Watch: 3 plays from Steelers Wild Card game

Originally posted on Steel City Underground | Last updated Jan 14, 2026 10:45 AM ET

Steel City Underground presents three highlight plays from the Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Wild Card playoff game against the Houston Texans on Jan. 12, 2026.

The Steelers struggled to keep up with the Texans in the Wild Card game on Monday night in the second half despite some great defensive plays in the first half. With a stalled offense, Pittsburgh became more and more gassed as the game progressed. That allowed Houston to pull ahead and move on in the NFL playoffs. We selected three of the best Steelers plays from the game.

1st Q: Sawyer strip-sack, Black recovery

The Steelers led, 3-0, when the Texans offense began their second offensive series of the game. On the 7th play of the drive, on 1st & 10 at the PIT 40, Houston tried a little trickery. C.J. Stroud took the snap from under center, handed the ball off… and then had the ball flipped back to him. Steelers rookie outside linebacker Jack Sawyer, in for T.J. Watt, sniffed-out the developing play and hit Stroud’s arm before the pass got off. Rookie defensive lineman Yahya Black was able to recover the fumble.

HUGE play by the rooks @jacksawyer33 | @Yblack74 | Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/szceXBjRdr pic.twitter.com/hBOt87H5G8

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 13, 2026

It was Sawyer’s second career sack and Black’s second career fumble recovery.

.@Yblack74 comes up with the ball! pic.twitter.com/b2DhsfghR9

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 13, 2026

Q2: Benton strip-sack, Watt recovery

Ahead 7-3 in the second quarter, Houston’s second offensive series was like deja vu. On 1st & 10 at the HOU 19, Woody Marks carried the ball for a short gain. On 2nd & 6, Stroud took the snap from shotgun, dropped the low snap, picked it up, and was met by Keeanu Benton. The ball was knocked loose on the sack and Watt recovered it.

Knocked out by @keeanu_benton & recovered by @_TJWatt

Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/szceXBjRdr pic.twitter.com/p23kYLNVgt

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 13, 2026

This time, the Steelers offense was able to advance the ball enough to allow a Chris Boswell field goal, moving the score to 7-6.

The Benton sack was 1.0 of the 5.5 he posted in 2025 and Watt’s fumble recovery was his 3rd in that same period.

Q3: Echols interception

On the opening offensive series of the second half for Houston, Stroud got careless. After moving the Texans offense down the field to the PIT 16, Stroud – under pressure in the pocket – tried to slip a pass in to Xavier Hutchinson. Brandin Echols played the ball perfectly and grabbed the interception.

.@matayo_echols said gimme that

Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/szceXBjRdr pic.twitter.com/JL1EKDYCTj

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 13, 2026