Sunday, December 21, 2025

Post Game Lions Links for Sunday 12-21-25

Articles:

RECAP: Lions vs. Steelers:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/recap-lions-vs-steelers-goff-stbrown-gibbs-hutchinson




Lions' Playoff Hopes Plummet After Crushing Loss to Steelers:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/news/lions-playoff-hopes-plummet-crushing-loss-steelers

Disastrous Defense Sinks Detroit Lions, Fall, 29-24, to Pittsburgh Steelers:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/onsi/news/disastrous-defense-sinks-detroit-lions-fall-29-24-to-steelers



Lions, Steelers recap: Detroit’s season on brink after failed comeback:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lions-game-recaps/153187/lions-steelers-final-score-recap-highlights-news

Five reasons the Lions lost a crucial game to the Steelers; playoff hopes diminished:  https://lionslowdown.com/2025/12/22/five-reasons-the-lions-lost-a-crucial-game-to-the-steelers-playoff-hopes-diminished/

Lions fall to Steelers as Detroit sees playoff chances slip:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/sports/lions-fall-steelers-detroit-sees-playoff-chances-slip


Penalty erases Detroit Lions game-winning touchdown to almost surely end their playoff hopes:  https://www.clickondetroit.com/sports/2025/12/22/penalty-erases-detroit-lions-game-winning-touchdown-to-almost-surely-end-their-playoff-hopes/

NFL Week 16: Biggest questions, takeaways for every game (Lions - With two games left against division foes, what is the Lions' biggest concern? The ground game. It is extremely alarming that the Lions' ground game was held to 12 carries for 15 rushing yards. Both Detroit running backs Jahmyr Gibbs (2 rush yards) and David Montgomery (14) were consistently bottled up by the Steelers defense. The Lions needed to win out to position themselves for a playoff spot, but with the loss, that now seems unlikely with their odds becoming slimmer at reaching the postseason.  Biggest hole in the game plan: The Lions interior offensive line. Starting center Graham Glasgow was ruled inactive ahead of the kickoff with a knee injury and Detroit's interior O-Line struggled to protect Goff, allowing three sacks as it consistently faced heavy pressure. There was a lack of experience within the unit, and it showed as left guard Christian Mahogany was activated from the injured reserve list Saturday, rookie right guard Tate Ratledge is still learning the ropes and Kingsley Eguakun made his first NFL start at center. -- Eric Woodyard):  https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47325576/nfl-week-16-2025-season-questions-takeaways-lessons-stats-recap-every-game

NFL Week 16 Recap: Pittsburgh Steelers 29, Detroit Lions 24:  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-16-recap-pittsburgh-steelers-29-detroit-lions-24

NFL Week 16 takeaways: What We Learned from Sunday's 12 games (Steelers at Lions - Kevin Patra's takeaways:  1. Steelers hold on for wild win in Detroit. Pittsburgh held Detroit out of the end zone on fourth down to secure a wacky road win, avoiding a late collapse. Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was called for offensive pass interference at the goal line, which nullified a lateral touchdown to Jared Goff that would have given Detroit the win at the buzzer. The Steelers held on after nearly losing a 12-point fourth quarter lead. Pittsburgh controlled much of the second half, but Chris Boswell's missed field goal gave the Lions a lifeline. An offense that was stuck in the mud much of the final two quarters moved the ball to the goal line. However, an Isaac TeSlaa offensive pass interference call negated one touchdown, and the St. Brown penalty sunk Detroit. The Steelers' win keeps them in control of the AFC North ahead of the final two games, including a Week 18 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. The Lions' loss detonates their chances of returning to the postseason. Next Gen Stats puts them at a 6% chance to make the playoffs, needing two wins and two Green Bay losses.  2. Rodgers played maestro. Aaron Rodgers picked apart the Lions' defense with precision and accuracy. Rodgers splashed only one big play – a ridiculous 45-yard touchdown catch by Kenneth Gainwell – but diced up the Lions with short throws. Rogers finished 27 of 41 for 266 yards and a TD. The Steelers QB did his best work on key downs. Pittsburgh repeatedly moved the chains on third-and-longs, keeping drives alive and the Lions offense on the sideline. Rodgers went 10 of 13 for 105 yards on third downs, per Next Gen Stats. After Rodgers softened up the Lions' D, the ground game took over. Jaylen Warren blasted off on a pair of 45-yard touchdown scampers to give the Steelers a double-digit fourth quarter lead. Pittsburgh rushed for 230 yards on the day with two scores. It took some time, but this is the multi-faceted offense Pittsburgh thought it would have with Rodgers. 3. Bad start to second half sinks Lions. Detroit’s defense couldn’t get off the field for much of the second half, allowing 323 yards and 17 points in the final two frames. The offense didn’t find a groove until it was down double digits. Detroit ran just three third quarter plays, for negative-3 yards and a safety. The final three drives showed the Lions' firepower when things are clicking, but the lulls have been pivotal in a roller-coaster season. The running game was nonexistent once again. Detroit gained just 15 yards on 12 carries, with Jahmyr Gibbs held to 2 yards on seven totes. Behind a makeshift offensive line, Jared Goff’s head was spinning for drives at a time, and he uncharacteristically missed several targets. Detroit went 6 of 15 on third downs and just 1 of 4 in the red zone in a five-point loss. It’s somewhat poetic that Dan Campbell’s club saw its season marred on a missed fourth down to end the game.  Next Gen Stats Insight for Steelers-Lions (via NFL Pro): Jared Goff struggled against the blitz in Week 16, completing just 4 of 12 attempts for 36 yards with two sacks when the Steelers sent extra rushers. The Steelers reduced their blitz rate in the second half (31.8% to 20.0%), allowing Goff to find more success against four or fewer rushers.  NFL Research: Pittsburgh set a new NFL record with its 22nd straight season at .500 or better (DAL had 21). Mike Tomlin is the 11th HC to reach 200 career wins (including postseason).):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-week-16-takeaways-what-we-learned-from-sunday-s-12-games

Steelers win over Lions ends in controversy: Making sense of play:  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/lions-steelers-controversial-final-play-lateral-penalty/


Lions' playoff hopes dealt a huge blow as their comeback vs. Steelers falls short in loss:  https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/lions-playoff-hopes-dealt-a-huge-blow-as-their-comeback-vs-steelers-falls-short-in-loss-005415527.html

The Good, Bad and Ugly, NFL Week 16: Jaguars Have a Shot at AFC’s No. 1 Seed (Ugly: The Lions are going to have a long offseason ahead.  Last year, the Lions won 15 games despite a crush of injuries. This season, they were deemed one of the favorites to reach Super Bowl LX, potentially giving Detroit its first Lombardi Trophy.  Now, after a wild ending featuring an Amon-Ra St. Brown offensive pass interference penalty to negate a game-winning Jared Goff touchdown at the gun, the Lions are 8–7. Unless Detroit wins out and the Packers lose their final two games, the Lions will be home for the postseason, a fate Dan Campbell’s team hasn’t suffered since 2022.  For Detroit, hard questions must be asked. The offense hasn’t missed Ben Johnson, ranking third in yards and first in points entering Sunday. However, the defense had a litany of injuries once more and has struggled down the stretch, allowing at least 27 points in each of the Lions’ past five games. It’s a mirror image of what took place in 2024. So what must change for the result to improve?  While no star player is slated for free agency, the Lions are projected to have only $5.8 million in cap space in 2026. Looking at their cap sheet, there are no easy cuts for general manager Brad Holmes to make for extra cap space. In short, answers must come from the draft and a few minor signings.  The Lions were supposed to be a championship contender. Instead, they failed, and now face a long winter of questions.):  https://www.si.com/nfl/good-bad-ugly-nfl-week-sixteen-nfc-east-repeat#_zgmcg8jd5

Here’s How the NFL Should Have Handled the DK Metcalf–Lions Fan Incident:  https://www.si.com/nfl/dk-metcalf-lions-fan-incident-how-nfl-handle

Amon-Ra St. Brown Penalty Negates Lions' Bonkers Game-Winning Touchdown vs. Steelers:  https://www.si.com/nfl/amon-ra-st-brown-penalty-negates-lions-game-winning-touchdown-steelers

Explaining the Lions-Steelers final play, penalty call that led to Pittsburgh win:  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/lions-steelers-final-play-amon-ra-st-brown-jared-goff-penalty/5873b50934d8f5ffa6206a7c








Ref called Lions’ game-losing penalty in most devastating way possible:  https://ftw.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2025/12/21/lions-ref-penalty-carl-cheffers-steelers-video/87877122007/


NFL World Reacts to Controversial Ending in Lions-Steelers Game: ‘Such an Awful Way to Lose’:  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-world-reacts-controversial-ending-lions-steelers-game/

NFL World Reacts to Steelers’ Surprise Win Over Detroit in Week 16: ‘Taking the Soul of the Lions’:  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-world-reacts-to-steelers-surprise-domination-of-detroit/









The Lions’ playoff hopes are in peril after one of the wildest losses of the NFL season:  https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/nfl/lions-playoff-hopes-are-peril-one-wildest-losses-nfl-season-rcna250408

Steelers outlast Lions 29-24 in wild finish when penalty on St. Brown negates Goff's winning TD:  https://apnews.com/article/steelers-lions-score-6668875ff75496f29c851ba61cf307e7

Grades:

CBS (Lions Grade - B-.  The secret might be out on how to stop the Lions: Go all-in on stopping their rushing attack and make Jared Goff beat you. Going into Week 16, the Lions were 0-5 this year when they were held under 100 yards rushing and that's now 0-6 after they were limited to just 15 yards on the ground, their lowest rushing total since 2016. With the game on his back, Jared Goff put up some big numbers and made some big throws, but he also took a beating. The Lions offense looked out-of-sync for nearly 3.5 quarters before turning it on at the end to make it a close game. This was a rough loss for the Lions (8-7), who no longer control their playoff fate. There's a good chance that the Lions are going to miss the postseason for the first time since 2022.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-16-grades-bills-get-c-for-ugly-win-over-browns-chargers-earn-a-after-knocking-off-cowboys/

Video:

Steelers vs. Lions highlights | Week 16:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/steelers-vs-lions-highlights-week-16

Jared Goff's best throws from 364-yard, 3-TD game vs. Steelers | Week 16:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jared-goff-s-best-throws-from-364-yard-3-td-game-vs-steelers-week-16


Raymond outraces the Steelers on a fourth-down TD catch and run:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/raymond-outraces-the-steelers-on-a-fourth-down-td-catch-and-run

HIGHLIGHT: TeSlaa snags a 20-yard TD between two defenders:  https://www.detroitlions.com/video/highlight-teslaa-snags-a-20-yard-td-between-two-defenders

Jake Bates' 36-yard FG ties PIT-DET at 3-3:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jake-bates-36-yard-fg-ties-pit-det-at-3-3

Jameson Williams 21-yard reception pushes Lions into Steelers' territory:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jameson-williams-21-yard-reception-pushes-lions-into-steelers-territory

St. Brown's 24-yard reception sets up Lions inside the red zone: https://www.nfl.com/videos/st-brown-s-24-yard-reception-sets-up-lions-inside-the-red-zone

Raymond's 14-yard reception comes on WR screen:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/raymond-s-14-yard-reception-comes-on-wr-screen

Jameson Williams breaks free for a 21-yard gain:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/jameson-williams-breaks-free-for-a-21-yard-gain

Amon-Ra St. Brown separates from his defender for a 20-yard reception:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/amon-ra-st-brown-separates-from-his-defender-for-a-20-yard-reception

David Montgomery's 17-yard rush sets Lions up in the red zone:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/david-montgomery-s-17-yard-rush-sets-lions-up-in-the-red-zone

Goff finds Anthony Firkser for an 18-yard gain:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/goff-finds-anthony-firkser-for-an-18-yard-gain

Kalif Raymond's shiftiness pays off in third-down conversion:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/kalif-raymond-s-shiftiness-pays-off-in-third-down-conversion


Hutchinson beats two blockers to bag his second sack of Rodgers:  https://www.nfl.com/videos/hutchinson-beats-two-blockers-to-bag-his-second-sack-of-rodgers



Posted by LionsFan at 9:46 PM

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