The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to take down the Detroit Lions in Week 16 by a score of 29-24. The game had a crazy ending that some people in Detroit are still complaining about, but the Steelers were in control for most of the contest. The defense for Pittsburgh was outstanding, and that side of the ball set the tone. They made life extremely hard for the Lions, especially on the ground. Detroit could not move the ball effectively, and the only time that the Lions could get anything going on offense was in the fourth quarter when Detroit was running a hurry-up offense.
Matt Freed / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Cam Heyward sacks Lions QB Jared Goff during a game in the 2025 NFL season.
A key reason for Pittsburgh's win was their defense being able to neutralize the rushing attack from Detroit as mentioned. The Lions have one of the most potent offenses in the league, and the reason for that is their rushing attack led by Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Pittsburgh kept both backs in check on Sunday as Gibbs could only muster up two yards on the ground while Montgomery ran for 14 yards. Not being able to run the ball made life hard for Detroit and Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III spoke about that recently during an appearance on 102.5 WDVE.
"It was just a big-time performance by the defense, the d-line, linebackers, all parties involved, to just make their run game and that line non-existent," Austin said. "Seeing Gibbs on TV, I'm like, 'Man, that speed is real.' You didn't see that at all in that game if it was real or not because we never let him get going. It just showed what the entire d-line did, because that takes a group effort to make an offense that has been so successful in the past, it seemed like when they came out from the very beginning, that they weren't in the mood to try to establish the run or try to control the line of scrimmage."
The Lions seem to establish the run in every game they are involved in, but the group could not find a way to do that while taking on Pittsburgh. The Steelers had struggled at times during the 2025 season when it came to defending the run, which was a big concern entering this matchup. Pittsburgh was expected to lose this game by a touchdown, but the team came into the game with a clear focus on shutting down the rushing attack.
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Steelers' Calvin Austin III works out in Pittsburgh during the 2025 offseason.
Austin doesn't think the Lions came out wanting to establish the run, and the wide receiver doesn't think Detroit was in the mood to run the football. It sounds like there is a chance that the Lions could have overlooked the Steelers, but that doesn't seem right considering Detroit really needed this game in order to have a chance at making the postseason.
The wide receiver had nothing but praise for the defense from the Steelers, and he chipped in during the game as well before leaving the matchup with an injury. Austin caught one pass for eight yards to move the chains early in the game, and his status for Week 17 is currently up in the air.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Aaron Rodgers embrace following Pittsburgh's 29-24 win over the Detroit Lions in Week 16 of the 2025 NFL regular season.
Steelers Can Beat Anyone With How The Defense Is Playing Currently
The Steelers' defense has improved as the season has moved along, and that is due to some personnel and schematic changes. The run defense is the biggest improvement, and the pass rush also seems to be more effective than it was to begin the season. The Steelers are still looking to get healthier on that side of the ball as both TJ Watt and Nick Herbig missed Sunday's game in Detroit, but should be back if Pittsburgh is able to host a playoff game.
What do you think about Austin's comments on the Lions? Let us know in the comments below!
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