The Houston Texans are three days removed from their big wild card round win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night, and I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am still buzzing from the victory. If history tells us anything about the Texans in the playoffs, it’s that we better squeeze maximum enjoyment out of that win, because doom and destruction is lurking in the divisional round this weekend.
We will discuss that divisional round game Against the New England Patriots more tomorrow. I actually think the Texans are going to fare well in Foxboro this weekend. For now, though, let’s take one more bite at the apple, and enjoy four fun facts from Monday’s 30-6 win over the Steelers.
4. The Texans’ defense is the first since 1950 to score two touchdowns and allow 175 yards or less in a playoff game
I love having my team as part of any “fun fact” that last happened in the aftermath of World War II. You know when it’s a record that’s older than most grandparents out there, it’s something special. Here’s to the Texans doing it again this postseason!
3. Sheldon Rankins is the first defensive tackle in NFL playoff history to record a touchdown and at least one sack in the same game
The defensive touchdowns by the Texans in the wild card round under DeMeco Ryans are one of the most astounding, “under the radar” occurrences in recent NFL playoff history. To that end, did you know that, in three wild card round games, DeMeco Ryans’ defenses have scored more touchdowns (five) than they’ve allowed (three)? Amazing!
2. C.J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans are the first quarterback/head coach combination in NFL history to win by 20-plus points in their first three wild card round games together
C.J. Stroud has been catching a ton of heat this week for his three turnovers in Monday’s win. These weren’t your normal turnovers either. They were awful fumbles and a horrific decision on an interception. If the defense hadn’t bailed the Texans out, we’d be having some serious “hot takes” going on about Stroud’s future. Instead, though, we can revel in Stroud’s success in the playoffs, thus far, from a wins and losses standpoint. He’s just 24 years old, and he’s won more playoff games than Dak Prescott’s won for Dallas since 2016.
1. Christian Kirk, after one week, leads the NFL playoffs in receiving yards
If you’d told me a Texans receiver would lead the playoffs in receiving yards after one week, I would have totally believed you. I just would not have believed it would be Kirk, whose 144 yards on eight catches were crucial to the Texans’ victory on Monday night. The Texans will need another big performance out of Kirk on Sunday, as Nico Collins is likely to miss the game with a concussion.
This article appears in Private: Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2026.