4 ways the Steelers made playoff history in the worst way on Monday night

Once a franchise of sustained success, the Pittsburgh Steelers have become one of stagnation. 2025 was yet another season of finding a backdoor into the playoffs thanks to breakdowns inside the AFC North, and then getting humiliated in a playoff game that wasn’t even close. There were some differences this year: Aaron Rodgers was new, DK Metcalf was new, but Mike Tomlin remains the constant — at least for now.

The loss to the Texans on Monday Night Football wasn’t simply a one-and-done trip to the playoffs, but an example in making history for all the wrong reasons.

No. 1: The blowout streak

The Steelers stood out on a weekend where every playoff game was fairly close. Not only was their 24 point loss the worst of the weekend, but it cemented history as Pittsburgh becomes the first team in NFL history to lose five playoff games in a row by 10-plus points.

• 2020: Cleveland Browns 48 — Pittsburgh Steelers 37
• 2021: Kansas City Chiefs 42 — Pittsburgh Steelers 21
• 2023: Buffalo Bills 31 — Pittsburgh Steelers 17
• 2024: Baltimore Ravens 28 — Pittsburgh Steelers 14
• 2025: Houston Texans 30 — Pittsburgh Steelers 6

No. 2: Tomlin stands alone

Mike Tomlin made his own personal history with the loss on Monday. He is now the first coach in NFL history to go nine seasons without a playoff win.

This began after the 2016 season in which the Steelers lost to Tom Brady and the Patriots in the AFC Championship game. Over this span we’ve seen Pittsburgh lose after a first round bye once, and be bounced in the Wild Card Round a staggering five times in a row.

No. 3: Two plays make history

The Steelers became the first team in the Super Bowl era, and the second team in NFL history to give up a fumble return for a touchdown, and a interception return for a touchdown in the same playoff game. Both of these turnovers were because of Aaron Rodgers, and both came in the fourth quarter.

No.4: Built to trail

The Steelers also became the first team in NFL history to play in six playoff consecutive games without leading in the second half. Over the span of their losing streak here were the halftime scores in each loss:

• 2017: Jaguars 28 — Steelers 14
• 2020: Browns 35 — Steelers 10
• 2021: Chiefs 21 — Steelers 7
• 2023: Bills 21 — Steelers 7
• 2024: Ravens 21 — Steelers 0
• 2025: Texans 7 — Steelers 6

Whatever the future holds for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers, nobody can take away the mediocrity they’ve managed to build for themselves over the last several years. Really impressive work.