Overview
- Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium on ABC and ESPN, with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on the call, a ManningCast on ESPN2, and streaming on ESPN Unlimited/Select, Fubo and NFL+ (mobile).
- Houston closed 12-5 with nine straight wins and the NFL’s top defense by EPA per play, positioning the No. 5 seed as the road favorite.
- Pittsburgh won the AFC North at 10-7 and hosts behind Aaron Rodgers, with DK Metcalf back from suspension and T. J. Watt active.
- Key injuries include Texans running back Jawhar Jordan ruled out and Steelers defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk out.
- Sportsbooks list Houston around -3 with a total near 38–38.5, most expert panels lean Texans, and some projection models rate the matchup close to a coin flip in win probability.