Steelers Now
One stat circulating this week is the fact dome teams are 1-13 over the past 10 years in playoff games played in 40-degree or lower temps at kickoff. That does not bode well for the visiting Houston Texans in Monday night’s AFC Wild Card game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It will be between 35 and 29 degrees at kickoff tonight in Pittsburgh.
The Texans are also 0-6 in road playoff games in franchise history. Despite the past history and task of playing in the cold, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans is not worried.
“Man we’re here. We’re going to Pittsburgh. On the road, it’s gonna be cold, let’s go!” Ryans said. “It’s time for the Texans to put it all together and show that we can go win a game on the road, in a tough environment, in the playoffs. Let’s go get it done.”
The Texans are coming into Monday night’s game on a nine-game winning streak.
“Man we’re here. We’re going to Pittsburgh. On the road, it’s gunna be cold, let’s go! It’s time for the Texans to put it all together and show that we can go win a game on the road, in a tough environment, in the playoffs. Let’s go get it done.” -DeMeco Ryans pic.twitter.com/y8CWGiJZJL
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) January 12, 2026
Mike Tomlin and the Steelers also have some trends hovering over them. The Steelers have not won a playoff game since Jan. 15, 2017, losing their last six postseason contests. It’s the longest playoff win drought for the franchise since pre-1972.
Outside of the 45-42 Divisional Round loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the five other Steelers’ playoff losses have been 10+ point losses during the six-game losing streak. The Steelers trailed 21-0 to open the game against Jacksonville, however.
The Steelers largest deficits during six-game playoff losing streak have been 27, 21, 28, 28, 21 and 21 points. They are the only team in playoff history to trail by 21+ in six straight (nobody else has done it in even four straight), according to Doug Clawson of CBS Sports.
Tomlin downplayed the six-game playoff losing streak when asked about it during his Tuesday press conference.
“You know, it’s not about the organization or myself,” Tomlin said. “It’s about this collective. And quite frankly, most of these men don’t care about the last whatever years (of the streak). Most of them are new to us, and so that’s where my focus is.”
“I’m certainly not going to unpack my bags on the collective’s bed, if you will. I’m excited about (winning a playoff game) and doing it this week with this collective.”
The Steelers have been out-scored 73-0 in the first quarter during their six-game playoff losing streak. They’ve gone 69 straight games scoring seven or less in the first quarter, too.
One thing going in the Steelers’ favor is their history on Monday Night Football at home. The Steelers have won 23 straight games on Monday Night Football in...
