Texans vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats and Game Recap

The latest Texans vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats come from Houston’s 30–6 AFC Wild Card victory at Acrisure Stadium on January 12, 2026. C.J. Stroud passed for 250 yards, Christian Kirk produced 144 receiving yards, and Woody Marks rushed for 112 yards. Houston also scored two defensive touchdowns while holding Pittsburgh to only 175 total yards.

The game was much closer than the final score suggests through three quarters. Houston led only 7–6 before scoring 23 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Sheldon Rankins returned a fumble for a touchdown, and Calen Bullock later delivered a 50-yard pick-six.

Texans vs Steelers game snapshot

Game detail	Information
Competition	AFC Wild Card round
Date	January 12, 2026
Venue	Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh
Final score	Texans 30, Steelers 6
Halftime score	Texans 7, Steelers 6
Fourth-quarter scoring	Texans 23, Steelers 0
Attendance	67,297
Game duration	2 hours, 57 minutes

Houston entered the game as the fifth seed, while AFC North champion Pittsburgh hosted the contest as the fourth seed. The victory gave the Texans their first road playoff win in franchise history.

Texans vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats

Quarterback comparison

Player	Comp/Att	Pass yards	TD	INT	Sacks	Rating
C.J. Stroud, Texans	21/32	250	1	1	3	86.7
Aaron Rodgers, Steelers	17/33	146	0	1	4	50.8
Mason Rudolph, Steelers	1/1	2	0	0	0	79.2

Stroud did not play a mistake-free game. He threw an interception, lost two fumbles and was sacked three times. However, he completed 65.6% of his attempts and generated 250 passing yards, 104 more than Rodgers.

His most important possession came in the second quarter. Starting at Houston’s eight-yard line, Stroud led a 14-play, 92-yard drive that lasted 7:01. He completed it with a six-yard touchdown pass to Christian Kirk, giving Houston a 7–3 lead.

Rodgers completed only 17 of 33 passes and finished without a touchdown. Houston sacked him four times for 36 lost yards, reducing Pittsburgh’s net passing total to 112 yards. His two fourth-quarter turnovers became touchdowns for the Texans’ defense.

Rushing leaders

Player	Attempts	Yards	Average	Long	TD
Woody Marks, Texans	19	112	5.9	20	1
Nick Chubb, Texans	10	48	4.8	9	0
Jaylen Warren, Steelers	12	43	3.6	12	0
Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers	6	20	3.3	14	0
Cade Stover, Texans	1	4	4.0	4	0

Woody Marks gave Houston the most productive running performance of the game. He averaged 5.9 yards per attempt and became the only player from either team to cross 100 rushing yards.

His 13-yard touchdown run with 3:38 remaining completed an 11-play, 87-yard drive. That score was important because it showed Houston could finish the game on offense rather than depending entirely on defensive returns.

Nick Chubb added 48 yards on 10 carries. Together, Marks and Chubb gained 160 of Houston’s 164 rushing yards.

Pittsburgh never established the same control. Jaylen Warren led the Steelers with 43 yards, while the team finished with 63 rushing yards and no offensive touchdowns.

Receiving leaders

Player	Targets	Receptions	Yards	Average	Long	TD
Christian Kirk, Texans	9	8	144	18.0	46	1
Jayden Higgins, Texans	4	3	39	13.0	16	0
Nico Collins, Texans	7	3	21	7.0	13	0
DK Metcalf, Steelers	5	2	42	21.0	25	0
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Steelers	5	3	26	8.7	14	0
Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers	6	4	26	6.5	12	0
Adam Thielen, Steelers	2	2	25	12.5	21	0

Christian Kirk was Houston’s leading offensive player. He caught eight of his nine targets, produced 144 yards and scored the game’s only passing touchdown. His 46-yard reception was also the longest offensive play recorded by either team.

Kirk accounted for 57.6% of Stroud’s passing yards. That made him more productive than all Pittsburgh wide receivers combined, who recorded 101 receiving yards.

Nico Collins attracted seven targets but was held to three catches for 21 yards. Pittsburgh’s attention toward Collins helped create opportunities elsewhere, particularly for Kirk.

DK Metcalf led the Steelers with 42 yards, but he caught only two of five targets. Pittsburgh had no receiver with more than four catches and no pass catcher reached the end zone.

Defensive player stats that changed the game

Houston Texans defensive leaders

Player	Key defensive production
Sheldon Rankins	1.5 sacks, fumble recovery, 33-yard return TD
Calen Bullock	1 interception, 50-yard return TD
Danielle Hunter	1 sack, 2 QB hits, forced fumble
Will Anderson Jr.	0.5 sack, 3 QB hits, forced fumble
Denico Autry	0.5 sack, 2 QB hits, 2 pass defenses
Derek Barnett	0.5 sack, 2 QB hits
Jalen Pitre	7 combined tackles, 2 tackles for loss
Henry To’oTo’o	7 combined tackles, 1 QB hit

Houston’s defense produced four sacks, 12 quarterback hits, eight tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and an interception. More importantly, it converted both Pittsburgh turnovers into touchdowns.

Rankins made the defining play with 11:23 remaining. Danielle Hunter forced Rodgers to lose the football, and Rankins returned it 33 yards for a touchdown. Houston’s lead moved from 10–6 to 17–6 without its offense taking the field.

Bullock ended any remaining chance of a comeback. He intercepted Rodgers with 2:39 left and returned the ball 50 yards for the final touchdown.

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive leaders

Player	Key defensive production
Patrick Queen	10 combined tackles
Derrick Harmon	6 tackles, 1 sack
Keeanu Benton	4 tackles, 1 sack, forced fumble
Jack Sawyer	1 sack, forced fumble
Brandin Echols	1 interception
T.J. Watt	6 tackles, 1 QB hit, fumble recovery
Yahya Black	2 tackles, fumble recovery

The Steelers’ defense gave the team chances to remain competitive. It recorded three sacks and forced three turnovers: one interception and two recovered fumbles. Brandin Echols intercepted Stroud, while T.J. Watt and Yahya Black recovered Houston fumbles.

The problem was that Pittsburgh’s offense could not capitalize. One Steelers possession began at Houston’s 21-yard line after a turnover, but the drive gained only four yards and ended with a field goal.

Complete team statistics comparison

Statistic	Texans	Steelers
Total yards	408	175
Offensive plays	66	56
Yards per play	6.2	3.1
First downs	21	13
Net passing yards	244	112
Rushing yards	164	63
Yards per rush	5.3	3.5
Third-down conversions	10/15	2/14
Third-down rate	66.7%	14.3%
Red-zone scoring	2/3	0/2
Sacks allowed	3	4
Turnovers committed	3	2
Time of possession	32:22	27:38

The largest difference was not the passing-yard total. It was third-down execution.

Houston converted 10 of 15 third downs. Pittsburgh converted only two of 14. That gap allowed the Texans to extend drives, run 10 additional offensive plays and keep their defense from being overworked.

Houston also doubled Pittsburgh’s average gain per passing play, 7.0 to 2.9. The Steelers’ 148 gross passing yards fell to 112 net yards after accounting for four sacks.

Pittsburgh reached the red zone twice but failed to score a touchdown on either trip. Houston converted two of its three red-zone appearances and added two defensive scores from outside the red zone.

Quarter-by-quarter scoring timeline

Quarter	Time	Scoring play	Score
First	6:02	Chris Boswell 32-yard field goal	PIT 3–0
Second	8:28	Christian Kirk 6-yard TD catch	HOU 7–3
Second	1:57	Chris Boswell 35-yard field goal	HOU 7–6
Fourth	13:07	Ka’imi Fairbairn 51-yard field goal	HOU 10–6
Fourth	11:23	Sheldon Rankins 33-yard fumble-return TD	HOU 17–6
Fourth	3:38	Woody Marks 13-yard rushing TD	HOU 24–6
Fourth	2:39	Calen Bullock 50-yard interception-return TD	HOU 30–6

Neither team scored during the third quarter. Houston’s first fourth-quarter points came from Fairbairn’s 51-yard field goal, but the two defensive touchdowns turned a four-point advantage into a blowout.

How Houston won despite committing three turnovers

The Texans controlled third down

Houston’s 66.7% third-down success rate kept its offense on the field. The Texans produced six more passing first downs and three more rushing first downs than Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh’s 14.3% third-down rate repeatedly left its defense in difficult positions. The Steelers punted six times, twice as often as Houston.

Kirk and Marks provided offensive balance

Kirk controlled the passing game, while Marks controlled the ground game. Together, they generated 256 scrimmage yards.

That balance prevented Pittsburgh from focusing on one part of the offense. Houston could use Kirk for explosive gains and Marks to stay ahead of the chains and close the game.

Houston generated more valuable turnovers

Pittsburgh forced three turnovers but converted the resulting opportunities into only three points. Houston forced two turnovers and returned both for touchdowns.

This is the clearest reason the turnover count alone does not explain the outcome. Houston lost the turnover battle 3–2 but won the points-off-turnovers battle because its defense scored directly.

The pass rush limited Rodgers

Houston pressured Rodgers throughout the game. The defense recorded 12 quarterback hits and four sacks, including a strip-sack that Rankins returned for a touchdown.

The pressure also restricted Pittsburgh’s downfield passing. The Steelers completed only two passes of at least 20 yards, and their longest gain covered 25 yards.

What the numbers say about Pittsburgh’s offense

Pittsburgh’s problems affected almost every offensive category. The Steelers finished with:

• No touchdowns.
• 175 total yards.
• 13 first downs.
• 63 rushing yards.
• 112 net passing yards.
• Two successful third downs.
• No red-zone touchdowns.
• Two turnovers that became defensive scores.

The offense had one promising early drive, moving 58 yards before Boswell’s opening field goal. After that, Pittsburgh did not produce a scoring drive longer than four net yards. Its second field goal came after the defense gave the offense possession at Houston’s 21-yard line.

The score remained close because Pittsburgh’s defense created turnovers. Once Houston protected the ball more effectively and its defensive front increased the pressure, the Steelers had no reliable way to respond.

Latest completed game versus the upcoming matchup

This statistical recap covers the January 12, 2026 Wild Card game, which is the latest completed meeting as of July 2026.

Houston and Pittsburgh are also scheduled to meet at Acrisure Stadium during Week 13 of the 2026 regular season. That future game has no final player statistics yet, so upcoming schedules or prediction pages should not be confused with the completed playoff box score.

More Sports Profiles: Miami Dolphins vs Indianapolis Colts Match Player Stats

Conclusion

The Texans vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats show a game decided by efficiency and defensive impact rather than the turnover count alone. Stroud provided 250 passing yards, Kirk dominated with 144 receiving yards, and Marks gave Houston 112 yards on the ground. The Texans then turned two Pittsburgh mistakes into 14 defensive points. Pittsburgh’s defense created enough opportunities to keep the game close for three quarters. Its offense could not use them. With only 175 yards, two third-down conversions and no touchdowns, the Steelers eventually lost control of the game. Houston’s 30–6 win was therefore more than a late scoring burst. It was the result of stronger offensive balance, better situational execution and a defense capable of scoring on its own.

Frequently asked questions

Who won the Texans versus Pittsburgh Steelers playoff game?

The Houston Texans defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 30–6 in the AFC Wild Card round on January 12, 2026.

Who had the most passing yards?

C.J. Stroud led both teams with 250 passing yards. Aaron Rodgers recorded 146 yards, while Mason Rudolph added two yards on one completed pass.

Who was the leading rusher?

Woody Marks led the game with 112 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries. He averaged 5.9 yards per attempt.

Who recorded the most receiving yards?

Christian Kirk caught eight passes for 144 yards and one touchdown. He was the only player in the game to record more than 50 receiving yards.

How many touchdowns did the Steelers score?

Pittsburgh did not score a touchdown. Its six points came from two Chris Boswell field goals.

Which Houston defensive players scored touchdowns?

Sheldon Rankins scored on a 33-yard fumble return, while Calen Bullock scored on a 50-yard interception return.

How many total yards did each team have?

Houston gained 408 total yards. Pittsburgh finished with 175, giving the Texans a 233-yard advantage.

Why did Houston win despite having more turnovers?

Houston converted 10 of 15 third downs, outgained Pittsburgh 408–175 and returned both of Pittsburgh’s turnovers for touchdowns. Pittsburgh forced three turnovers but scored only three points from the resulting possessions.