Connect with us

Sports

Texans defense suffocates Aaron Rodgers, Steelers in playoff win

Published

on

Texans defense suffocates Aaron Rodgers, Steelers in playoff win


NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Crunch.

That was the sound of Houston Texans players colliding with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers early in the fourth quarter of their Wild Card Round matchup, causing him to lose the ball. Texans defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins picked the ball up and ran it to the end zone for what felt like the knockout blow even though there was still a lot of time left to play.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) loses possession of the ball while being tackled by Houston Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter (55) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)

It was that type of game for both teams – a defensive struggle – as Houston put together a 30-6 victory. It was the franchise’s first road playoff victory.

There were big hits and little room for error. Houston had a 7-6 lead at halftime thanks to a touchdown pass from C.J. Stroud to Christian Kirk.

Even as the Texans turned the ball over three times between the first half and the third quarter, the Steelers could only muster up three points. Houston’s defensive prowess was on display on each snap as Rodgers was left with little to no time to make a decision.

When he did have time to throw, wide receivers like DK Metcalf, Jonnu Smith and Calvin Austin III either dropped the ball or were just a hair off. Rodgers also had a few of his passes deflected.

Christian Kirk scores a TD

Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) runs to the end zone for a touchdown while defended by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Brandin Echols (26) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)

BEARS’ BEN JOHNSON POURS GASOLINE ON PACKERS RIVALRY: ‘I JUST DON’T LIKE THAT TEAM’

Steelers fans let the team hear it with plenty of boos. Pittsburgh extended its playoff losing streak to seven games.

Texans running back Woody Marks ran for 100 yards for the first time in his career and scored a touchdown to really seal the win. Texans defensive back Calen Bullock returned an interception for a touchdown late in the game.

Stroud finished 21-of-32 with 250 passing yards and the touchdown pass. The Texans’ defense sacked Rodgers four times. Rankins was good for 1.5 sacks.

The Steelers almost had no offense throughout the game. The team was held to 175 yards and outscored 23-0 in the fourth quarter.

CJ Stroud throws the ball

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud throws during the first half of the NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Houston will take on the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.





Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Aaron Rodgers retirement intrigue begins following playoff loss

Published

on

Aaron Rodgers retirement intrigue begins following playoff loss


NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Aaron Rodgers very well may have played his final NFL game on Monday night, and it came at a crushing loss in the Wild Card Round against the Houston Texans.

Rodgers had a tough night that included a fumble loss that resulted in a touchdown and a pick six that piled onto the already seemingly insurmountable score. But while it appeared he could still make amazing throws all season long, NFL broadcaster Troy Aikman brought up a sobering reminder that Rodgers could very well hang up the cleats after the game.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans greets Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) after an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)

“I think we are watching Aaron Rodgers’ last game and what we saw of Philip Rivers this year when he came out and decided to come out of retirement and play for the Colts, who knows what next year might bring,” Aikman said. “He might be willing to come in at some point if a team needs a quarterback. I doubt that will happen.

“I don’t imagine he’s gonna say he wants to come back and sign with the Steelers again or with another team.”

Rodgers shook hands with Texans opponents as he walked off the field. He was 17-of-33 for 146 yards. He was sacked four times.

TEXANS DEFENSE SUFFOCATES AARON RODGERS, STEELERS IN PLAYOFF WIN

Aaron Rodgers warms up

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers warms up before an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

The clock started on his decision about whether he would return to the NFL for the 2026 season. He was asked almost immediately about his future as he joined reporters for the postgame press conference.

“I’m not going to make any emotional decisions,” Rodgers said. “I’m disappointed. It was such a fun year. Obviously, a lot of adversity, but a lot of fun.”

The NFL Network reported last week the Steelers would be “more than open” to bringing Rodgers back for next season if he decides against retirement.

If this is it for Rodgers, he will go down as one of the game’s best quarterbacks.

He was a 10-time Pro Bowler, four-time MVP and one-time Super Bowl champion. He played for the Steelers, Green Bay Packers and New York Jets.

Aaron Rodgers talks to reporters

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers speaks during a press conference after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Rodgers racked up 66,274 passing yards and 527 passing touchdowns in 264 games. He amassed 163 regular-season wins in 257 starts as a quarterback.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.





Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Aaron Rodgers, Mike Tomlin and the Steelers enter offseason of uncertainty

Published

on



After lopsided home playoff loss to the Texans, Pittsburgh’s quarterback and coach face questions about what’s next.



Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Salman Ali Agha sets new record in third T20I against Sri Lanka – SUCH TV

Published

on

Salman Ali Agha sets new record in third T20I against Sri Lanka – SUCH TV



Although the third T20I match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Dambulla proved to be a disappointment for the national team, captain Salman Ali Agha’s brilliant and aggressive batting won the hearts of cricket fans and also broke the record of former West Indies batsman Kieron Pollard.

Salman Ali Agha played an incredible innings of 45 runs in just 12 balls, which included 5 fours and 3 sixes.

His strike rate was 375.0, which is the highest strike rate by any captain in the history of T20Is (against full-member teams, with the condition of playing at least 10 balls).

With this feat, he broke the record of former West Indies batsman Kieron Pollard.

Previously, this honor was held by Kieron Pollard, who scored 38 runs off 11 balls against Sri Lanka in 2021 at a strike rate of 345.5.

The list also includes big names like Quinton de Kock, Rohit Sharma and Darren Sammy, but Salman Ali Agha left everyone behind.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending