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This game is over. Houston played at Pittsburgh in the 2025–26 NFL Wild Card round on Monday, January 12, 2026, at Acrisure Stadium. The national broadcast was on ESPN and ABC. ESPN listed an 8:00 p.m. Eastern broadcast window; Pittsburgh’s announcement listed an approximately 8:15 p.m. Eastern kickoff. For a replay, check the official ESPN, NFL or team platforms rather than using live-game instructions.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Game | Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers, 2025–26 Wild Card |
| Date | Monday, January 12, 2026 |
| Venue | Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh |
| Networks | ESPN and ABC |
| Broadcast window | 8:00 p.m. Eastern |
| Expected kickoff | Approximately 8:15 p.m. Eastern |
Sources: Houston Texans game page, Steelers announcement and ESPN viewing guide.
Start time in every U.S. time zone
| Time zone | Broadcast window | Approximate kickoff |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern | 8:00 p.m. | 8:15 p.m. |
| Central | 7:00 p.m. | 7:15 p.m. |
| Mountain | 6:00 p.m. | 6:15 p.m. |
| Pacific | 5:00 p.m. | 5:15 p.m. |
The two Eastern times describe different moments: ESPN’s program listing used the 8:00 p.m. slot, while the Steelers gave the scheduled game time as 8:15 p.m.
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ESPN provided the national cable broadcast, and ABC carried a simultaneous over-the-air broadcast in applicable local markets. “ESPN/ABC” did not mean viewers needed both channels; either one was sufficient if included in the television package or received through a local ABC affiliate.
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ABC availability depended on the viewer’s local station and market. The official Texans listing identifies the matchup as an ESPN/ABC broadcast: HoustonTexans.com.
Streaming choices
ESPN app or ESPN’s NFL hub
- Open the ESPN watch page, ESPN app or ESPN NFL hub.
- Select the Texans-Steelers game or its replay.
- Sign in with an eligible cable, satellite or live-TV provider account if prompted.
Downloading the app was free, but live access generally depended on provider authentication or an applicable ESPN subscription tier. Availability and replay rights could vary by account, location and device.
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NFL+
The Texans’ “where to watch” guide listed NFL+ as an option: Houston Texans streaming guide. NFL+ rules depend on the specific plan, device, market and whether the content is live or replay. Before subscribing, check the current NFL+ terms to confirm that the game and intended screen are supported.
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A live-TV service can be useful when it carries both ESPN and the local ABC affiliate. Channel lineups, prices, trial eligibility and cancellation rules change, so verify them by ZIP code before signing up. YouTube TV is one example of a service that may carry those networks.
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Why Sunday Ticket was not the default answer
The Texans’ guide directed out-of-market viewers toward Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. Sunday Ticket is primarily designed for out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. This matchup was a nationally televised Monday playoff game on ESPN and ABC, so Sunday Ticket was not automatically necessary or the best purchase.
Could you watch it for free?
Local ABC with an antenna
The clearest legitimate free-live option was a local ABC broadcast received with an antenna, after the one-time equipment purchase. Reception was not guaranteed: distance, terrain, building materials and antenna placement affect the signal. Check the local ABC affiliate, scan channels before game day and test reception early. Antenna products include Tablo, Mohu and Channel Master.
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Existing household access or a temporary trial
If someone in the household already had ESPN through a qualifying TV package, authenticated ESPN streaming could add no new cost. A live-TV provider might also offer a time-limited trial, but trial terms, network carriage and eligibility must be checked on the publication date; there was no permanent universal free internet stream.
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- Scores, alerts, radio and play-by-play from NFL or team apps.
- Unofficial YouTube or social-media commentary and scoreboards, such as pages like this YouTube result.
- Pirated streams, which are unauthorized and unreliable.
Troubleshooting
- ESPN says you are unauthorized: Confirm that your TV package includes ESPN, then sign in with the provider’s credentials rather than only an ESPN account.
- ABC is missing: Check local affiliate carriage by ZIP code; local-network availability varies.
- The stream is unavailable or blacked out: Review location permissions, VPN settings, account ZIP code and device compatibility. Do not bypass geographic restrictions.
- Antenna reception fails: Rescan channels, move the antenna near a window, remove unnecessary splitters and try another room or outdoor placement.
- You are outside the United States: U.S. ESPN and ABC rights do not automatically apply internationally; consult the rights holder in your country.
Do not confuse this game with earlier playoff matchups
This was the 2025–26 Wild Card meeting played January 12, 2026. It was not Houston’s January 13, 2024 Wild Card game against Cleveland, Pittsburgh’s January 15, 2024 game against Buffalo, a regular-season Texans-Steelers meeting or a future playoff matchup. The 2024 schedule is documented by the NFL.
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Finding a replay now
Because the game has concluded, look for an archived full-game replay or condensed replay in the current ESPN app, NFL services or official team platforms. Whether a replay appears, and on which devices, depends on the current rights and subscription terms.
The Bottom Line
For the January 12, 2026 Texans-Steelers Wild Card game, ESPN and ABC were the correct networks. A local ABC antenna signal was the most economical legal live option where available; existing ESPN credentials were the simplest streaming route. NFL+, live-TV bundles and replay access required checking the applicable plan and current terms.
Quick Recap
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