The Steelers are hosting a home playoff game tonight in front of fans for the first time in eight years. Yet, there is a reason the home team is not the favorite to win. The Texans come into town boasting the league’s No. 1 defense, a unit capable of shutting down any offense.
Here’s a snapshot of what the Texans bring into Week 18:
HOUSTON TEXANS
Head coach: DeMeco Ryans (2023-present)
Record: 12-5
Standing: Second, AFC South
Last result: Won over Colts, 38-30
THE TREND
The Texans came into the 2025 season as the favorite to win the AFC South for the third straight season. However, after losing their first three games and both the Jaguars and Colts getting off to fast starts, a division title wasn’t all that appeared to be out of the question. While the Texans went 3-2 over their next five games, they still found themselves at 3-5 through the first eight weeks of the season.
However, the Texans’ 18-15 loss to the Broncos on Nov. 2 was their final loss of the season. They went on a ridiculous nine-game win streak to close out the season, finishing with a 12-5 record, just one game behind the revived Jaguars under Liam Coen. During the win streak, the Texans averaged 26 points per game and outscored their opponents by an average of 6.9 points per game. The win streak and finish was good enough to earn the No. 5 seed, the highest wild-card spot in the AFC.
The Texans did what they did thanks to a championship-caliber defense while having a young quarterback that continues to blossom into the franchise-level player most coveted by every team in the NFL. No, they aren’t a perfect group, but the Texans have enough going for them to make them a threat to any team they face in the playoffs.
THE QUARTERBACK: C.J. Stroud
• Height: 6-3
• Weight: 218
• College: Ohio State
• Drafted: Texans, 2023, first round (2nd overall)
• Career accolades: Pro Bowl (2023), 2023 AP and PFWA Offensive Rookie of the Year, 2023 PFWA Rookie of the Year
• Completions: 273 (20th)
• Attempts: 423 (20th)
• Completion percentage: 64.5% (20th)
• Passing yards: 3,041 (19th)
• Passing touchdowns: 19 (T-21st)
• Interceptions: 8 (T-15th)
• Passer rating: 92.9 (17th)
• Yards per attempt: 7.2 (T-14th)
• Average time to throw: 2.82 seconds (T-15th)
• Sacks: 23 (T-22nd)
• Pressure rate: 32.6% (18th)
• EPA/play: 0.164 (9th)
• Completion percentage over expected (CPOE): +0.4% (21st)
• Average air yards: 8.2 (15th)
RBSDM.COM
Ever since he was drafted out of Ohio State, the expectations have been high for Stroud. He possesses a high football IQ and superb athleticism, which is fits right into today’s NFL product. He can extend plays with his legs, but isn’t quick to take off and run. He looks to make the pass first, and even did so as a rookie.
While Stroud hasn’t matched the efficiency of his rookie season in either of the two years that followed, he’s still a savvy quarterback capable of making plays when needed, even under pressure, in which he ranks 12th in the NFL with a 78.5 passer rating. However, he’s not perfect. The Steelers’ pass rush has been playing much better down the stretch, and Stroud’s numbers aren’t great as opposed to other quarterbacks when blitzed (91.4 passer rating, 24th in the NFL).
When teams get to this stage of the season, chances are high there’s a franchise quarterback on the other sideline. Though he’s not in the running for MVP this season, Stroud is still one of those guys. He cannot be taken lightly.
THE OFFENSE
Offensive coordinator/play-caller: Nick Caley (2025-present)
Caley’s most notable previous jobs: Rams’ tight ends coach, pass game coordinator (2024), Rams’ tight ends coach (2023), Patriots’ tight ends coach (2022), Patriots’ tight ends/fullbacks coach (2020-2021)
• Total yards per game: 327.0 (18th)
• Passing yards per game: 218.1 (14th)
• Rushing yards per game: 108.9 (22nd)
• Points per game: 23.8 (13th)
• Yards per play: 5.1 (T-23rd)
• Turnovers: 12 (2nd-fewest)
• EPA/play: -0.008 (22nd)
• EPA/dropback: 0.083 (17th)
• EPA/rush: -0.149 (30th)
• Third down efficiency: 37.2% (23rd)
• Red zone touchdown efficiency: 46.3% (30th)
• 11 personnel usage: 65.99% (6th)
• 12 personnel usage: 7.72% (31st)
• 13 personnel usage: 1.47% (26th)
• 21 personnel usage: 4.60% (13th)
• 22 personnel usage: 1.29% (13th)
The Texans don’t stand out in a lot of ways on offense. And with how good their defense is, they don’t really have to. However, one thing they do well is possess the football, as they ranked fourth in the NFL with an average of 31:48 in possession. Offensively, they achieve this through a dedication to running the football and spreading the ball to several targets through the air.
The run game goes primarily through Woody Marks, who rushed for 703 yards this season, but Nick Chubb tagged in quite a bit, carrying the ball 122 times for 506 yards. Through the air, Nico Collins leads the way as one of the more dangerous receivers in the game. He was Stroud’s No. 1 target in 2025, catching 71 passes for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns. The Texans drafted two rookie receivers out of Iowa State, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, and both became contributors right away. Higgins immediately became their No. 2 receiver, catching 41 passes for 525 yards and tied Collins with six touchdowns for the team lead. Dalton Schultz is also a very reliable security blanket at tight end for Stroud, as he led the team with 82 receptions and was second on the team with 777 yards, contributing three touchdowns, as well. As a team that primarily operates out of 11 personnel, those three receivers and Schultz at tight end are the primary weapons you’ll see in the Houston offense.
The Texans’ offensive line is perhaps the greatest weakness on the entire roster, as Pro Football Focus ranked this unit 27th in the league. The right side of the line is most fortified with Ed Ingram at guard and Trent Brown at tackle. While left tackle Aireontae Ersery, left guard Tytus Howard and center Jake Andrews aren’t liabilities in pass protection, they have really struggled in creating lanes for Marks or Chubb in the run game. Getting to Stroud won’t be easy, but the Texans’ inconsistency in running the football could make them one-dimensional, which always make rushing the passer much easier.
THE DEFENSE
Defensive coordinator/play-caller: Matt Burke (2023-present)
Burke’s most notable previous jobs: Cardinals’ defensive line coach (2022), Jets’ game management coach (2021), Eagles’ run game coordinator/defensive line coach (2020), Dolphins’ defensive coordinator (2017-2018)
• Total yards per game: 277.2 (1st)
• Passing yards per game: 183.5 (6th)
• Rushing yards per game: 93.7 (4th)
• Points per game: 17.4 (2nd)
• Yards per play: 4.8 (T-4th)
• Takeaways: 29 (3rd)
• EPA/play: -0.108 (2nd)
• EPA/dropback: -0.100 (1st)
• EPA/rush: -0.124 (3rd)
• Third down efficiency: 36.2% (6th)
• Red zone touchdown efficiency: 56.8% (16th)
• Base defense usage: 25.6% (24th)
• Nickel usage: 73.2% (5th)
• Dime usage: 0.1% (30th)
• Man coverage: 21.0% (19th)
• Zone coverage: 74.4% (13th)
• Single-high usage (MFC): 53.1% (T-11th)
• Two-high usage (MFO): 46.8% (22nd)
• Cover 4 usage: 21.3% (5th)
• Cover 6 usage: 12.7% (7th)
• Blitz rate: 21.0% (28th)
• Sacks: 47 (T-7th)
• Pressure rate: 33.9% (18th)
There’s no way around this: The Texans have a phenomenal defense. It starts with their edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter. Anderson had 12 sacks and was named first-team All-Pro for being an all-around nightmare. Hunter is no slouch, either, as he led the Texans with 15 sacks and was named second-team All-Pro for his efforts. But Houston’s defensive front isn’t just strong on the edges. The Texans allowed 3.4 yards per carry and a 16.9% first down conversion rate on designed runs between the tackles this season, both the lowest marks in the NFL. They allowed just 0.4 yards before contact (fewest) on called inside runs, making contact behind the line of scrimmage on 44.7% (fourth-highest). Tommy Togiai stands out up front, as he led the Texans with 38 run stops that forced unsuccessful plays this season, the 10th-most among defensive tackles, despite playing just 206 snaps in run defense.
But the Texans aren’t only strong up front. They have a secondary that can go toe-to-toe with just about any passing attack. That’s led by cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who was named first-team All-Pro for a season in which he recorded four interceptions, one pick six, 15 passes defensed and a 67.4 passer rating against. Kamari Lassiter starts opposite of him at the other cornerback position, and he had four interceptions and 17 passes defensed, showing he’s also a formidable player in the Houston secondary. Jalen Pitre at nickelback and Calen Bullock at safety are also standout players, as both players also had four interceptions each, creating a four-way tie for the team lead. And, it’s worth mentioning that Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’oTo’o aren’t scrubs at linebacker.
For as dangerous as this defense sounds, they aren’t completely invincible. The Texans allowed eight passes of 40-plus yards this season, which is tied for 11th-most, but four of those came in the final three weeks of the season. Lassiter was out in Week 18 with ankle and knee issues sustained the week prior, and Tremon Smith was burned twice in his stead. With or without Lassiter, this is something Ryans and Burke have addressed with urgency this week, especially with deep threat DK Metcalf returning from his two-game suspension. If the Texans overcorrect to fix their explosive pass plays against, could that open things up underneath for Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell? After all, those two were the only pair of running backs on the same team that both eclipsed 1,000 yards from scrimmage this season. What they can do on check-downs has to earn its own share of attention.
THE SPECIAL TEAMS
Ka’imi Fairbarn handles placekicking duties for the Texans, and might have been robbed of an All-Pro nod. He led the NFL in both made field goals (44) and attempts (48). He was perfect on all 35 attempts inside of 50 yards, but Fairbarn still has plenty of leg, making a long of 57 yards this season. Former All-Pro punter Tommy Townsend is in his second season with the Texans, averaging 47.6 yards per punt with a long of 73 yards. Noel contributes on both kick and punt returns, averaging a respectable 27.6 yards per kick return. And, he has a long of 53 yards on punt returns.
THE INJURY REPORT
Ruled OUT:
• Jawhar Jordan, RB (ankle) — Jordan did not practice all week, and he was subsequently ruled out of Monday night’s game. Jordan is the third-string running back on the depth chart behind Marks and Chubb.
Ruled as QUESTIONABLE:
• *Ajani Carter, CB (hamstring) — Carter is working his way back from injured reserve and was able to put in a full week’s worth of practice. Carter hasn’t played since Week 12, and the Texans have to activate him by Tuesday or he’ll be shut down for the season. So, he appears to be close to a return, which would bolster a secondary that’s getting Lassiter back healthy, as well.
• *Jaylen Reed, S (forearm) — Reed is also working his way back from injured reserve. He was limited in practice on Thursday, but was able to fully participate on Friday and Saturday. He had his 21-day window to return opened just this week, but we could still see him return to play the special teams role he was in before this injury put him on IR.
Players on injury report, but cleared to play:
• Kamari Lassiter, CB
• Derek Stingley Jr., CB
• Austin Brinkman, LS
• Jamal Hill, LB
• Tytus Howard, G
• Trent Brown, OT
• Aireontae Ersery, OT
• Sheldon Rankins, DT
• Denico Autry, DE
* – in 21-day window to return from injured reserve
Players on injured reserve/PUP:
• Mario Edwards Jr., DT
• Folorunso Fatukasi, DT
• Kyonte Hamilton, DT
• Jake Hansen, LB
• Brevin Jordan, TE
• Tim Settle Jr., DT
• Jaylin Smith, CB
• M.J. Stewart, S
QUOTABLE
“Obviously being where we’re supposed to be in terms of whatever coverage we’re trying to execute. Again, a little bit back to [Aaron] Rodgers’ question in terms of the ball is going to go downfield, he’s still got a live arm. Especially with DK [Metcalf] back, the shots they’re going to take and designed up to those guys. So, we have to keep depth to our defense and stay over the top of the routes. We need to stay over the top of it for sure. … [Metcalf]’s a really good player, obviously. So, I think, again, I think I talked maybe a couple weeks ago that someone asked me about Nico [Collins], in terms of even being in phase with them and being, ‘covered,’ or being on them, he can still go make those plays.Obviously, can out-muscle you, outwork you, can go up and get the ball. So, he just opens up those sorts of plays for them and really reopens some of their playbook. So, it’s going to be a good challenge to try to slow down his explosive plays for sure.” — Matt Burke on limiting explosive plays, how DK Metcalf’s return impacts that
They rush together. They’re going to push the pocket and burn the edge. I think they do a great job even with their effort. They’re getting chips and things like that the whole game and they’re still going very hard. I have a lot of respect for [Alex] Highsmith and [T.J.] Watt and their interior guys. I think their whole defensive line is the heartbeat of their team. Then you’ve got Patrick Queen, who’s a dog and been a great player in this league for a long time. Then Jalen [Ramsey], leading the guys in the back end. I think, overall, they’ve done a really good job. They make it hard and they play really hard. It’s going to be a challenge. Up front, I respect them to a high standard and how Mike [Tomlin] coaches those guys as well.” — C.J. Stroud on the Steelers’ pass rush
“Aaron [Rodgers] had a ton of success in this league. As I mentioned earlier, he’s one of the best quarterbacks to play this game. He’s that way for a reason. He’s a very smart guy and does a really good job of taking a couple plays to the line of scrimmage and trying to get them into the most advantageous play when he sees the defense and he sees what he’s facing and he sees a weakness of where he can get the ball out quick, that’s where he’s going to go with the football. For us, it’s not so much of a chess match. Defensively, we know he’s going to figure out what you’re doing, how you’re disguising, all those things. It’s going to be about us collectively as a team, not just about Aaron Rodgers. It’s our defense versus their offense. They have a ton of playmakers who Aaron gets the ball to that do a really great job in space of making guys miss. We have to do a great job of tackling whoever gets the football.” — DeMeco Ryans on the chess match against Aaron Rodgers
“Shoot, I grew up Catholic. I’ll call every one of my priests to come and bless those end zones if we have to do that. I didn’t know that. That’s funny. I think that you live right, you do your job and hopefully the rest take care of itself.” — Special teams coordinator Frank Ross on a priest blessing the Pittsburgh end zones last week
