The Ringer NFL Show Texans' Dominating Defense, What's Next for Rodgers, and Wild-Card Round Winners and Losers!
Jan 13, 2026
Diante Lee, a staff writer and NFL analyst at The Ringer, joins to break down the Texans' remarkable defense that shut down the Steelers. They analyze CJ Stroud's performance and how Houston's defense compensates for his inconsistencies. The discussion shifts to Aaron Rodgers' uncertain future after his team’s loss, exploring options like retirement or a midseason pickup. They also delve into the future of the Steelers and Mike Tomlin, alongside highlighting the biggest winners and losers from the wild-card round.
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Defense Carries The Texans
- The Texans' defense is a game-defining unit that can neutralize short passing games and force turnovers.
- That defensive identity lets CJ Stroud's inconsistent offense only need to be 'just enough' to win.
Stroud's Jekyll-And-Hyde Game
- CJ Stroud showed two extremes: costly turnovers and sudden big throws in the same game.
- That inconsistency makes Houston's postseason ceiling depend heavily on their defense creating short fields.
Play To The Defense's Strengths
- Lean on Houston's defense to create turnovers and short fields as a playoff path.
- Focus offensive gameplans on punching drives in after turnovers rather than demanding perfection from Stroud.