Texans Dominate Steelers, Advance to AFC Championship Showdown with Raiders

HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Texans punched their ticket back to the AFC Championship game with a commanding 38-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium. Head coach Sean Nguyen's squad seized control early and never let up, setting the stage for a rematch with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Game Recap

The Texans set the tone on the game's first play when Paulson Adebo jumped a slant route and raced 88 yards for a pick-six. "We talked all week about getting off to a fast start, and that's exactly what Paulson did for us," said Sean Nguyen.

Offensively, Geno Smith was in complete command. He completed 18 of 22 passes for 218 yards and three touchdowns, including a 32-yard strike to Glenn Wimbley in the second quarter and a 25-yard laser to Nico Collins in the third.

Smith also found Tank Dell for a 3-yard touchdown pass in the fourth and capped off his day with an 8-yard rushing touchdown. "Geno was lights out today," said Collins. "He spread the ball around and kept their defense guessing all game long."

The Steelers found some life in the third quarter when Jaylen Warren ripped off an 89-yard touchdown run, but it wasn't enough. Pittsburgh quarterback Paul Hayes struggled, throwing three interceptions and completing only 15 of 36 passes for 200 yards.

Key Stats

Smith's efficient day saw him post a 147.5 passer rating, while Wimbley led the Texans' ground attack with 111 rushing yards on 20 carries. Adebo finished with two interceptions and a touchdown. Collins had 76 yards receiving, while Wimbley added 68 receiving yards. Will Anderson Jr. chipped in with the Texans' only sack.

The Steelers' Warren totaled 154 rushing yards on 13 carries, but turnovers and a sputtering passing attack doomed their chances. Mike Tomlin's squad will look for answers in the offseason.

Up Next

The Texans advance to the AFC Championship for the third straight year, setting up a rematch with the Las Vegas Raiders. "We're excited for the challenge," said Nguyen. "We know it's going to be a battle, but we're ready to embrace it."