The Detroit Lions have reached crunch time as they prepare for a must-win Week 16 showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, December 21. With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, Detroit must win out the remainder of the regular season to secure a postseason berth.
Following a tough Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the Lions find themselves with zero margin for error. Every remaining game is critical — starting with Pittsburgh.
Dan Campbell Addresses Costly Loss to Rams
After the loss, Lions head coach Dan Campbell didn’t shy away from pointing out what went wrong defensively.
“It is extremely difficult defensively to defend those guys if you cannot even corral or limit their run game,” Campbell said. “It started there.”
Campbell highlighted breakdowns in fundamentals and execution, noting Detroit struggled to respond to the Rams’ offensive creativity.
“We had nine plays for six yards. That was tough. There were a number of errors… things you can’t get away with against a team like that.”
With the stakes now at their highest point of the season, Detroit will need all of its top playmakers at full strength — especially Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Amon-Ra St. Brown Makes Lions Franchise History
Ahead of the Steelers game, the Detroit Lions announced major news involving Amon-Ra St. Brown.
On Tuesday, December 16, the team revealed that St. Brown now holds the franchise record for most receiving yards through a player’s first five NFL seasons, surpassing Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson.
The Lions also announced another historic milestone:
Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams are now the first wide receiver duo in franchise history to record seven or more receiving touchdowns in consecutive seasons.
St. Brown continues to solidify himself as one of the most productive wide receivers in Lions history — and Detroit will rely heavily on him as the playoff push intensifies.
Detroit Lions Playoff Odds and Remaining Schedule
Following the loss to Los Angeles, NFL research gives the Lions just a 41% chance of reaching the playoffs. To stay alive, Detroit must win its final three games:
vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
vs. Minnesota Vikings
vs. Chicago Bears
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers are considered likely playoff teams, while the Minnesota Vikings are already eliminated.
The Lions and Steelers both enter Week 16 with 8–6 records, but Pittsburgh holds a stronger 61% playoff probability. The matchup is made even more compelling with Aaron Rodgers leading the Steelers — a familiar foe for Lions fans from his years in Green Bay.
Dan Campbell Remains Confident in Lions’ Playoff Push
Despite the uphill battle, Campbell remains optimistic about Detroit’s path forward.
“We still have an opportunity, and we have to make the most of it,” he said.
Campbell emphasized that facing elite competition provides clarity on where the team stands.
“Now you have first-hand knowledge of what the top of the NFC looks like… Doesn’t mean we can’t be there, but now we know what it looks like.”
Lions vs. Steelers: Season on the Line
The Detroit Lions will get their chance to respond Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, with their season essentially on the line. With Amon-Ra St. Brown making franchise history and the playoffs still within reach, Detroit must show its best football when it matters most.
