Jan. 11, 2026, 12:09 p.m. CT
The Houston Texans are looking to make history on Monday night when they travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers in the wild-card round.
The reason it would be history? Houston’s never played a wild-card round game outside of NRG Stadium. And a win would mark the first victory away from home in franchise history.
The Texans’ wild-card round game will air on ESPN at 7 p.m. CT on Monday night. According to BETMGM, the Texans open as a 3.5-point favorite over the Colts, with the over/under set at 41.
Sitting at 12-5 following a 38-30 win over the Indianapolis Colts, the Texans are in great shape for a potential third straight wild-card round win. The Texans are also on the league’s longest winning streak, rattling off nine straight to close out the campaign.
As for the Steelers, they’re looking to finally win a playoff game for the first time since 2016. Aaron Rodgers hasn’t thrown an interception since early November, while the team closed out the regular season winning five of their last six games, including a 28-26 win over the Ravens to clinch a division title on Sunday Night Football.
Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.
Who are the experts riding with between the Steelers and Texans? Let’s take a look and see which team is expected to win on Monday night at Acrisure Stadium.
Cole Thompson: Texans