Pittsburgh's Playoff Hopes Dashed as Texans Shut Down Rodgers

The Houston Texans made a statement in the NFL playoffs on Sunday, limiting Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to just 212 passing yards in a dominating 30-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Texans’ stifling defense held Rodgers and company to less than half of their season average, further solidifying their claim as one of the top defensive units in the league. Deshaun Watson was nearly unstoppable on the ground for Houston, rushing for 132 yards and two touchdowns while also throwing for a touchdown. The Texans’ offense also received significant contributions from running back Lamar Miller, who ran for 105 yards and added a touchdown. The Steelers struggled to move the ball against the Texans’ suffocating defense, which held them to just 259 total yards on offense. Pittsburgh’s usual potent passing attack was neutralized by Houston’s secondary, which limited Rodgers to just one touchdown pass. Despite their disappointing loss, the Steelers can take pride in their performance. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger showed flashes of brilliance, but ultimately couldn’t overcome the lack of production from his receivers and running backs. The Texans’ victory sets up a showdown with either the Kansas City Chiefs or the Tennessee Titans in the Divisional Round, who both lost in the previous round. Houston is looking to make some noise in the playoffs for the first time since 2011, and Sunday’s win may have given them just the boost they need to make a deep run. The loss sends the Steelers packing, but their fans can look forward to next season with optimism. With Roethlisberger at the helm, there’s always hope that Pittsburgh will become a dominant force in the AFC once again.