Steelers Now
The football gods were smiling down on the steel city last Sunday night as Tyler Loop’s boot stayed wide right as time expired, effectively sending the Pittsburgh Steelers to the postseason. Their reward for clinching the AFC North for the first time since 2020? Welcoming the scorching-hot Houston Texans, winners of nine straight to close the season, to town for a Monday Night slugfest.
Unsurprisingly, this matchup has the lowest projected point total of the weekend, but with their recent history of getting blown out in the postseason, Mike Tomlin and company probably aren’t too opposed to an old-school rock fight.
There’s a legitimate argument to be made that the Texans have the best defense in the entire NFL after finishing 2nd in EPA/play, success rate, and points per drive. When you study their film, there are not a ton of bells and whistles to their approach. They don’t throw a bunch of funky disguises at opposing quarterbacks; for the most part, they line up and just knock the crap out of people.
As the old adage goes, teams take on the identity of their head coach, and DeMeco Ryans’ S.W.A.R.M. (Special Work Ethic and Relentless Mindset) mantra sets the standard for his group on defense. Simply put, they stop the run on first/second down before allowing their four-man pass rush to hunt on third downs.
Will Anderson Jr. played 6 snaps versus the run in week 18… and recorded a stop on every single of them.
Incredible player and someone worthy of first-team All Pro recognition. pic.twitter.com/H1FdC60dza
— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) January 7, 2026
Pittsburgh’s offense was respectable this year, finishing middle of the pack in the critical categories, considering their lack of financial investment on that side of the ball compared to other teams. With Aaron Rodgers running the show, their passing attack is unique and, honestly, unlike any other team in the league. No passer got rid of the ball quicker (2.57-second average time to throw) or shorter (6.2 air yards per attempt) than the 42-year-old. While unconventional, spitting the ball out quickly to the playmakers has given the Steelers an identity through the air, with several key contributors to thank for that success.
Among tailbacks with at least 125 touches, Jaylen Warren led the entire NFL in forced missed tackle rate. His counterpart and Team MVP Kenneth Gainwell has been a massive part of their game plan, and someone that Rodgers has offered effusive praise of. Prior to his injury, Darnell Washington seemed to have at least one reception per week in the flat that ended with him truck-sticking defenders. Even DK Metcalf, who was never used in this manner during his time in Seattle, is averaging a career high in yards after the catch. Bottom line, this Steelers offense will make you pay if you don’t tackle well in space. Ask the Baltimore Ravens, who found that out the hard way last weekend.
The Steelers generated 218 yards after the...
