The NFL postseason is officially in full swing following an eventful Wild Card weekend that set the stage for the upcoming Divisional round. Football fans witnessed four intense matchups that ultimately shaped the playoff bracket, culminating in a decisive Monday night showdown that brought the opening round to a close. As the league transitions to the next phase of its championship hunt, many supporters are wondering about the immediate schedule and when they can expect to see their favorite teams back in action.
Monday Night's Decisive Showdown
The final game of the Wild Card round featured a compelling AFC matchup between the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers, broadcast nationally on ESPN and ABC. The contest, which took place at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, delivered a surprisingly one-sided result that few analysts had predicted. The visiting Texans delivered a masterful performance on both sides of the ball, systematically dismantling the home team en route to a commanding 30-6 victory.
This lopsided scoreline not only ended the Steelers' postseason run but also potentially marked the conclusion of a significant chapter in NFL history. The defeat sent shockwaves through the Pittsburgh organization and its passionate fanbase, raising difficult questions about the team's direction and the futures of several key figures associated with the franchise.
A Legend's Uncertain Future
Perhaps the most poignant storyline emerging from Monday night's game centers on Aaron Rodgers, the veteran quarterback who may have taken his final professional snaps. At 42 years old, Rodgers completed his inaugural season with the Steelers after an illustrious 18-year tenure with the Green Bay Packers and a brief two-year stint with the New York Jets. The devastating loss to Houston, in which the offense struggled to find any rhythm, has intensified speculation about whether the four-time MVP will return for another season or announce his retirement.
Rodgers' performance throughout the 2025 campaign showed flashes of his legendary capabilities, but also revealed the physical limitations that come with age and multiple injuries. The Monday night defeat, where the Steelers' offense managed just six points, provided a stark reminder of the challenges facing aging superstars in a young man's game. While Rodgers has not made any official announcements regarding his future, the emotional weight of the postgame atmosphere suggested that he was contemplating the end of his remarkable journey.
Coaching Controversy in Pittsburgh
The frustration among Steelers supporters reached a boiling point during the fourth quarter of Monday's blowout loss. Chants of "Fire Tomlin" echoed throughout Acrisure Stadium, directed at longtime head coach Mike Tomlin, who has been at the helm since 2007. The public display of dissatisfaction reflects a growing sentiment among a segment of the fanbase that believes the team has underachieved in recent years.
The statistics paint a challenging picture for Tomlin's tenure. Monday's defeat marked a historic low point, as he became the first head coach in the storied franchise's history to endure nine consecutive seasons without a playoff victory. Despite never experiencing a losing season throughout his career—a remarkable achievement in the parity-driven NFL—the inability to advance in the postseason has created mounting pressure on the respected coach.
The Steelers organization has maintained silence regarding Tomlin's job security, but the vocal criticism from fans has undoubtedly created an uncomfortable situation for one of the league's most stable franchises. The coming weeks will be crucial as team management evaluates the entire operation and determines the best path forward.
Tonight's Schedule: A Football-Free Evening
For those hoping to catch an NFL game this evening, Tuesday, January 13, 2026, will be a disappointment. There are no NFL games scheduled for tonight, as the league has built in a brief respite between the Wild Card and Divisional rounds. This scheduling gap allows teams to rest and prepare for the upcoming weekend while giving fans a moment to digest the results from the opening round.
The absence of professional football extends to the college ranks as well. No college football games are slated for this evening, with the next significant matchup being the Miami-Indiana championship game scheduled for January 19. This creates a rare midweek void for football enthusiasts who have grown accustomed to the constant stream of games during the regular season.
How to Watch Monday's Action
If you missed the Texans-Steelers showdown or want to relive the key moments, several viewing options remain available. The game aired live on ESPN and ABC, but fans can access replays and highlights through multiple streaming platforms. ESPN+ subscribers can watch the full broadcast on demand, while NFL+ offers comprehensive coverage for dedicated followers of the league.
Additionally, the game is accessible through Disney+, which includes ESPN content in certain subscription tiers, as well as the Disney/Hulu bundle that provides extensive sports coverage. For those seeking alternative streaming services, platforms like Fubo, Sling, DIRECTV Stream, and YouTube TV all offer access to ABC and ESPN content, with many providing free trial periods that allow fans to watch without immediate cost.
Divisional Round: The Next Chapter
The NFL playoff action resumes this coming weekend with the highly anticipated Divisional round, featuring four compelling matchups that will determine the conference championship participants. The schedule is set for Saturday, January 17, and Sunday, January 18, 2026, with the top seeds returning to action after earning first-round byes.
The Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos, who secured the number one seeds in their respective conferences, will finally take the field after a weekend of rest and preparation. Their opponents will be the lowest remaining seeds from the Wild Card round, setting up potentially intriguing David versus Goliath scenarios that have become a hallmark of NFL postseason lore.
The Divisional round games will be broadcast across multiple networks, including Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN, and ABC, ensuring that fans have widespread access to all the action. This diverse broadcasting arrangement allows the league to maximize viewership while providing different announcing teams and production styles that cater to various audience preferences.
The Road to Super Bowl 60
With each passing game, the journey toward Super Bowl 60 becomes more defined. The Divisional round represents a critical juncture where championship aspirations either flourish or fade. Teams that advance will move one step closer to the ultimate prize, while those that fall short will face difficult offseason questions about roster construction, coaching decisions, and salary cap management.
The playoff bracket, now fully formed after Monday night's result, reveals several potential storylines that could captivate the nation over the next three weeks. Will a top seed assert its dominance? Can a Wild Card team continue its Cinderella run? These questions will be answered on the field in what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the 2025 NFL season.
Streaming and Viewing Flexibility
Modern football fans enjoy unprecedented access to games through various digital platforms. The shift toward streaming has revolutionized how audiences consume NFL content, particularly for cord-cutters who have abandoned traditional cable packages. Services like Fubo have positioned themselves as leaders in sports streaming, offering comprehensive packages that include all major networks broadcasting NFL games.
This accessibility ensures that even during brief lulls in the schedule, fans can revisit classic games, watch condensed replays, or enjoy analytical programming that breaks down the intricacies of playoff football. The ability to watch on multiple devices—from smart TVs to mobile phones—has created a more flexible viewing experience that accommodates busy lifestyles.
Final Thoughts
As the NFL pauses briefly before the Divisional round, the football world remains abuzz with speculation and analysis. The conclusion of the Wild Card round has left an indelible mark on the postseason landscape, particularly in Pittsburgh, where an era may be ending. While tonight offers no live games to watch, the anticipation builds for a weekend that will feature the league's elite teams battling for conference supremacy.
The beauty of the NFL playoffs lies in their unpredictability and the high stakes accompanying each possession. As teams prepare for the upcoming challenges, fans can use this midweek break to study matchups, debate predictions, and appreciate the drama that makes professional football America's most popular sport. The road to Super Bowl 60 continues this weekend, promising more unforgettable moments and potentially history-making performances.