The opening round of the NFL playoffs concludes with a prime-time matchup between the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers.
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This wild-card round matchup will determine which team advances to the divisional round and which team heads into the offseason. Here are the broadcast details, the weather forecast, and what else is at stake.
Texas vs Steelers broadcast info
The playoff game will take place at 8:15 p.m. ET. ESPN and ABC will provide coverage as the 12-5 Texans visit the 10-7 Steelers. This means that Joe Buck will perform play-by-play while Troy Aikman serves as an analyst. The longtime sports broadcaster also features Laura Rutledge and Lisa Salters as the sideline reporters this season.
Those wanting to watch an alternate broadcast will have access to the "ManningCast" on ESPN 2. This program, hosted by Peyton and Eli Manning, will feature special guests familiar with both teams. Former Texans defender JJ Watt and former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will both make appearances on the broadcast.
Weather forecast
Heading into the weekend, it appeared that snow would have an effect on the playoff game. However, the WeatherUnderground forecast tells a different tale. It calls for clear skies and temperatures just above freezing at kickoff. The chance of precipitation is a mere 2%.
What's at stake
Obviously, a spot in the divisional round of the playoffs is the biggest thing at stake. The winner of this game will head to New England to face the Patriots.
For Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Monday night's game presents his first opportunity to win a playoff game since the 2021 divisional round. He and the Packers lost to the 49ers. Rodgers is 12-10 overall in the playoffs with one Super Bowl win.
Texans quarterback CJ Stroud will make his fifth playoff start. He is 2-2 overall with a wild card win in each of his first two seasons. If he wins on Monday night, he will join Joe Flacco, Otto Graham, and Russell Wilson on the list of quarterbacks to win at least one playoff game in the first three seasons of a career.
While the Steelers have won six Super Bowls, the Texans have never come close to the Big Game. The AFC South team has never advanced beyond the divisional round in eight playoff appearances.
Series history
The Steelers and Texans do not have an extensive history. These two teams have only played eight times since the 2002 season, and they have never faced off in the playoffs.
The Steelers lead the series with five wins (2005, 2008, 2014, 2017, 2020). The Texans won the first matchup in 2002. The AFC South team then won again in 2011. The Texans also won the most recent matchup, which occurred in 2023.
