Following a 41-34 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the Detroit Lions close out their regular season home slate by hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday. Both teams enter the game 8-6. The Steelers are seeking their third straight win, while the Lions once again try to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time since October 2022.
Last week: The Steelers defeated the Miami Dolphins 28-15 on Monday Night Football.
History: Pittsburgh leads the all-time series against Detroit 17-14-2. The two teams last met November 2021 ending in a 16-16 tie.
Detroit has not beaten Pittsburgh since a 19-16 overtime victory in 1998.
Storyline to watch: The Steelers have a 61% chance of winning the AFC North to claim the No. 4 playoff seed, according to NextGen Stats. Pittsburgh is heavily reliant on a division title to reach the playoffs with less than a 1% chance to qualify via wild card.
The Lions are mostly relying on a wild card spot, with only an 8% chance to win the NFC North, currently trailing Green Bay and Chicago. Detroit sits just outside the playoff picture with a 44% chance to make the postseason that would drop to 19% with a loss Sunday.
The Lions are in must-win territory, while the Steelers try to maintain their division lead Sunday at Ford Field.
Next up:
- The Lions travel to U.S. Bank Stadium to face the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day at 4:30 p.m.
- The Steelers travel to Huntington Bank Field to face the Cleveland Browns on December 28 at 1 p.m.
View photos of the starters for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
Offensive Coordinator: Arthur Smith
Defensive Coordinator: Teryl Austin
Special Teams Coordinator: Danny Smith
(AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
LT Andrus Peat
Backed up by Calvin Anderson
(AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)
LG Isaac Seumalo
Backed up by Spencer Anderson
(AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
C Zach Frazier
Backed up by Ryan McCollum
(AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
RG Mason McCormick
(AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
RT Troy Fautanu
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
TE Pat Freiermuth
Backed up by Jonnu Smith
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
TE Darnell Washington
(AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
RB Jaylen Warren
Backed up by Kenneth Gainwell and Kaleb Johnson
(AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
FB Connor Heyward
(AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
QB Aaron Rodgers
Backed up by Mason Rudolph and Will Howard
(AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
WR Calvin Austin III
Backed up by Roman Wilson and Adam Thielen
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
WR DK Metcalf
Backed up by Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek
(AP Photo/Nam Huh)
DT Cameron Heyward
Backed up by Brodric Martin-Rhodes and Esezi Otomewo
(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
NT Keeanu Benton
Backed up by Logan Lee
(AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
DE Derrick Harmon
Backed up by Yahya Black
(AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
LOLB T.J. Watt
Backed up by Jack Sawyer
(AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
LILB Patrick Queen
Backed up by Malik Harrison and Carson Bruener
(AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
RILB Payton Wilson
Backed up by Cole Holcomb
(AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
ROLB Alex Highsmith
Backed up by Nick Herbig
(AP Photo/Justin Berl)
LCB James Pierre
Backed up Brandin Echols
(AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
FS Jalen Ramsey
Backed up by Sebastian Castro
(AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
SS Kyle Dugger
Backed up by Chuck Clark and Jabrill Peppers
(AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
RCB Joey Porter Jr.
Backed up by Brandin Echols and James Pierre
(AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
NB Brandin Echols
(AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
P/H Corliss Waitman
(AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
K Chris Boswell
(AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
LS Christian Kuntz
(AP Photo/Steven Senne)
KR Kenneth Gainwell
Backed up by Kaleb Johnson
(AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
PR Calvin Austin III
Backed up by Scotty Miller
(AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Here are five Steelers' storylines to follow into Sunday's matchup:
1. Tomlin happy with the depth of his team
Natural attrition comes with December football in the NFL. READ MORE.
2. Rodgers: 'Preparation has been good'
QB Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers are amping up practice ahead of Sunday's game with the Detroit Lions. READ MORE.
3. Matt's stats: Week 16 vs. Lions
Steelers Nation Radio Matt Williamson gets you up to speed on the Pittsburgh Steelers Week 16 matchup with the Detroit Lions. READ MORE.
4. Tomlin previews Week 16 against Lions
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin meets with the media to talk about the teams upcoming game against the Detroit Lions. WATCH.
5. Tomlin in 10th place in NFL all-time regular season wins
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin moved into 10th place in the NFL in all-time regular season wins for coaches. READ MORE.
