Friday, December 19, 2025

Lions Links for Friday 12-19-25

Articles:







Will Steelers Game Be Final Home Game For RB David Montgomery?:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/news/will-steelers-game-be-final-home-game-david-montgomery

Lions Need ‘To Match’ Steelers’ Energy, Physicality:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/news/lions-need-to-match-steelers-energy-physicality









Aaron Rodgers on Detroit Lions, playing at Ford Field and Aidan Hutchinson:  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/aaron-rodgers-on-detroit-lions-ford-field-aidan-hutchinson

Jameson Williams shining off the field and on it in Detroit: "I just want to make kids happy and be a light to some who need it":  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/jameson-williams-shining-off-the-field-and-on-it-in-detroit

PFF Grades and Data: Key insights for the Week 16 NFL games (Pittsburgh Steelers @ Detroit Lions:  Steelers 27-year-old former undrafted free agent Dylan Cook had a strong performance in his first career start at left tackle in Week 15, earning an 89.9 PFF pass-blocking grade with zero pressures allowed on 30 pass-blocking snaps.  Across 18 matchups against Bradley Chubb and three against Chop Robinson, Cook did not lose a single rep as a pass blocker. Next up is the Lions edge duo of Aidan Hutchinson (league leader in pressures) and Al-Quadin Muhammad, whose 130 combined pressures rank second among all edge duos.  Before Detroit’s Week 8 bye, Jared Goff had completed just four of 13 deep attempts (31%), earning a 45.2 PFF passing grade. Since the bye, he has completed 12 of 21 deep attempts (57%), more than doubling his PFF passing grade (95.4). He was close to perfect against the Rams in Week 15, completing four of five deep attempts for 95 yards and two touchdowns.  With an aggressive pass rush that doesn’t give quarterbacks much time in the pocket, the Steelers have faced the league’s lowest deep attempt rate (7%).):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-pff-grades-data-key-insights-week-16-games-2025

The 10 best NFL player matchups to watch in Week 16 (Pittsburgh Steelers EDGE Alex Highsmith vs. Detroit Lions T Taylor Decker - The Steelers look to maintain momentum as they head to Detroit, where the Lions are fighting to stay alive in the playoff race. Although both teams are somewhat depleted, two standouts should still match up.  Pittsburgh seems likely to be without both T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig, leaving the onus on Highsmith to carry the freight. This year, he’s procured an 82.1 overall PFF grade, his third straight season of at least an 82.0 mark. Moreover, Highsmith is one of five qualified edge defenders with a 75.0-plus PFF pass-rush and run-defense grade.  Decker has also fought through some injuries, but he’s been solid when on the field. His 71.0 PFF pass-blocking grade is 32nd among qualified tackles, but his 97.0 pass-blocking efficiency score is tied for 20th. On top of that, Decker sits in the 57th percentile in pass-blocking grade on true pass sets.  Highsmith almost exclusively aligns in front of the left tackle, although it remains to be seen if Pittsburgh will use him similarly down two edge rushers. Either way, it’s highly probable that he and Decker should cross paths — pitting two very good players against each other.):  https://www.pff.com/news/the-10-best-nfl-player-matchups-to-watch-in-week-16

2025 Milestones: Records and numbers to watch in Week 16 (5. Just throw it to Amon-Ra St. Brown.  Amon-Ra St. Brown's 524 career receptions are the most by any player since he entered the NFL in 2021 – the only player with 500-or-more catches in that span.  Those 524 are also already an NFL record for most receptions by a player in their first five seasons. He's topped 100 in each of the last three seasons, and with six more catches in 2025, he'll make it four straight seasons reaching the century mark.  Only four other players in NFL history have ever caught at least 100 passes in four-or-more consecutive seasons. Antonio Brown did it in six straight seasons from 2013-18, and Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs and Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison each did so in four consecutive seasons.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2025-milestones-records-and-numbers-to-watch-in-week-16

Steelers vs. Lions prediction: Aaron Rodgers, Jared Goff poised for high-scoring shootout:  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-vs-lions-where-to-watch-pick-odds-prediction/

Steelers WR DK Metcalf Reacts to Aaron Rodgers’ On-Field Move Before Lions Game:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/steelers-news-dk-metcalf-reacts-to-aaron-rodgers-move-before-lions-game



Advanced Metrics Offer Some Interesting Takes on NFL Playoff Scenarios (5. The Lions have no business missing the playoffs - Detroit ranks No. 3 overall in FTN’s DVOA rankings. They also measure well in the betting markets, landing at No. 4 in Inpredictable’s metric. And yet, according to Next Gen Stats they have a 44% chance of reaching the playoffs. If they lose this week to Pittsburgh, their chances fall to 19%. The Lions have faced the sixth-hardest schedule in the NFL, giving them little opportunity to get a few breaks to get healthy (NFL Strength of Schedule Rankings & Ratings | NFL playoff picture ahead of Week 16).):  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/nfl-playoffs-advanced-metrics-betting-statistics


QB Rankings:

NFL Quarterback rankings In Week 16 (5. Jared Goff:  Goff balled out against the Rams’ elite defense in Week 15, throwing for 338 yards and three touchdowns. The Lions might be fighting for their playoff lives, but the elite play of Goff is not the reason for the team’s struggles.):  https://www.thebiglead.com/nfl-quarterback-rankings-in-week-16/

Steelers Media:

Video WATCH: Merril Hoge breaks down Lions' RB Jahmyr Gibbs:  https://www.steelers.com/video/watch-merril-hoge-breaks-down-lions-rb-jahmyr-gibbs

Tomlin and Rodgers are the hot topic in Detroit:  https://www.steelers.com/news/tomlin-and-rodgers-are-the-hot-topic-in-detroit



Dealing with injuries will be the biggest key for the Steelers vs the Lions:  https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/steelers/2025/12/19/steelers-vs-lions-3-keys-victory-nfl/87843287007/


Podcast:

Twentyman in the Huddle: Lions-Steelers Week 16 preview:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/twentyman-in-the-huddle-lions-steelers-week-16-preview

Video:





The 'Mad Minute' on Steelers-Lions in Week 16 | 'GMFB':  https://www.nfl.com/videos/the-mad-minute-on-steelers-lions-in-week-16-gmfb
Posted by LionsFan at 8:57 PM

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