The Steelers currently have control of first place in the AFC North. To keep pace ahead of the Ravens, they now have to travel to Detroit to take on a talented-yet-desperate Lions team that's currently out of a playoff spot and needs a win even more than they do.
Here's a snapshot of what the Lions bring into Week 16:
DETROIT LIONS
Head coach: Dan Campbell (2021-present) Record: 8-6 Standing: Third, NFC North Last result: Lost to Rams, 41-34
THE TREND
The Lions enter Sunday's game outside of a playoff spot in the NFC. But don't let their 8-6 record fool you. Detroit’s offense is the top scoring unit in the NFL and have shown the ability to have a chance to win any given week, even when thrust into a full-blown shootout.
No, the 2025 season has not been the easiest for this Lions team. The emergence of the Bears and the Packers taking a step forward toward being a true contender has made the NFC North an insanely difficult division. While the Lions might have a modest 8-6 record, four of their six losses have been to teams currently in a playoff spot. The other two were to the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium back in Week 7 and a Week 9 loss to the Vikings, who are also better than their 6-8 record indicates.
However, the Lions are not bulletproof. Injuries have ravaged their defense, particularly in the secondary. It's not only limited the way they can defend opposing offenses, but has potentially cost them one or two of the shootouts they've lost. That could be the difference between making the playoffs and missing out on them altogether.
The Lions desperately need a win on Sunday to keep pace with the Packers, who currently sit 1.5 games ahead of them as the No. 7 seed in the NFC. The Steelers should be expecting a desperate-yet-talented football team, playing with everything they've got.
THE QUARTERBACK: Jared Goff
• Height: 6-4 • Weight: 217 • Drafted: Rams, 2016, first round (1st overall) • Career accolades: 4x Pro Bowler, 2017 PFWA Most Improved Player • Completions: 314 (4th) • Attempts: 453 (8th) • Completion percentage: 69.3% (4th) • Passing yards: 3,672 (3rd) • Passing touchdowns: 29 (2nd) • Interceptions: 5 (T-4th fewest) • Passer rating: 110.4 (2nd) • Yards per attempt: 8.1 (T-3rd) • Average time to throw: 2.73 seconds (T-6th) • Sacks: 28 (13th) • Pressure rate: 34.7% (15th) • EPA/play: 0.197 (7th) • Completion percentage over expected (CPOE): +3.5% (7th) • Average air yards: 6.9 (T-28th)
RBSDM.COM
Goff is having a great season. He's efficient, accurate and knows how to get the ball into the hands of his many talented receivers and running backs. This isn't the guy that failed to live up to the hype of being a first overall pick with the Rams.
Limiting Goff can be tricky. Some quarterbacks are terrible against the blitz. Others thrive. Goff is the latter. Against the blitz this season, Goff has a 123.9 passer rating (10 touchdowns, no interceptions), second to only Matthew Stafford. However, Goff is not nearly as efficient while under pressure, in which he's posted a 73.5 passer rating, ranking 14th in the NFL. What the Steelers might have to do is find a way to get to Goff with a four-man rush. That could lead to some pressures naturally created by good coverage. The defense could also dial up some simulated pressure, which looks like blitzes to the quarterback but ends up being just a four-man rush.
Either way, this is not one of those games in which the defense sells out to stop the run and says, 'Hey, let's make the quarterback beat us.' Goff is capable of shreddings defenses that try to do that. Though, the running game still needs quite a bit of attention.
THE OFFENSE
Offensive coordinator: John Morton (2025-present)
Morton's most notable previous jobs: Broncos pass game coordinator (2023-2024), Jets offensive coordinator (2017), USC offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach (2009-2010)
Play-caller: Dan Campbell
• Total yards per game: 379.9 (4th) • Passing yards per game: 248.8 (3rd) • Rushing yards per game: 131.1 (5th) • Points per game: 30.6 (1st) • Yards per play: 6.2 (T-1st) • Turnovers: 8 (1st) • EPA/play: 0.107 (7th) • EPA/dropback: 0.195 (5th) • EPA/rush: -0.013 (8th) • Third down efficiency: 38.4% (17th) • Red zone touchdown efficiency: 67.3% (2nd) • 11 personnel usage: 57.46% (19th) • 12 personnel usage: 22.38% (17th) • 13 personnel usage: 5.13% (15th) • 20 personnel usage: 1.86% (2nd) • 21 personnel usage: 3.03% (17th)
It's impossible to talk about the Lions' offense and not mention the duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery at running back. No matter who the offensive coordinator is, whether it was Ben Johnson or Morton this season, they've found a way to make them the most lethal two-headed monster in football. Gibbs gets the majority of the touches, as he can be dangerous as both a runner and receiver, but Montgomery is the perfect complement that has 635 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns of his own. Montgomery has even thrown a touchdown pass this season. This is a duo that can take over a game.
The Lions also have an elite collection of targets in the passing game, perfectly complementing their ability to run the ball. Amon-Ra St. Brown is Goff's go-to guy, catching 94 passes for 1,140 yards and 11 touchdowns so far. Jameson Williams is a phenomenal No. 2, with 52 catches for 936 yards and seven touchdowns of his own. Sam LaPorta is one of the most dangerous tight ends in the league, but is currently on injured reserve. Gibbs is also a dangerous threat out of the backfield, catching 62 passes for 494 yards and three touchdowns.
Bottom line: No matter if it's on the ground or through the air, the Lions can create explosive plays better than any other team in the league (7.8%). It's much easier said than done, but the best way to try and limit the Lions is to sell out on first and second down to create third-and-long as often as possible. It won't be enough to completely shut down this unit, but might be enough to but a cap on it. That could help the offense take advantage of a Lions defense that's not nearly as formidable.
Sheppard's most notable previous jobs: Lions linebackers coach (2022-2024), Lions outside linebackers coach (2021), LSU director of player development (2020)
• Total yards per game: 337.9 (21st) • Passing yards per game: 231.1 (24th) • Rushing yards per game: 106.7 (13th) • Points per game: 24.6 (23rd) • Yards per play: 5.4 (T-16th) • Takeaways: 17 (T-11th) • EPA/play: 0.017 (18th) • EPA/dropback: 0.073 (18th) • EPA/rush: -0.079 (16th) • Third down efficiency: 36.8% (10th) • Red zone touchdown efficiency: 61.7% (23rd) • Base defense usage: 61.92% (1st) • Nickel usage: 34.44% (31st) • Dime usage: 0% (T-31st) • Man coverage: 43.4% (1st) • Zone coverage: 54.7% (32nd) • Single-high usage (MFC): 58.5% (5th) • Two-high usage (MFO): 41.5% (28th) • Cover 1 usage: 31.7% (2nd) • Cover 2 man usage: 5.3% (2nd) • Blitz rate: 32.5% (4th) • Sacks: 39 (7th) • Pressure rate: 37.8% (6th)
The Lions have a very aggressive defense that starts with a very talented front, led by Aidan Hutchinson. While he only has 9.5 sacks this season, he's a very versatile edge defender that can make plays in coverage, too. He not only has three passes defensed, but also one interception he returned for 58 yards. Hutchinson has the likes of Jack Campbell behind him at linebacker. One Steelers coach told me this week that Campbell is an "absolute machine." And considering his 143 tackles, five sacks and three forced fumbles, that's not an outlandish description.
However, for as good as their defensive front can be, the Lions' secondary has been completely wrecked by injuries. Key defensive backs Terrion Arnold and Brian Branch are currently on injured reserve. Starting safety Kerby Joseph has been limited to only six games this season, and is out yet again this week. Cornerback D.J. Reed has played only eight games. They are insanely thin all throughout the secondary. It's no coincidence they are in the bottom third of the NFL in pass defense.
To help circumvent the injuries to the secondary, the Lions run out of their base defense more than any other team in the NFL, meaning they usually only have four defensive backs on the field. How Arthur Smith chooses to attack that could make or break the offense. Going with big personnel could be running right into what the Lions want them to do. Or, Smith could trot out more three-receiver sets and try to stretch them out.
THE SPECIAL TEAMS
Jake Bates is in his second season as placekicker for the Lions, and he's not exactly been the most reliable. He's made only 21 of his 27 field goal attempts and he's missed two of his extra point attempts. Of his six misses on field goal attempts, four have come beyond 50 yards and the other two in the 40-49 range. Jack Fox is in his sixth season as the Lions' punter, coming off being named first-team All-Pro in 2024. This season, he's averaging a career-low 45.8 yards per punt. Wide receiver Kalif Raymond handles punt returns, and he's run one back for a touchdown this season. Running back Jacob Saylors is the primary kick returner, averaging 26.8 yards per return.
THE INJURY REPORT
Ruled OUT:
• Kerby Joseph, S (knee) -- Joseph didn't practice all week. He's one of the Lions' starting safeties, which further weakens a decimated Detroit secondary. Thomas Harper is next in line to play in Joseph's stead.
• *Giovanni Manu, OT (knee) -- Manu is working his way back from injured reserve. After being limited all week, he's still not ready to play.
Ruled as QUESTIONABLE:
• Trystan Colon, OL (wrist) -- Colon was limited all week in practice. He's the backup center.
• Taylor Decker, OT (shoulder/rest) -- Decker didn't practice Wednesday, was limited on Thursday, then didn't practice again on Friday. He's the Lions' starting left tackle. His absence would be a significant loss. Dan Skipper is next in line if Decker can't play.
• Graham Glasgow, C (knee) -- Glasgow popped up on Thursday as a non-participant in practice, then didn't practice again Friday. He's the starting center, which would be another significant loss if he can't play.
• *Christian Mahogany, G (fibula) -- Mahogany fully practiced Wednesday and Thursday, but was limited on Friday. He's working his way back from injured reserve.
• Amik Robertson, CB (hand) -- Robertson was limited all week in practice. He's one of the Lions' current starting cornerbacks. Decimation really doesn't begin to describe what's happened to Detroit's secondary. Khalil Dorsey and Rock Ya-Sin would be in line for more snaps if Robertson doesn't play.
Players on injury report, but cleared to play:
• Kayode Awosika, G (foot) • Thomas Harper, S (concussion) • Sione Vaki, RB (thumb)
* - in 21-day window to return from injured reserve
Players on injured reserve/PUP:
• Terrion Arnold, CB • Brian Branch, DB • Zach Cunningham, LB • Dan Jackson, S • Jamarco Jones, OT • Sam LaPorta, TE • Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB • Colby Sorsdal, OL • Ezekiel Turner, LB • Brock Wright, TE • Josh Paschal, EDGE • Levi Onwuzurike, DL
QUOTABLE
"Steelers, man. Got a lot of respect for this team, got a lot of respect for Mike Tomlin, been doing it for a long time, heck of a coach. Their brand of football, same style, always competitive. And once again, they're in the race for this division over there. They do it the right way, they do it the hard way, and they make you try to earn it at the end of the game. So, we know this'll be one of those physical battles. We've got to play smart, take care of the football and be very efficient. But he's always run a good program, and we know we've got our hands full." -- Dan Campbell on the Steelers
"I'd love it if he threw me another one. That'd be great. He's a competitor. He's been doing it at a high level for a long time so we all have a ton of respect for him. He's a focus this week for sure." -- Aidan Hutchinson on playing Aaron Rodgers, who's picked him off before
"I think that has been the hallmark of who they are for however long they have been successful there. Which is a long time. They are a tough, physical team. They are AFC North. They play downhill. They are strong. That's what they pride themselves on." -- Jared Goff on Steelers' physicality
"It just gives another element, right? Gives them another element. If you're able to get the running back out and he's a good route runner, then you get isolated on the linebacker. We're fortunate we've got some pretty good backers here, so that helps. But yet it's still a matchup that I would say most offenses are always looking for in general, is can you find that? And I like Gainwell, he's a good back. And he is, he's versatile. He's got vision, he's pretty sneaky that way, shifty. And he is a good receiver." -- Dan Campbell on Kenneth Gainwell's versatility
THE ASYLUM
Next Opponent: Lions better than 8-6 record
The Steelers currently have control of first place in the AFC North. To keep pace ahead of the Ravens, they now have to travel to Detroit to take on a talented-yet-desperate Lions team that's currently out of a playoff spot and needs a win even more than they do.
Here's a snapshot of what the Lions bring into Week 16:
DETROIT LIONS
Head coach: Dan Campbell (2021-present)
Record: 8-6
Standing: Third, NFC North
Last result: Lost to Rams, 41-34
THE TREND
The Lions enter Sunday's game outside of a playoff spot in the NFC. But don't let their 8-6 record fool you. Detroit’s offense is the top scoring unit in the NFL and have shown the ability to have a chance to win any given week, even when thrust into a full-blown shootout.
No, the 2025 season has not been the easiest for this Lions team. The emergence of the Bears and the Packers taking a step forward toward being a true contender has made the NFC North an insanely difficult division. While the Lions might have a modest 8-6 record, four of their six losses have been to teams currently in a playoff spot. The other two were to the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium back in Week 7 and a Week 9 loss to the Vikings, who are also better than their 6-8 record indicates.
However, the Lions are not bulletproof. Injuries have ravaged their defense, particularly in the secondary. It's not only limited the way they can defend opposing offenses, but has potentially cost them one or two of the shootouts they've lost. That could be the difference between making the playoffs and missing out on them altogether.
The Lions desperately need a win on Sunday to keep pace with the Packers, who currently sit 1.5 games ahead of them as the No. 7 seed in the NFC. The Steelers should be expecting a desperate-yet-talented football team, playing with everything they've got.
THE QUARTERBACK: Jared Goff
• Height: 6-4
• Weight: 217
• Drafted: Rams, 2016, first round (1st overall)
• Career accolades: 4x Pro Bowler, 2017 PFWA Most Improved Player
• Completions: 314 (4th)
• Attempts: 453 (8th)
• Completion percentage: 69.3% (4th)
• Passing yards: 3,672 (3rd)
• Passing touchdowns: 29 (2nd)
• Interceptions: 5 (T-4th fewest)
• Passer rating: 110.4 (2nd)
• Yards per attempt: 8.1 (T-3rd)
• Average time to throw: 2.73 seconds (T-6th)
• Sacks: 28 (13th)
• Pressure rate: 34.7% (15th)
• EPA/play: 0.197 (7th)
• Completion percentage over expected (CPOE): +3.5% (7th)
• Average air yards: 6.9 (T-28th)
RBSDM.COM
Goff is having a great season. He's efficient, accurate and knows how to get the ball into the hands of his many talented receivers and running backs. This isn't the guy that failed to live up to the hype of being a first overall pick with the Rams.
Limiting Goff can be tricky. Some quarterbacks are terrible against the blitz. Others thrive. Goff is the latter. Against the blitz this season, Goff has a 123.9 passer rating (10 touchdowns, no interceptions), second to only Matthew Stafford. However, Goff is not nearly as efficient while under pressure, in which he's posted a 73.5 passer rating, ranking 14th in the NFL. What the Steelers might have to do is find a way to get to Goff with a four-man rush. That could lead to some pressures naturally created by good coverage. The defense could also dial up some simulated pressure, which looks like blitzes to the quarterback but ends up being just a four-man rush.
Either way, this is not one of those games in which the defense sells out to stop the run and says, 'Hey, let's make the quarterback beat us.' Goff is capable of shreddings defenses that try to do that. Though, the running game still needs quite a bit of attention.
THE OFFENSE
Offensive coordinator: John Morton (2025-present)
Morton's most notable previous jobs: Broncos pass game coordinator (2023-2024), Jets offensive coordinator (2017), USC offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach (2009-2010)
Play-caller: Dan Campbell
• Total yards per game: 379.9 (4th)
• Passing yards per game: 248.8 (3rd)
• Rushing yards per game: 131.1 (5th)
• Points per game: 30.6 (1st)
• Yards per play: 6.2 (T-1st)
• Turnovers: 8 (1st)
• EPA/play: 0.107 (7th)
• EPA/dropback: 0.195 (5th)
• EPA/rush: -0.013 (8th)
• Third down efficiency: 38.4% (17th)
• Red zone touchdown efficiency: 67.3% (2nd)
• 11 personnel usage: 57.46% (19th)
• 12 personnel usage: 22.38% (17th)
• 13 personnel usage: 5.13% (15th)
• 20 personnel usage: 1.86% (2nd)
• 21 personnel usage: 3.03% (17th)
It's impossible to talk about the Lions' offense and not mention the duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery at running back. No matter who the offensive coordinator is, whether it was Ben Johnson or Morton this season, they've found a way to make them the most lethal two-headed monster in football. Gibbs gets the majority of the touches, as he can be dangerous as both a runner and receiver, but Montgomery is the perfect complement that has 635 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns of his own. Montgomery has even thrown a touchdown pass this season. This is a duo that can take over a game.
The Lions also have an elite collection of targets in the passing game, perfectly complementing their ability to run the ball. Amon-Ra St. Brown is Goff's go-to guy, catching 94 passes for 1,140 yards and 11 touchdowns so far. Jameson Williams is a phenomenal No. 2, with 52 catches for 936 yards and seven touchdowns of his own. Sam LaPorta is one of the most dangerous tight ends in the league, but is currently on injured reserve. Gibbs is also a dangerous threat out of the backfield, catching 62 passes for 494 yards and three touchdowns.
Bottom line: No matter if it's on the ground or through the air, the Lions can create explosive plays better than any other team in the league (7.8%). It's much easier said than done, but the best way to try and limit the Lions is to sell out on first and second down to create third-and-long as often as possible. It won't be enough to completely shut down this unit, but might be enough to but a cap on it. That could help the offense take advantage of a Lions defense that's not nearly as formidable.
THE DEFENSE
Defensive coordinator/play-caller: Kelvin Sheppard (2025-present)
Sheppard's most notable previous jobs: Lions linebackers coach (2022-2024), Lions outside linebackers coach (2021), LSU director of player development (2020)
• Total yards per game: 337.9 (21st)
• Passing yards per game: 231.1 (24th)
• Rushing yards per game: 106.7 (13th)
• Points per game: 24.6 (23rd)
• Yards per play: 5.4 (T-16th)
• Takeaways: 17 (T-11th)
• EPA/play: 0.017 (18th)
• EPA/dropback: 0.073 (18th)
• EPA/rush: -0.079 (16th)
• Third down efficiency: 36.8% (10th)
• Red zone touchdown efficiency: 61.7% (23rd)
• Base defense usage: 61.92% (1st)
• Nickel usage: 34.44% (31st)
• Dime usage: 0% (T-31st)
• Man coverage: 43.4% (1st)
• Zone coverage: 54.7% (32nd)
• Single-high usage (MFC): 58.5% (5th)
• Two-high usage (MFO): 41.5% (28th)
• Cover 1 usage: 31.7% (2nd)
• Cover 2 man usage: 5.3% (2nd)
• Blitz rate: 32.5% (4th)
• Sacks: 39 (7th)
• Pressure rate: 37.8% (6th)
The Lions have a very aggressive defense that starts with a very talented front, led by Aidan Hutchinson. While he only has 9.5 sacks this season, he's a very versatile edge defender that can make plays in coverage, too. He not only has three passes defensed, but also one interception he returned for 58 yards. Hutchinson has the likes of Jack Campbell behind him at linebacker. One Steelers coach told me this week that Campbell is an "absolute machine." And considering his 143 tackles, five sacks and three forced fumbles, that's not an outlandish description.
However, for as good as their defensive front can be, the Lions' secondary has been completely wrecked by injuries. Key defensive backs Terrion Arnold and Brian Branch are currently on injured reserve. Starting safety Kerby Joseph has been limited to only six games this season, and is out yet again this week. Cornerback D.J. Reed has played only eight games. They are insanely thin all throughout the secondary. It's no coincidence they are in the bottom third of the NFL in pass defense.
To help circumvent the injuries to the secondary, the Lions run out of their base defense more than any other team in the NFL, meaning they usually only have four defensive backs on the field. How Arthur Smith chooses to attack that could make or break the offense. Going with big personnel could be running right into what the Lions want them to do. Or, Smith could trot out more three-receiver sets and try to stretch them out.
THE SPECIAL TEAMS
Jake Bates is in his second season as placekicker for the Lions, and he's not exactly been the most reliable. He's made only 21 of his 27 field goal attempts and he's missed two of his extra point attempts. Of his six misses on field goal attempts, four have come beyond 50 yards and the other two in the 40-49 range. Jack Fox is in his sixth season as the Lions' punter, coming off being named first-team All-Pro in 2024. This season, he's averaging a career-low 45.8 yards per punt. Wide receiver Kalif Raymond handles punt returns, and he's run one back for a touchdown this season. Running back Jacob Saylors is the primary kick returner, averaging 26.8 yards per return.
THE INJURY REPORT
Ruled OUT:
• Kerby Joseph, S (knee) -- Joseph didn't practice all week. He's one of the Lions' starting safeties, which further weakens a decimated Detroit secondary. Thomas Harper is next in line to play in Joseph's stead.
• *Giovanni Manu, OT (knee) -- Manu is working his way back from injured reserve. After being limited all week, he's still not ready to play.
Ruled as QUESTIONABLE:
• Trystan Colon, OL (wrist) -- Colon was limited all week in practice. He's the backup center.
• Taylor Decker, OT (shoulder/rest) -- Decker didn't practice Wednesday, was limited on Thursday, then didn't practice again on Friday. He's the Lions' starting left tackle. His absence would be a significant loss. Dan Skipper is next in line if Decker can't play.
• Graham Glasgow, C (knee) -- Glasgow popped up on Thursday as a non-participant in practice, then didn't practice again Friday. He's the starting center, which would be another significant loss if he can't play.
• *Christian Mahogany, G (fibula) -- Mahogany fully practiced Wednesday and Thursday, but was limited on Friday. He's working his way back from injured reserve.
• Amik Robertson, CB (hand) -- Robertson was limited all week in practice. He's one of the Lions' current starting cornerbacks. Decimation really doesn't begin to describe what's happened to Detroit's secondary. Khalil Dorsey and Rock Ya-Sin would be in line for more snaps if Robertson doesn't play.
Players on injury report, but cleared to play:
• Kayode Awosika, G (foot)
• Thomas Harper, S (concussion)
• Sione Vaki, RB (thumb)
* - in 21-day window to return from injured reserve
Players on injured reserve/PUP:
• Terrion Arnold, CB
• Brian Branch, DB
• Zach Cunningham, LB
• Dan Jackson, S
• Jamarco Jones, OT
• Sam LaPorta, TE
• Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB
• Colby Sorsdal, OL
• Ezekiel Turner, LB
• Brock Wright, TE
• Josh Paschal, EDGE
• Levi Onwuzurike, DL
QUOTABLE
"Steelers, man. Got a lot of respect for this team, got a lot of respect for Mike Tomlin, been doing it for a long time, heck of a coach. Their brand of football, same style, always competitive. And once again, they're in the race for this division over there. They do it the right way, they do it the hard way, and they make you try to earn it at the end of the game. So, we know this'll be one of those physical battles. We've got to play smart, take care of the football and be very efficient. But he's always run a good program, and we know we've got our hands full." -- Dan Campbell on the Steelers
"I'd love it if he threw me another one. That'd be great. He's a competitor. He's been doing it at a high level for a long time so we all have a ton of respect for him. He's a focus this week for sure." -- Aidan Hutchinson on playing Aaron Rodgers, who's picked him off before
"I think that has been the hallmark of who they are for however long they have been successful there. Which is a long time. They are a tough, physical team. They are AFC North. They play downhill. They are strong. That's what they pride themselves on." -- Jared Goff on Steelers' physicality
"It just gives another element, right? Gives them another element. If you're able to get the running back out and he's a good route runner, then you get isolated on the linebacker. We're fortunate we've got some pretty good backers here, so that helps. But yet it's still a matchup that I would say most offenses are always looking for in general, is can you find that? And I like Gainwell, he's a good back. And he is, he's versatile. He's got vision, he's pretty sneaky that way, shifty. And he is a good receiver." -- Dan Campbell on Kenneth Gainwell's versatility
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