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Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Week Wildcard Round Tips & Predictions - Defence & Fairburn’s foot is the winning recipe

jeremy-darke
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Last updated: Fri 09 Jan 2026 09:51

The Houston Texans are poised to move past the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL Week Wildcard, thanks to their formidable defense. Entering the playoffs on a nine-game winning streak, the Texans boast a top-ranked defense and reliable kicker in Ka'imi Fairbairn. They limited opponents to just 17.2 points per game this season and have the momentum to emerge victorious. The game is expected to be low-scoring with limited touchdowns, as the Texans leverage their defensive strength against the Steelers.

Jeremy Darke 09 Jan 2026
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  • Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers Expert NFL Tips for Week Wildcard Round
  • Kick Off is at 12:00 PM AEDT at Acrisure Stadium
  • Houston Texans on a 9-game winning streak, boast top-ranked defence.
  • Key players: Ka'imi Fairbairn (kicker) & Jayden Higgins (TD scorer).
Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Week Wildcard Round Tips

Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Week Wildcard Round Tips & Predictions


All of Aaron Rodgers' experience won’t be enough to unlock the league’s best defence and the Houston Texans will progress to the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

The Steelers come into this match as 3-point underdogs at home and rightfully so as they face the daunting task of trying to break down the Demarco Ryan and the Houston defence that has them heading into the playoffs on the longest winning streak of any team in the postseason. 

The topped ranked defence and the best field goal kicker in the league has been the remedy for success in Houston and it will be enough to get past Pittsburgh and any hoodoo that might be on the goal posts at Acrisure Stadium.

Two modest offence and one top defence will ensure that this match stays under the low total of 38.5 points and we will see Ka'imi Fairbairn in action kicking more than 7.5 points in the match.

Touchdowns will be rare in Pittsburgh but I like the value of Jayden Higgins as an anytime TD and even first TD scorer. He has just 4 endzone catches in his last 10 games, but all have been the first. 

  • Houston has won 9 straight games.
  • The Texans allow just 17.2 points per game this season
  • Ka'imi Fairbairn has tallied over 7.5 kicking points in 7 straight matches for the Texans.
  • Jayden Higgins has scored the first touchdown in the last two games for the Texans.

Head to Head Record


All Time Record
Pittsburgh Steelers lead all-time series 5-3.

Most Recent Matchup
DateResult
Oct 1, 2023
PIT 6, @HOU 30

Statistical Rankings
StatHOUPIT
Points Scored/Game23.8 (13th)23.4 (15th)
Points Allowed/Game17.4 (2nd)22.8 (17th)
Pass Yds/Game218 (14th)202 (22nd)
Rush Yds/Game108 (22nd)103 (26th)
Def. Pass Yds/Game183 (6th)243 (29th)
Def. Rush Yds/Game93 (4th)113 (13th)

Houston Texans Form


The Texans come into the NFL playoffs as the hottest team in the competition, winning 9 straight games, however, it wasn’t enough to clinch the AFC South with Jacksonville also going on a 7-0 run to close out the year. 

C.J Stroud has matured this season behind centre, protecting the ball well enough with 8 interceptions all season and a QBR of 62.4 which is in the top echelon of QBs in the league. 

The Texans story is all about defence though, ranked 2nd in the NFL in opposition points (17.4/G), first in opposition total yards (277.2/G) and third in takeaways (29). 

The strategy is simple, don’t turn the ball over, give it back inside the 20m and get the ball far enough down the field that Ka'imi Fairbairn, who leads the league with 48 FGA and also 44 FGM, can kick a field goal.


eam Table
TeamRecordATSO/UAwayHome
Houston logo HOU12-5-09-8-06-11-05-3-07-2-0

Pittsburgh Steelers Form


Who would have thought that the footage of a Steelers priest blessing the endzone would have so much significance after their do or die match against the Ravens, but here we are. The same blessed endzone was right where Ravens rookie kicker missed from 40 out to hand Pittsburgh the AFC North title with a 26-24 victory.

Look, luck was on their side there, however, Mike Tomlin had another winning season as coach of the Steelers, winning 4 of their last 5 matches to sneak in in the final game of the regular season.

Aaron Rodgers has been ok, without being great and the same can be said for the rest of the Pittsburgh team. That being said, they won 10 games and that has to count for something. Do they have enough to win their first playoff game in 9 years, I don’t think so.


am Table
TeamRecordATSO/UAwayHome
Pittsburgh logo PIT10-7-09-8-09-8-04-4-06-3-0

Houston Texans vs Pittsburgh Steelers Frequently Asked Questions

What time does Houston Texans vs Pittsburgh Steelers start?

Kickoff between Houston Texans vs Pittsburgh Steelers is at 12:00 PM AEDT, Tuesday

What channel is Houston Texans vs Pittsburgh Steelers on?

You can watch Houston Texans vs Pittsburgh Steelers on DAZN

Verdict

Ka'imi Fairbairn will kick more than 7.5 points in the match in another low-scoring contest that the Texans come out on top. Jayden Higgins is the value touchdown pick.
Best Bet1: Houston Texans Money Line $1.64 at Pandabet - 4 Units
Best Bet2: Under 38.5 Game Total $1.91 at Elitebet - 3 Units
Best Bet3: K.Fairbairn Over 7.5 Kicking Points $1.74 at betr - 2 Units
Best Bet4: Jayden Higgins Anytime Touchdown $4.75 at dabble - 2 Units
Houston Texans
Money Line
$1.64 - 4 Units
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K.Fairbairn Over 7.5
Kicking Points
$1.74 - 2 Units
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