The Athletic Football Show: Texans Defense Rolls Over Steelers, Leads Team to Divisional Round

Date: January 13, 2026
Host: Robert Mays
Co-Hosts: Derrik Klassen, Dave Helman

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the Houston Texans’ dominant defensive display in their playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The hosts analyze how the Texans overwhelmed Pittsburgh, dissect the Texans’ surprising offensive showing (despite several miscues from CJ Stroud), and debate what the result means for both teams’ playoff futures. They also turn their focus to the Steelers’ offseason, raising big questions about Mike Tomlin’s future, the quarterback conundrum, and the realistic path forward for Pittsburgh.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Texans Defensive Masterclass

• Sheer Dominance:
  The Texans’ defense put on "one of the most significant and thorough ass kickings I have ever seen from one defense on one side of the ball in an NFL game since I started paying attention to the sport." — Robert Mays (03:57)
• Historical Context:
  • 3.1 yards per play allowed (second-best by a playoff defense in the past decade).
  • 72.4% success rate (fourth-best).
  • 0.51 EPA per play (best in a playoff game in ten years).
    “This was truly an all-time playoff performance.” — Dave Helman (04:08)
• Steelers Passing Futility:
  Aaron Rodgers—19.4% passing success rate, among the three worst QB playoff performances by this metric all season. “This is a playoff football game. And that is what the Houston Texans defense did to Aaron Rodgers and this offense. They snuffed them out. It was incredible to watch.” — Robert Mays (04:31)

Notable Defensive Sequences

• After rare Steelers big plays, the Texans immediately responded:

  • "I imagine the Texans defenders like cracking their necks like, 'Okay, yeah, you're gonna have an explosive on us? Let's see how this goes.'" — Derek Klassen (08:33)
  • Aziz Al-Shaair’s tight coverage and a subsequent hit on Rodgers after a strip sack touchdown (09:12-09:54).

• Steelers faced nine third-and-10+ situations. “You can’t live like that against anybody. You especially cannot live that way against Will Anderson Jr. and Daniel Hunter.” — Dave Helman (11:23)

Memorable Quote

“They've taken the idea of 'you have to hate every offense' to like include their own if they needed to.”
— Dave Helman (09:12)

2. Texans’ Offensive Positives (and CJ Stroud’s Wobbles)

• Running Game Breakout:
  • 48% rushing success rate—Texans’ second-best this year, and second-best rushing performance in playoffs by any team.
  • “If I was a Houston fan... we have a reasonable chance of getting to 17, which means we have a reasonable chance of beating anybody in the league.” — Derek Klassen (06:02)
• Stroud’s Wild Swings:
  • Multiple “mind-boggling” decisions, including red zone turnovers and a “disgusting interception” (12:31).
  • Still delivered several “laser beams” over the middle, including a clutch third-and-15 throw to Christian Kirk (06:59).
  • “We saw the worst game CJ Stroud is going to play in the playoffs.” — Robert Mays (19:26)
• Nico Collins Concern:
  • Left the game hurt—potentially significant for the next round.

Notable Moment

“It’s frustrating how good C.J. Stroud can look. And then just a couple times a game, something wild’s gonna happen.”
— Derek Klassen (20:24)

3. How Far Can This Texans Team Go?

• Super Bowl Contender?

  • Acknowledgment that defensive dominance can be a playoff equalizer, especially in a year where few teams have standout offenses.
  • Hosts split between optimism about Houston’s ceiling and skepticism about their ability to avoid offensive letdowns three straight weeks:
    • “In a one off, I think the Texans could beat every single team left in the field…But over the course of three weeks, getting a good enough performance from the offense three times in a row…I wouldn’t bet on it.” — Derek Klassen (14:44)

• Matchup with Patriots:

  • Texans are three-point underdogs. Hosts feel Houston's offense will be tested by New England’s defense, which surprised with strong play against the Chargers.
    • “The Patriots defense…should have opened eyes to anybody that was watching them play that game.” — Derek Klassen (16:15)

Notable Quote

“If the quarterback did not lose his mind three different times in this game, how would we be feeling about the Texans right now?”
— Robert Mays (06:33)
“We’d be like, oh, that team’s going to the Super Bowl.”
— Dave Helman (06:40)

4. Steelers Offseason: The Big Reset?

• The Tomlin Question:

  • Debate over whether it’s the right time for a “mutual parting” (27:08) as Steelers face an aging roster and a lack of a franchise QB.
  • “I think it’s kind of a natural end for it all…there is a chapter closing for this team in this moment.” — Robert Mays (25:34)
  • Tomlin’s massive respect in the league; if let go, “he would get every single call from every single team.” — Dave Helman (27:04)

• Roster & QB Conundrum:

  • Steelers have five top-100 picks, but no clear quarterback plan.
  • Continuous playoff berths keep them picking outside the top 10—“play your way out of range to answer long term questions like who’s going to be your quarterback? That was frustrating three years ago and now it’s 2026.” — Derek Klassen (28:29)

• Should the Steelers do a Hard Reset?

  • Will they consider trading stars like TJ Watt to accumulate resources for a proper rebuild?
  • “If you’re never going to be that caliber of team…you have to revisit what your plan is to become that caliber of team.” — Robert Mays (30:34)
  • On the organization’s risk aversion: “Because they’re the Steelers, they don’t operate the same way as everybody else. They’re way more patient…even if they shouldn’t.” — Derek Klassen (36:19)

Notable Quote

“The goal is not to be a 9 and 8, 10 and 7 team with no chance of winning a championship every single year. That's not the goal.”
— Robert Mays (29:27)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dave Helman on the Texans defense:

  “If it's going to be that close and that gross, it better be because one defense is thoroughly kicking the shit out of the other team.” (03:31)

• Robert Mays on the Will Anderson/Rankins touchdown:

  “That is among the most...you defensive touchdowns I think I've ever seen in an NFL game.” (08:00)

• On Pittsburgh's existential stasis:

  “It’s very cool that you keep having a winning record, but when this is what you look like in the playoffs and you play your way out of range to answer long term questions…that was frustrating three years ago and now it’s 2026.” — Derek Klassen (28:29)

Important Timestamps

• Texans’ Defensive Dominance – 02:25 to 06:59
• Texans’ offensive wrinkles and Stroud’s wild ride – 06:59 to 12:31
• Texans as Super Bowl contender? – 13:43 to 16:39
• Patriots next; Defensive matchup talk – 15:37 to 16:39
• Texans’ run-game design analysis – 17:46 to 18:56
• Nico Collins injury & key WR play – 20:05 to 20:39
• Steelers’ season/postseason reset, Tomlin future – 24:45 to 36:40
• Closing thoughts on Steelers’ philosophy – 36:19 to 36:40

Tone & Style

• Energetic, geeky, and at times irreverent—full of laughter at the Texans’ overwhelming dominance and honest about the pitfalls for both teams.
• Willing to veer into existential "big picture" NFL talk about what it takes to contend versus settling for playoff mediocrity.

Summary for the Uninitiated

This episode is a “must-listen” if you want to understand how the Houston Texans not only beat the Steelers, but did so in a manner that may reshape expectations for their playoff run—with eye-popping statistical context and lively debate about whether their defense can carry them farther. It also offers a candid (and somewhat somber) post-mortem for the Steelers and a sharp critique of organizational inertia versus real contenders’ moves. Plenty of smart football talk, big-picture perspective, and fun banter throughout.