • Matt Verderame: Texans

CBS Sports

  • Pete Prisco: Steelers
  • Jared Dubin: Texans
  • Ryan Wilson: Steelers
  • John Breech: Texans
  • Tyler Sullivan: Texans
  • Dave Richard: Texans
  • Jamey Eisenberg: Texans

Number of experts picking Texans: 18

Number of experts picking Steelers: 7

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Contributing Writer