Steelers' playoff woes deepen, fueling speculation about coaching changes and quarterback futures after a decisive loss to the surging Texans.
Another playoff game and another loss for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers lost their seventh consecutive postseason game on Monday night, getting routed 30-6 by the Houston Texans in an AFC Wild Card game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. They remain winless in the playoffs since the 2016 season, and coach Mike Tomlin tied an NFL record for most postseason losses in a row, matching the mark Marvin Lewis set from 2005-15.
The Texans (13-5) broke the game open when they outscored the Steelers 23-0 in the fourth quarter by turning a one-point lead into a blowout while running their winning streak to 10 games. Houston will visit the New England Patriots on Sunday in a Division round game.
Another early playoff exit leads to questions for the Steelers (10-8).
First, what will happen with Tomlin? There has been mounting speculation that he will mutually part ways with the Steelers after 19 seasons and pursue a career in broadcasting.
And what about Aaron Rodgers? The 42-year-old quarterback has said all season that he is leaning toward retirement, and the oldest player in the NFL looked tired and slow on Monday after leading the Steelers to the AFC North in the regular season.
Rodgers and the Steelers were overmatched by the Texans’ defense, which gave up the fewest total yards in the league during the regular season. He completed 17 of 33 passes for 146 yards while throwing an interception and getting sacked four times.
The Steelers were outgained 408-175 in total yards, went 2-for-14 on third down, and were limited to two Chris Boswell field goals. Still, the Steelers trailed by only one point at the start of the fourth quarter.
However, everything fell apart in the fourth quarter when the Texans scored two defensive touchdowns on Sheldon Rankins’ 33-yard fumble return and Calen Bullock’s 50-yard interception return. Woody Marks added a 13-yard TD run.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was 21-of-32 passing for 250 yards and one touchdown, which was a 6-yarder to Christian Kirk in the second quarter that capped a 92-yard drive. Kirk finished with eight receptions for 144 yards. Marks rushed for 112 yards in 19 carries.
Keeanu Benton and Jack Sawyer each had a sack and a forced fumble for the Steelers. Patrick Queen made a team-high 10 tackles.
Jaylen Warren led the Steelers in rushing with 43 yards in 12 attempts, and Kenneth Gainwell had a team-best four receptions for 26 yards.