Boswell’s late kick lifts Steelers past Texans 28-26 in Sunday Night Primetime thriller

PITTSBURGH, PA - Brandin Echols blocked an extra-point attempt and returned the recovery for a stunning two-point special-teams score, and Chris Boswell drilled a 49-yard field goal with 52 seconds remaining as the Pittsburgh Steelers stunned the Houston Texans 28-26 in a wild Week 13 Sunday Night Primetime showdown.

Rico Dowdle rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown, Jaylen Warren added 93 yards and another score, and Pittsburgh leaned on a punishing ground attack to pull off one of its most significant victories of the season. The Steelers entered the night at 4-7, facing a Houston squad that arrived at 9-2.

By the time the final seconds disappeared, Pittsburgh had extended its winning streak to three games, while Houston was left searching for answers after its second consecutive defeat.

With Pittsburgh trailing 26-23 following C.J. Stroud’s 37-yard touchdown pass to Kayshon Boutte with 6:05 remaining, Houston lined up for an extra point that would have extended its advantage to four. Instead, Echols blocked the kick, recovered the football and raced the other way for two points, cutting the deficit to 26-25.

The extraordinary special-teams play transformed Pittsburgh’s final offensive possession. Rather than needing a touchdown, the Steelers needed only a field goal.

Boswell delivered from 49 yards with 52 seconds left, completing one of the season’s most dramatic fourth-quarter reversals and giving Pittsburgh its third consecutive victory.

A Sunday Night Finish Worth Remembering

Pittsburgh carried a 23-20 advantage into the fourth quarter, but Houston refused to go quietly. Stroud’s touchdown pass to Boutte briefly put the Texans in position to take control of the game.

What followed was the kind of special-teams reversal that can define an entire season. Echols’ two-point return transformed Pittsburgh’s final drive from a desperate search for a touchdown into an opportunity for Boswell to win the game with his leg.

The veteran kicker delivered, but Houston still had 52 seconds to answer.

Houston’s final possession featured a 10-yard completion to Woody Marks and a nine-yard connection with Boutte. With the clock winding down, however, the passing attack couldn’t produce the decisive play. Stroud’s final attempts fell incomplete, including a third-and-10 throw intended for Jaylin Noel with two seconds remaining.

For the Steelers, it was a finish that demanded composure after an evening of momentum swings.

“Those are the situations you prepare for,” Boswell said. “Everybody knows what’s at stake when you step onto the field that late in a game. You have to trust your preparation, make your kick and give your team a chance to finish it.”

The narrow escape gave Pittsburgh its third straight victory and handed Houston another painful setback in an increasingly competitive AFC race.

Dowdle and Warren Punish Houston on the Ground

While the final minute belonged to Boswell, the foundation of Pittsburgh’s upset was built by its running backs.

Dowdle carried 20 times for 136 yards and a touchdown, averaging 6.8 yards per attempt. Warren added 93 yards and a score on 16 carries, helping Pittsburgh pile up an imposing 234 rushing yards.

Together, the duo accounted for 229 yards and both Steelers rushing touchdowns.

Their production allowed Pittsburgh to sustain drives, keep Houston’s defense on the field and control stretches of a game in which the Steelers could not consistently rely on their passing attack.

“We knew we had to be physical tonight,” Dowdle said. “Houston came in with a great record, but we weren’t worried about what they’d done before this game. We wanted to establish our identity, keep moving the chains and make them deal with us for four quarters.”

The Steelers finished with 397 yards of offense and 20 first downs, compared with Houston’s 232 offensive yards and 11 first downs.

Pittsburgh also dominated the third-down battle, converting seven of 17 opportunities while holding the Texans to just one conversion in 11 attempts.

That disparity helped explain how the Steelers survived despite losing the turnover battle.

Aaron Rodgers endured an uneven night, completing 17 of 30 passes for 175 yards with two interceptions and a 45.8 passer rating. Michael Pittman led Pittsburgh with six receptions for 64 yards, while DK Metcalf added 59 yards on two catches.

The Steelers’ rushing attack repeatedly compensated for their passing-game difficulties, giving Pittsburgh enough production to remain within striking distance throughout the night.

Stroud’s Comeback Falls Painfully Short

For Houston, the final result was particularly difficult because Stroud delivered several of the game’s biggest offensive moments.

The Texans quarterback completed 17 of 27 passes for 219 yards and two touchdowns, finishing with a 113.0 passer rating.

Tank Dell led Houston with 84 receiving yards and a touchdown on four receptions, including a 63-yard scoring strike in the third quarter. Boutte added four catches for 67 yards and the fourth-quarter touchdown that nearly helped Houston steal the victory.

The Texans also produced a major early defensive highlight when an interception was returned 42 yards for a first-quarter touchdown, giving Houston a critical boost in a game where its conventional rushing attack struggled.

Yet the Texans never established consistent offensive balance.

Houston managed only 34 rushing yards, while Pittsburgh recorded three sacks and repeatedly disrupted drives at critical moments. The Texans converted just one third down all night, forcing Stroud to manufacture much of the offense through isolated explosive plays.

“We fought to get ourselves back into position, and that’s what makes this one hurt,” Stroud said. “We had an opportunity late. In a game this close, every missed chance matters. We have to find ways to finish those drives.”

Houston’s defensive effort included two interceptions and two sacks, with Derek Stingley Jr. recording a pick and a 30-yard return. But Pittsburgh’s sustained rushing production ultimately proved too much to overcome.

For the Steelers, Sunday Night Primetime delivered a statement victory that could change the direction of their season. A team that had been 4-7 is suddenly riding three consecutive wins, with renewed belief and a physical offensive identity.

For the Texans, the road ahead became more complicated. At 9-3, Houston remains a formidable opponent, but consecutive defeats have exposed areas that need immediate attention.

On a night when Pittsburgh’s running backs controlled the ground, it was Echols’ extraordinary special-teams return and Boswell’s clutch kick that ultimately decided one of the season’s most dramatic Sunday Night Primetime finishes.

Up Next

The Pittsburgh Steelers (5-7) will attempt to extend their three-game winning streak when they travel to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14.

The Houston Texans (9-3) will look to recover from consecutive losses when they visit the Washington Commanders in Week 14.