At least on paper, the biggest mismatch among units across the entire Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs would appear to be the Houston Texans defense against the Pittsburgh Steelers offense.
The Houston Texans are one of just 18 teams since 1990 that have finished in the top three in turnovers forced, points allowed and yards allowed in a single season, and if they were to make a run to the Super Bowl, it would only serve as further proof that the old adage is indeed true... Defense does win championships.
Meanwhile, the Steelers enter the postseason ranked in the middle of the pack in most offensive categories, and if they were to make a similarly deep run in the Playoffs as the Texans hope to, they would go down as one of the worst offensive teams ever to win -- or even play in -- a Super Bowl.
Yet if you hear Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers offense, you'd think that this was one of the most formidable units they've faced all season long. Specifically, Ryans and Burke highlighted three players who could pose matchup problems for even the league's most complete defense.
"(D.K.) Metcalf gives them their full offense," Ryans said this week of Pittsburgh's #1 receiver, returning to the lineup after serving a two game suspension. "He lines up as an outside receiver. He does an outstanding job of playing physical. That's the one thing that sticks out to me with him, is that he's a physical receiver whether he's running the go ball, slants, whatever."
"He's done a great job his entire career of making big plays down the field. I know they're excited to get him back because he's such a huge part of their offense. Aaron [Rodgers] will definitely look to go to him a ton," Ryans explained. "We have our hands full when it comes to challenging him and trying to make a play when the ball is up."
Despite missing the final two games of the season, Metcalf did end the 2025 campaign as Aaron Rodgers' most targeted receiver, finishing with 59 receptions on a team-high 99 targets. Metcalf was Pittsburgh's leader in receiving yards (850) and touchdowns (6) as well.
But equally dangerous in Pittsburgh's passing attack, especially against a Texans front that can generate pressure so quickly off the edge with All-Pros Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, will be a running back duo that poses a huge threat as checkdown options for an aging quarterback.
Neither Kenneth Gainwell or Jaylen Warren enter the postseason as a household name, but if Pittsburgh scores an upset win over the Houston on Monday night, both Gainwell and Warren will likely be involved in some way, shape or form.
Gainwell and Warren combined for over 2,300 yards of total offense on 438 total touches this season. They've also accounted for over a third of Pittsburgh's touchdowns this season.
What makes this running back tandem so dangerous, in addition to averaging over 4.5 yards per carry, is how effective they are in the passing game. On 130 targets to both of these backs this season, Aaron Rodgers completed 113 passes, which is an 87% completion percentage for those who don't have a calculator handy. So on the ground and through the air, Houston's defense will need to keep Gainwell and Warren in check.
"Both backs are really good," Matt Burke noted earlier this week, per Matthew Marczi of Steelers Depot. "(Jaylen) Warren, really good contact balance, low to the ground, just really runs through tackles, steps out of a lot of tackles. I think both of them, (Kenneth) Gainwell, systematically, they just like to get those guys in space."