Expert prediction
AFC Wild Card: Houston Texans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Preview, Odds, Picks (Jan 12)
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
- Texans vs. Steelers odds favor Houston at -166.
- The Steelers beat the Ravens, 28-26, following a missed FG.
- Houston Texans won 9 games in a row.
Texans are coming to Pittsburgh as favorites because we haven’t seen that much from the Steelers this year.
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How to Watch
- When: Monday, January 12, 8:15 pm ET
- Where: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- How to Watch: ESPN, ABC
Texans vs. Steelers Odds
Game Preview
Texans have one of the best, if not the best, defenses in the NFL, and they have 9 straight wins. Therefore, they are coming into the playoffs red-hot with excellent form and high morale.
They allow the fewest scrimmage yards per game, 277.2, and the second-fewest number of points, 17.4. The latter was affected mainly by the recent 38-30 win over the Colts, where Houston played in a relaxed mode with many starters sitting out.
The Steelers had luck. And their trip to the playoffs was sheer luck, and nobody can say otherwise. A 26-24 win happened because Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard walk-off field goal.
Pittsburgh generated 305.6 scrimmage yards per game, one of the worst in the NFL (26th), and that says enough about their offense. The primary reason is a weak RB core, as the Steelers are posting just 103.3 rushing yards per game.
Texans vs. Steelers Head to Head
The series result is 5-3 in favor of the Steelers. The last game was in October 2023, 30-6 for the Texans in Houston.
Texans vs. Steelers Predictions
We love the Steelers, we really do, and we didn’t hide that in the past, but here in this Wild Card round game, Houston will steamroll over them. Their defense is fantastic, and the Steelers simply don’t have the capacity to beat it.
- Free NFL Picks: Texans -3
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