The Houston Texans are officially the fifth seed in the AFC and will travel to meet the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium to start their postseason. This is due to the Steelers defeating the Baltimore Ravens in a thrilling "winner-take-all" week 18 AFC North showdown last night 26-24.

Statistical Advantage: Texans

To many, the Steelers represent the most favorable matchup for Houston in the WIldcard round. For starters, they have the worst remaining total yardage offense (300.4 yds/game) and average the second-worst scoring mark (23.2 points/game) amongst the AFC playoff teams. 

On the defensive side of the ball, they allow the most yards (356.8 yards) and points scored (22.7) amongst the seven. In short, the Texans have the statistical advantages regardless of the phase of play. 

Houston's defense leads all AFC contenders in yards allowed (277.2) and points scored (17.4). To add, the Texans' offense averages 26.6 more yards per game than Pittsburgh's, and averages .6 more points (23.8). 

While the difference in point generation may be negligible, the ability to shut down the opposing offense is what could prove to be the major difference in the trajectory of the two franchises come January 12th.

Limping to the Playoffs

The Steelers have also been leaking oil all regular season long. There came an eight-game stretch from October 16th to December 7th where they alternated wins and losses to the tune of a 3-5 record. They also lost a week 17 contest against the Cleveland Browns 13-6 when Pittsburgh was seeking to secure the AFC North without the added drama of a week 18 "play in" game. 

Translation: On top of the data-driven disadvantages, they have not been reliable when multiple situations have called for them to be. Thus, that makes them the perfect opponent for a Texans team that has slugged their way out of an 0-3 hole just to clinch a Wildcard berth. 

Houston, for the most part, doesn't care who they play next week.

"It’s all about us. Everything that we want is in front of us, and it’s all for the taking. So, we gotta go out and do it," expressed Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud to CBS Sports in his on-field postgame interview. 

Battle-Tested, Playoff-Ready

His confidence is high, and so is the rest of the team's. Houston has scratched and clawed their way to the doorstep of a potential Super Bowl run by finishing their season 12-5 while having to defeat teams like the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers. 

They still have to go out and play the game. But, facing an uneven Steelers team with a 42-yard quarterback in Aaron Rodgers has the makings of a great chance for Houston to advance to the Divisional round for the third postseason in a row. 

Head coach Demeco Ryans will definitely help cultivate the proper mindset heading into the contest. One game at a time, go out and execute. That's been the messaging all season long, and it will continue to be next week. 

Do you think the Texans have a chance against the Pittsburgh Steelers? Let us know in the comments section below and by mentioning us at @Texans_RTB on X!