Call them the worst of the seven teams record-wise in the AFC playoffs, but Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans isn’t sleeping on the Pittsburgh Steelers entering wild-card round weekend.

“They’re a well-coached, physical outfit,” Ryans said Monday. “They’re going to play tough. It was cool to see how they won that game last night. Pure will, determination, found a way to win. Had things go their way. 

“Defense has always played tough. So, we’re excited about the opportunity.”

Known for the Steel Curtain defense, it was the offense on Sunday night that secured a 10-win season for Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin’s roster. Rodgers, a four-time MVP looking to end his career with one last postseason run, led two scoring drives in the fourth quarter, including finding Calvin Austin for a 26-yard score with 55 seconds remaining.

“He’s done at a high level for a long time because he’s probably one of the smartest quarterbacks to play the game,” Ryans said of Rodgers. “He does a really good job understanding defenses really well.” 

The former Packers and Jets starter has had his way with Houston throughout his 20-plus-year career. In five games, he’s won four, posting a 17-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio while averaging 278.7 yards per game. He also helped the Steelers clinch a division title for the first time since 2020.

Entering Year 19, Mike Tomlin’s regular-season winning record remains intact. While the defense isn’t as potent as in years past, it still remains a force in the pass rush, largely due to the consistency of Alex Highsmith, Cam Heyward and former Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt.

That type of winning means something to Ryans, who will look to defeat Tomlin for the first time Texans’ postseason history.

 “He’s done it, he’s stuck around at one place,” Ryans said of Tomlin. “Probably the longest-tenured head coach right now in the NFL for a reason because he knows how to win.

“He’s a guy who I’ve definitely always looked up to, always respected. He always has his teams ready to go.” 

Kickoff on ESPN is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at Acrisure Stadium. Houston, which enters Monday as a 3-point favorite, should feel confident since its 5-3 in away games this season, with its last loss coming in Week 7 against the Seattle Seahawks.