Honestly, it has been a brutal week for the 412. If you're looking for a victory parade or even just a reason to smile while wearing black and gold, you might want to look elsewhere. The short answer to who won the pittsburgh game today isn't a name of a local team. It's the Tampa Bay Lightning, and just 48 hours ago, the Houston Texans.
Pittsburgh sports fans are currently staring into a void that feels remarkably unfamiliar. We aren't just talking about a couple of losses on the scoreboard; we are talking about the end of an era.
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The Penguins Fall in a Heartbreaker
The Pittsburgh Penguins took the ice last night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. It was a defensive struggle that felt like a throwback to 90s hockey. Scoreless through two periods. Imagine that. In 2026, where scoring is usually up, Arturs Silovs and Andrei Vasilevskiy decided to turn the net into a brick wall.
J.J. Moser finally broke the silence for Tampa with less than six minutes left in the game. It looked like the Pens were going to get shut out at home. Then, Evgeni Malkin did what Geno does. He found a seam, ripped a shot from the right circle, and tied it with 2:16 on the clock.
The building was shaking.
But the "W" stayed with the Bolts. After a scoreless overtime, it went to a shootout. Nikita Kucherov, a man who seems to have ice water in his veins, scored the deciding goal. The Penguins lost 2-1. It’s their third straight loss, and while they got a point for the overtime effort, it feels like a hollow victory.
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The Steelers and the "Monday Night Massacre"
While there wasn't a Steelers game "today" in the literal sense of Wednesday, January 14, the city is still reeling from the Wild Card game that wrapped up late Monday night. If you’re asking who won the pittsburgh game today because you're catching up on the playoff bracket, the news is grim.
The Houston Texans didn't just win; they dismantled the Steelers 30-6.
It was lopsided. It was painful. It was, according to many local beat writers, the most embarrassing home playoff loss in the history of the franchise. Aaron Rodgers, who came to Pittsburgh with so much hype, looked every bit of his age. He completed 17 of 34 passes for a measly 146 yards.
The real dagger? A fumble that Sheldon Rankins returned 33 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. That play basically turned the lights out at Acrisure Stadium. The offense failed to score a single touchdown.
Why This Loss is Different
Usually, when the Steelers lose, we talk about "next year." This time, "next year" looks like a total rebuild.
- Mike Tomlin is out. In a move that sent shockwaves through the NFL on Tuesday, Tomlin stepped down after 19 seasons.
- The Quarterback Question. Rodgers is a free agent. Will he stay? Does he even want to play? Art Rooney II hinted that Rodgers came here for Tomlin, so the odds of him sticking around for a new regime feel slim.
- The Drought. This makes seven straight playoff losses for Pittsburgh. The last time this team won a postseason game, George W. Bush was—okay, not that long ago, but it was 2016. A decade-long drought is unheard of for this city.
What's Next for the Steel City?
If you're wondering what to watch now that the postseason dreams are dead, the focus shifts to the front office. The Steelers have already started casting a wide net for a new head coach. Names like Chris Shula and Nate Scheelhaase from the Rams are already surfacing. Brian Flores, a former Steelers assistant now with the Vikings, is also in the mix.
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The Penguins are back at it Thursday night against the Flyers. It’s a rivalry game, which is usually the best medicine for a losing streak.
As for the Pirates? They don't play for real until March 26 against the Mets. But, if you need a reason to spend money, single-game tickets actually went on sale today, January 14.
Moving Forward
If you were looking for a celebration, today isn't the day. But being a Pittsburgh fan has always been about the grind.
- Watch the Coaching Search: The Steelers want a new coach by the NFL Combine (Feb 23). Keep an eye on interview requests.
- Check the Penguins Standings: They are currently sliding. The game against Philadelphia on Thursday is essentially a "must-win" to keep pace in the Wild Card hunt.
- Draft Prep: The 2026 NFL Draft is actually in Pittsburgh this April. Since the Steelers own the No. 21 pick and have 12 total selections, the front office has the ammo to move up for a franchise quarterback.
The scoreboards haven't been kind lately, but the next few months will define the next decade of Pittsburgh sports. It's going to be a wild ride.