The Pittsburgh Steelers clinched a wild card spot with a dramatic Week 18 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, setting up a first-round playoff clash against the Houston Texans on Monday night. Former NFL running back LeSean McCoy has placed a $50,000 bet against the Steelers, calling the outcome a 'layup' due to Pittsburgh's postseason struggles. The Texans, boasting the league's top defense and a nine-game winning streak, enter as 3-point favorites.
The Pittsburgh Steelers ended a tense regular season by defeating the Baltimore Ravens 20-17 in Week 18, securing their first playoff appearance since 2023. The win came down to the wire, with the Ravens missing a game-winning field goal attempt, allowing Pittsburgh to advance despite a rollercoaster performance. Steelers running back Jaylen Warren shone, forcing 12 missed tackles from Baltimore's defense, while the Pittsburgh defense limited opponents to seven missed tackles overall in the game.
Now, the Steelers face the Houston Texans in the AFC wild card round on January 12, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET in Pittsburgh. The Texans finished the season 12-5, winners of their last nine games, and possess the NFL's best defense, posing a significant challenge for Pittsburgh's inconsistent offense led by Aaron Rodgers. Houston has never won a road playoff game since entering the league in 2002, but their current form suggests confidence.
LeSean McCoy, speaking on his Speakeasy podcast, expressed strong doubts about the Steelers. "I’m betting $50,000 against them this next game, though… That’s a layup. That’s really called taking candy from a baby," McCoy said. He criticized Pittsburgh's effort against the Ravens, claiming Baltimore was the superior team despite the loss: "Watching the Steelers play today, it hurt watching that. Lamar [Jackson] and them, it looked like it was effortless."
Pittsburgh counters with home-field advantages, including an unbeaten streak in Monday night home games since 1991 under coach Mike Tomlin. Betting lines list the Texans as 3-point favorites, with an over/under of 39.5 points. Analysts note the Steelers' tackling improvements in recent weeks, missing just seven tackles against Baltimore after struggling earlier in the season. However, McCoy's skepticism highlights Pittsburgh's lack of a playoff win since 2016, making this matchup a test of resilience against a surging Houston squad.
