NFL Week 16: Detroit Lions Vs Steelers Keys To The Game

Its do or die in Detroit! Whichever team controls early downs — and forces the other out of its preferred identity — will own this matchup.

Dec 21, 2025

Detroit and Pittsburgh meet today in a late‑December matchup with playoff implications on both sides. Detroit brings one of the league’s most balanced offenses, while Pittsburgh leans on a physical defense and a ball‑control identity. Here are the five biggest keys for each team, broken down offense vs. defense and defense vs. offense.

DETROIT LIONS KEYS

Win Early Downs Against Pittsburgh’s Front

Pittsburgh still builds everything around its defensive line. Detroit must stay ahead of the sticks by:

Using motion to identify coverage
Mixing gap and zone runs to keep the Steelers’ linebackers from triggering downhill
Avoiding 3rd‑and‑long where Pittsburgh’s pass rush becomes lethal

If Detroit stays in 2nd‑and‑5 or better, the entire playbook stays open.

Protect the Edges

Even in 2025, the Steelers’ identity is edge pressure—Detroit’s tackles must:

Handle wide‑9 alignments
Use extra blockers - neutralize Jack Sawyer
Pass off stunts cleanly
Keep Jared Goff from drifting into pressure

If Goff has a firm pocket, Detroit’s intermediate passing game becomes nearly unstoppable.

Side Note: The interior pressure for the Steelers may be the best in the league. Lions have their hands full with Cameron Heyward, Alex Highsmith & Keanu Benton.

Attack Pittsburgh’s Linebackers in Coverage

The Steelers’ linebackers can hit, but they can be manipulated in space. Detroit should:

Use tight end crossers, yes even with the unknown at the position the Steelers are vulnerable here
Leak Jahmyr Gibbs into mismatches
Run play‑action to freeze the second level (requires the ground game to be effective)

This is where Detroit can create chunk plays without forcing deep shots.

Finish Drives in the Red Zone

Pittsburgh tightens up inside the 20. Detroit must:

Target the endzone outside the 20-yard line. The Steelers are just too good inside the redzone.
Use condensed formations to create leverage
Lean on their power run game with extra blockers
Use Gibbs short‑area quickness on option routes out of the slot
Field goals won’t beat a Steelers team that wants to shorten the game.

Defensively: Force Pittsburgh Into Obvious Passing Situations

Detroit’s defense thrives when it can dictate. The Lions need to:

Win on first down
Limit Gainwell and the Steelers’ downhill run game
Make Rodgers beat them from the pocket

If Detroit forces Pittsburgh into a drop‑back game, the Lions’ pass rush and disguised coverages take over.

Stat Of The Day: Hutchinson 2 Sacks Lions Defense 4 All Day

STEELERS KEYS

Collapse the Pocket, Not Just Rush It

Detroit’s offense is timing‑based. Pittsburgh must:

Push the pocket from the interior
Prevent Goff from stepping up
Force Goff to throw off‑platform

Goff is elite in rhythm — the Steelers must break that rhythm.

Win the Turnover Battle

Detroit rarely beats itself. Pittsburgh must manufacture mistakes by:

Punching at the ball on runs
Jumping intermediate routes
Force Detroit into uncomfortable down‑and‑distance situations

A short field could swing the entire game.

Offensively: Commit to the Run to Control Tempo

Pittsburgh’s best chance is to:

Grind out long drives
Keep Detroit’s offense on the sideline
Wear down Detroit’s front with physicality

If the Steelers can turn this into a 55‑snap game instead of a 70‑snap game, they tilt the matchup in their favor.

Take Selective Deep Shots

Detroit’s secondary can be stressed vertically if Pittsburgh:

Uses max protection—expect Hutchinson & Al-Quadin Muhammad in the backfield often
Schemes deep crossers and post shots
Forces Detroit’s safeties to declare early

The Steelers don’t need volume — they need two or three explosive plays to loosen Detroit’s front.

Defensively: Eliminate Detroit’s YAC

Detroit is one of the league’s best yards‑after‑catch teams. Pittsburgh must:

Tackle cleanly in space
Rally to the ball
Prevent 5‑yard throws from becoming 20‑yard gains

If the Steelers keep Detroit’s receivers in front of them, they can force long drives and increase the odds of a mistake.

ROCK'S FINAL TAKE

Detroit wants to turn this into a possession‑rich, high‑efficiency game where their offense dictates pace. Pittsburgh wants a slugfest, leaning on defense, field position, and physicality.

Whichever team controls early downs — and forces the other out of its preferred identity — will own this matchup.