As mind-bending as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 26-24 victory over the Baltimore Ravens was on Sunday night, that’s how confused and conflicted our Mark Madden is while sifting through everything that happened during it.
“Just a crazy game. It will go down as an all-time classic, an instant classic in this rivalry and for the Steelers,” Madden said during this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast. “I’m not sure what it leads to. Well, actually, that’s not true. I do know what leads to. It leads to Tomlin, for sure, now coaching (here) forever — and (Aaron) Rogers coming back next year. So to me, while being an instant classic, and while we’re all glad the Steelers won, it also comes under the heading of be careful what you wish for.”
That’s true. Especially in the sense that, even though this game is going to give all Steelers fans an emotional boost because of the nature of the victory, the truth remains that the Steelers still haven’t won a playoff game since 2016.
And they are unlikely to do so again this year. They are already being slated as three-point home underdogs to the Houston Texans on “Monday Night Football” Jan. 13.
“I didn’t think they would beat Baltimore, to be honest,” Madden admitted. “I think Houston has the best defense in the league. I don’t think Houston will score a ton of points against Pittsburgh, either. I’m not anti-C.J. Stroud by any means. If you made me pick right now, I’d pick Houston in a close game.”
______________________________
More Steelers' coverage
• T.J. Watt 'felt so comfortable,' intercepts Ravens in return from partially collapsed lung• Feats of Strength: Aaron Rodgers’ response drives, early defensive stands clinch AFC North for Steelers over Baltimore
• 'It's nice to be back in this position': Aaron Rodgers grateful to make playoff run with Steelers
______________________________
Part of the reason — beyond their top-ranked defense — that the Texans are coming in as favorites is that they are 12-5 and the Steelers are 10-7.
Not to mention the fact that the Steelers are fortunate to still be alive, given that it took Baltimore’s rookie kicker Tyler Loop missing a 44-yard field goal to lose the game.
“I can’t say the Steelers deserve to win, but I certainly can’t say the Ravens deserve to win either,” Madden said, furthering the internal conflict of the result. “I will say this, though. When he had to be, Aaron Rodgers was absolutely impeccable. That’s likely the biggest story of this game. Aaron Rodgers came through on what could have been the last drive of his career, and he made sure it wasn’t.”
Indeed. Rodgers led the Steelers to their winning touchdown by going 65 yards over six plays with no timeouts in just 85 seconds.
RODGERS. ICE COLD.
— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2026
BALvsPIT on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/REWEwjvG25
However, if Houston does emerge victorious, Madden says that result will quickly erase any good vibes left over from Sunday night’s extravaganza.
“I think it’s important to remember that unless they win a playoff game, the season is still an utter failure,” Madden insisted. “You didn’t bring in ‘Grandpa Game Manager’ at quarterback, to just get to the playoffs. You did that last year with Russ (Wilson). You’ve got to win a playoff game, or this season is an utter failure. I still probably wouldn’t bring back Tomlin. I still probably wouldn’t bring back Rodgers. I just want this team to change. A fluky win because the kicker misses his first field goal of the season inside 50 yards just doesn’t change how I feel about this team and franchise overall.”
Also, during the podcast, Madden and I talk about the loss from Baltimore’s perspective, Cameron Heyward’s effort, the Steelers running game, Lamar Jackson’s up-and-down showing, as well as the Penguins recent hot streak.
