Following an incredible regular-season finale against division rival Baltimore Ravens, which ultimately determined the outcome of the AFC North division title, the Pittsburgh Steelers will face another tough challenge heading into the NFL playoffs.
The Steelers will host the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium on Monday night, with Aaron Rodgers and company needing to figure out how to get their offense going against one of the best defenses in the league.
Aaron Rodgers’ Thoughts on Facing a Tough Texans Defense
GettyAaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers
Ahead of this playoff matchup on Monday night in Pittsburgh, Rodgers was asked about facing the stout Texans defense.
“They’ve got a really good D-line,” Rodgers said of the Texans’ defense. “They’ve got multiple guys with 10-plus sacks. I’ve gone against [Danielle] Hunter for a lot of my career. I have a ton of respect for him. He’s a phenomenal player.
“And Will [Anderson], I saw him in New York the last couple of years, and he just gets better every single year. He’s a high-energy, high-effort guy who’s got a lot of new pass moves to his repertoire the last couple of years, and starts with trying to slow those guys down a little bit.”
Although the Steelers will be the home team in this playoff game, the Texans are currently favored (-3) to win on the road in Pittsburgh.
The Texans head into this matchup with the Steelers, having won nine games in a row, but are coming off a game in which they gave up their most points to an opponent this season, as the Indianapolis offense scored 30 points against Houston’s defense.
Steelers’ Adam Thielen Opens Up on Playing With Aaron Rodgers
GettyAdam Thielen #16 of the Pittsburgh Steelers
As Rodgers potentially approaches the end of his NFL career, as he could be playing in his last game on Monday, veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen, who may also be playing his last game in the league, reflected on what it has been like catching passes from the four-time NFL MVP.
“You have a certain perception of someone from afar, right? I was never in the huddle a lot, but I played against him a lot, was able to get to know him a little bit off the field, playing golf together a bunch, but when you are in the huddle, you start to understand why someone’s great, what they do week in and week out, the things that people don’t see during the week,” Thielen said of Rodgers. “You just show up on Sundays and have success, right? It’s the things he does through the week that really impress me and really show me why he’s been so good for so long.
“His attention to detail, his communication. His process is elite and he is who he is.”
Clearly, Rodgers has made an impact on Thielen, and the two will hope to connect again during Monday’s game against the Texans in hopes of advancing to the Division Round of the playoffs.
Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers Sends Strong Message on Texans Defense Before Wild Card Game