The Houston Texans went the entire 2025 regular season–and will go the remainder of the postseason– without starting running back Joe Mixon in their backfield.
However, the two-time Pro Bowler has been locked in with his teammates the entire way, and he has shown no signs of that changing despite the uncertain nature of his future with the organization.
Mixon was one of many prominent current and former Texans to weigh in on Monday’s win.
Texans’ Joe Mixon Sends Message After Wild Card Win Over Steelers
GettyJoe Mixon #28 of the Houston Texans reacts after defeating the Tennessee Titans.
The Texans defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 30-6 in the AFC Wild Card finale, advancing to the Divisional Playoffs to face the New England Patriots.
“W,” Mixon posted on X on January 12.
The Texans fittingly got a big day from their run game, with rookie fourth-round draft pick Woody Marks tallying 112 yards on 19 carries, while four-time Pro Bowler and former Cleveland Browns star Nick Chubb added 48 yards on 10 rushing attempts.
Mixon, who turns 30 this offseason, faces an uncertain future due to the nebulous nature of the foot and/or ankle issue that has sidelined him.
However, he was not alone in celebrating what the Texans did on Monday night.
J.J. Watt Praises Texans
GettyFormer Houston Texans player J.J. Watt looks on during a ceremony inducting him into the Texans Ring of Honor.
J.J. Watt was like Mixon, tuned into the Texans’ tilt against the Steelers and his younger brother T.J., and he could not help but note what the Texans were able to do on his side of the line of scrimmage.
“Texans defense is so nasty,” Watt said in a post on X during the contest, adding that it was “Just insane.”
The unit was, in fact, historic against the Steelers.
“The Texans defense generated -33.4 EPA, the fewest by any playoff defense in the last decade,” Next Gen Stats posted on X after the game, also noting that Houston held three of the top four performances in that regard “in the last decade.”
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans called the showing, which included two defensive touchdowns, the best performance in franchise history.
Even without the dynamic Mixon, the Texans were able to put on a show.
Texans Duo Calls Out Stat
GettyDerek Stingley Jr. #24 of the Houston Texans celebrates with Kamari Lassiter #4 after making an interception against the Miami Dolphins.
Mixon aside, the Texans touted their efforts on the night, with two members of their vaunted defense challenging Next Gen Stats’ assertion on their performance.
ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime posted that Texans corners Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter allowed three receptions for 23 yards on nine combined targets, exonerating the former from surrendering any ground, per NGS.
Lassiter asked for evidence, while Stingley provided what were presumably the Texans’ stats.
The back-to-back First Team All-Pro posted that the foursome of himself, Lassiter, and safeties Calen Bullock (who recorded a pick-6) and Jalen Pitre did not allow a single reception.
Bullock posted, “Oh ok [shushing emoji]” in reaction to Stingle’s stats. Regardless, the Texans put forth a historic effort to take down the Steelers for their first road playoff win and advance to the AFC Divisional Playoffs for the third consecutive season.
Now, they will look to ride their top-flight defense to their first AFC Championship Game.
Texans Rookie Calls Out Steelers Veteran
GettyJaylin Noel #82 of the Houston Texans warms up before a game against the Carolina Panthers.
Also like Mixon, Texans rookie Jaylin Noel was outspoken after the game, and even more so, including calling out one Steelers player for questionable actions.
Noel reposted a clip that a fan shared, which questioned Steelers wide receiver and special teams Pro Bowler Ben Skowronek for grabbing the Texans wideout in a sensitive area after making a tackle during a return.
“This what we teaching on the Steelers??” Noel said. “Wonder what his wife think about this…”
Noel had a quiet day on offense, failing to haul in his lone target. He did, however, gain 81 yards on six returns, 59 of which came while running back kicks.
Texans May Have Ended Eras
GettyAaron Rodgers #8 and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin walk off the field after their win over the New England Patriots.
While Mixon’s future will be a topic of discussion for the Texans whenever the offseason comes, Houston’s victory on Monday night may have set in motion the official ending of a couple of key Steelers-related eras.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has been on the hot seat for several seasons in the court of public opinion. That only intensified after the loss.
Tomlin has lost seven straight playoff games in 10 campaigns since the 2015 season.
Meanwhile, Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said before the season that this would be his last. The Steelers could be interested in bringing the 42-year-old four-time MVP back for a second stint, but neither Rodgers nor Tomlin wanted to address their futures after the loss.
The Texans will face another strong top-five draft pick at QB and a highly regarded head coach in Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel of the Patriots next week.
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