PITTSBURGH - Leading up to the AFC Wildcard Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans rookie running back Woody Marks knew he would have a heavy workload against one of the stingiest defenses in the NFL.
With the Monday Night Football matchup being the final game of Wild Card weekend, Marks knew that all eyes would be on the Texans’ offense, especially a rushing attack that ranked 22nd in the league with 108.9 yards per game.
When asked during the week by Big Sarge Media about whether he was ready or not, the 25-year-old didn’t flinch in his response.
“I’m built for it, I’m built for everything,” said Marks about his upcoming task. “No matter whatever hits me, adversity on the field, whenever my time comes, I am going to show up. That’s what they brought me here for, that’s what my team needs, that is what I have to do with my teammates.”
The fourth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft is a man of few words who lets his actions do all the talking. Against the Steelers, it was Marks and his offensive line that consistently dominated the Steelers’ front seven.
The rookie out of USC rushed for a career-high 112 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown in the 30-6 victory over Pittsburgh, advancing to the divisional round of the playoffs to face the New England Patriots.
According to Next Gen Stats, Marks gained 56 yards before contact, the most by any Texans rusher this season and 3rd-most in the last five seasons. He recorded a 42.1% success rate (Regular Season: 35.2%), helping the Texans average a season-low 5.5 yards to go on third down.
“It just felt good to get the win,” said Marks at his locker after the game on Monday.
Fellow rookie offensive lineman Aireontae Ersery was a vital part in helping the Texans’ rushing attack gain 164 yards on 31 carries. He was not surprised to see Marks have a breakout performance.
“I go up to Woody and tell him all the time, ‘You got this dawg,’” said Ersery to Big Sarge Media. “You are Woody Marks, do what you do, and we got you up front, and he does what he does. He is young, and his future is very bright.”
Marks became the third player in franchise history to record at least 100 rushing yards in a postseason game, joining running backs Arian Foster and Joe Mixon. He also became the first rookie in the NFL to record at least 100 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown in a postseason game since running back Cam Akers back in 2021.
After the game, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, who wore a small recording device throughout the game, shared his perspective on how his offense performed against Pittsburgh.
“Nothing more beautiful than running the ball in the freaking playoffs,” said Ryans.