Steelers' Bill Cowher Sends Big Warning Houston's Way About Aaron Rodgers And Mike Tomlin: "They Thrive On Being The Underdog"

The Pittsburgh Steelers gave fans a big scare when it took until the Week 18 regular season finale against the Baltimore Ravens to determine their playoff fate. The Steelers had looked poised to win the AFC North, but a Week 17 loss to the Cleveland Browns muddied the postseason waters. Sunday night at Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh managed to escape with a 26-24 victory, keeping their playoff hopes alive and setting up a first-round matchup against the Houston Texans at home on Monday night.

Many pundits have been quick to hype up the Texans, pointing to their talented roster and warning that they are a team nobody wants to face in the playoffs. Despite the national chatter, the Steelers are approaching the game with confidence, relying on the leadership of Head Coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Aaron Rodgers to navigate the high-stakes matchup. Pittsburgh’s veteran core has shown an ability to perform under pressure, and the team will look to leverage that experience against a Texans squad that has earned plenty of respect.

Not everyone is buying into the narrative that the Texans are untouchable. Former Steelers Head Coach Bill Cowher spoke with Rich Eisen about the importance of never underestimating a team led by Tomlin and Rodgers. Cowher highlighted Pittsburgh’s resilience this season, noting how they overcame late-season adversity to secure a playoff spot. 

"Well, unfortunately, I think that happens when you set the bar really high," Cowher said. "I have been there before. I went to the playoffs my first six years. You know you go to the Super Bowl, and you go to the Championship games, and you lose the Championship games. The longer you are in it, sometimes you just become a victim of your own success."

With momentum on their side and a passionate home crowd, the Steelers are ready to prove that experience and poise can outweigh hype and fear, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling Wild Card contest. 

Cowher also believes the Steelers can pull off the upset because of when the game will be played.

"Listen, I think the biggest thing for Mike is that the noise on the outside is a lot greater than the noise on the inside," Cowher said. "He’s a guy who thrives on those conditions. They thrive on being the underdog, being challenged and backed in the corner. I think you are seeing the same thing with Aaron Rodgers. They have a little bit of a chip on their shoulders… When you talk about this game, you talk about the Houston Texans. They have the longest winning streak coming in. Everybody is talking about the Houston Texans being a team that nobody wants to play, but let’s just look at the other side. The Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football. The last time they lost was in 1991. That was Chuck [Noll], I never lost in my 15 years and Mike has never lost in his 19 years. Houston may not be the team you wanna play in the playoffs, but Pittsburgh may not be the team you don’t wanna play on Monday night."

Steelers Get DK Metcalf Back

The other good news for Pittsburgh is that Rodgers gets his top weapon back in DK Metcalf. The Steelers had lost Metcalf after their Week 16 win over the Detroit Lions. 

It’s no secret that Metcalf got into an altercation with a Lions fan and was suspended for two critical games. Now that the Steelers survived without him, they get a much-needed boost and a Metcalf who will likely feel a strong sense of responsibility to make up for being suspended at such a crucial time.

How far can this Steelers team go in the playoffs? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on  @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!

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