Catch up quick on the Houston Texans in the playoffs

Catch up quick: The Texans started the season with three straight losses but ended with a 12-5 record and nine straight victories.

• The road to a playoff berth was rocky. Quarterback C.J. Stroud was out midseason with a concussion.
• Wide receiver Tank Dell and running back Joe Mixon will miss the playoffs but are likely to return next season.

Between the lines: Texans insiders are confident, but they worry about the Steelers' interior defense winning the battle of the trenches, the Texans' running game and the difficulty of playing in Pittsburgh.

What they're saying: Texans head coach Demeco Ryans told reporters this week the team is focused on figuring out how to best the Steelers' defense.

• "They're a well-coached, physical outfit," Ryans said. "Defense has always played tough. So, we're excited about the opportunity."

Yes, but: Houston's own defense will also be a problem for Pittsburgh.

• The Texans' defensive squad ranks first in the NFL, with 277.2 total yards allowed per game, per Fox Sports.

Zoom out: The winner of the Texans-Steelers game will go on to play the Denver Broncos, who earned a first-round bye, in the AFC divisional round next weekend.

What's next: Kick off is at 7:15pm Monday on ESPN.

Go deeper: Who will win Super Bowl LX?