DeMeco Ryans and the Houston Texans did their part, taking down the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18 to secure the fifth seed in the AFC playoffs. However, there remained some unsettled business regarding just where the Texans would be playing.
As a non-division winner, the Texans knew they would be on the road, but where and against whom required letting the rest of the regular-season play out.
Now, the Texans can plan accordingly.
Texans’ Wild Card Matchup Finalized
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans looks on before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Following the conclusion of “Sunday Night Football” between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, the Texans will officially travel to face the latter in the Wild Card Round.
Per the NFL, the game will be on Monday, January 12 at 7 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN.
The Texans had hoped to secure the AFC South with a win over the Colts in Week 18, but they did not get the requisite cooperation from the Jacksonville Jaguars, who routed the Tennessee Titans in their finale.
Ryans made a proactive decision, pulling the C.J. Stroud and the Texans’ starters as their chances at the AFC South crown slipped away.
The decision almost backfired entirely.
The Colts, led by rookie sixth-round pick and quarterback Riley Leonard, took the Texans down to the wire before Houston cemented its spot in the postseason with a field goal, followed by defensive tackle Tommy Togiai returning a fumble for a touchdown.
Ryans and the Texans not only secured the better of their two possible seedings, but they also got another victory to continue their positive momentum.
With the Week 18 slate in the rearview mirror, Ryans and the Texans can plan accordingly.
Texans vs Steelers: Tale of the Tape
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans looks on during warm-ups before a game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Ryans, Stroud, and the Texans will enter this game riding a nine-game winning streak and boasting the NFL’s No. 1 overall and scoring defense during the regular season. Moreover, Stroud and the offense have been able to pick up chunk plays and string together smaller ones.
Their issues have been with consistency, but they have been to the postseason in back-to-back seasons and are adding a third straight trip.
That is as battle-tested as most in the field in terms of the teams and personnel.
On the other side, the Steelers enter this contest at 10-7 after winning on a missed field goal against the Ravens. This is the first matchup between the Texans and Steelers since the 2023 season, Ryans and Stroud’s first season in Houston.
The Texans won that game 30-6, but both teams’ rosters have changed significantly since then.
The Steelers will get wide receiver DK Metcalf back from a two-game suspension for this contest, which presents another challenge for Ryans and the Texans after they were tested in the finale.
Texans Must Clean Up Potential Issues
GettyHouston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans looks on against the Buffalo Bills.
If there are concerns for the Texans, it is that propensity to go into lulls offensively, and that they allowed 30 points to Leonard and the Colts. Some of that came after Ryans pulled the starters, but the Colts were giving the Texans some problems before that, as well.
The Steelers may have needed until the final week of the regular season to secure their spot in the playoffs.
That does not make them any less dangerous in a win-or-go-home situation.
Fortunately for the Texans, they will also be getting reinforcements for the contest, with Kamari Lassiter, Nick Chubb, and Nico Collins.
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