Lions improbable rally reversed after game-winning touchdown wiped out by penalty
Detroit — The Detroit Lions’ season was potentially ended by a penalty in a 29-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at Ford Field.
Nearly pulling off an improbable rally when wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown lateraled the ball to quarterback Jared Goff as time expired for a game-winning touchdown, the score was nullified by an offensive pass interference call against the receiver.
That came minutes after a St. Brown go-ahead touchdown catch was wiped out by another offensive pass interference penalty.
Despite the worst rushing performance by the team in two decades, and allowing two long touchdown runs to Steelers running back Jaylen Warren in the fourth quarter, the Lions had stormed back from 12 down to nearly steal a victory that resided in the jaws of defeat much of the afternoon.
Taking over with 2:06 remaining, down five, after Pittsburgh (9-6) missed a field goal, Detroit (8-7) got bailed out by a pass interference penalty on fourth down and got 15 more free yards on the next snap when Goff was tripped by Steelers defender Alex Highsmith.
Goff then found St. Brown on a screen pass that gained 24 yards into the red zone, followed by another screen to TeSlaa to the 1-yard line.
Detroit appeared to grab the lead on the ensuing snap, a 1-yard scoring toss to St. Brown, but it was wiped off the board by an offensive pass interference flag against TeSlaa.
On third-and-goal from the 9, TeSlaa couldn’t hang on to a touchdown while being taken to the ground on the high ball.
That set up the final sequence, which the officials discussed for a couple of minutes before announcing their verdict.
Emblematic of their season-long struggles to meet preseason expectations, the Lions were let down by both trenches in Sunday’s loss.
The Lions mustered just 15 rushing yards and allowed two long scoring runs in the fourth quarter. While technically still alive for a postseason spot, the defeat has put Detroit’s hopes for a third consecutive playoff berth on life support.
The 15 rushing yards on 12 carries were the fewest by a Lions team in nearly two decades and the team’s third-lowest tally of the Super Bowl era. Meanwhile, it was the second straight game the team struggled to defend the run, allowing Warren to go untouched for two scores, each 45 yards, six minutes apart in the fourth quarter.
The first half was a defensive struggle until Detroit found the end zone late in the second quarter to go ahead 10-3. However, the Steelers managed to counter after linebacker Alex Anzalone stumbled on a deep ball in the closing seconds, allowing quarterback Aaron Rodgers to connect with running back Kenneth Gainwell for the tying score.
The Steelers dominated possession in the third quarter, despite turning the ball over in the red zone. The Lions offense had just three snaps, with quarterback Jared Goff getting tackled for a safety on the third. The Steelers drove the length of the field to close out the frame, kicking a short field goal to open the fourth quarter.
Pittsburgh extended its lead to 12 twice in the fourth quarter with Warren’s scoring runs, but the Lions managed to counter each time to keep it close.
Fully abandoning the run, Goff led the Lions on back-to-back touchdown drives, connecting with Kalif Raymond for a 27-yard touchdown on the first and running back Jahmyr Gibbs for a short score on the second with a little more than four minutes remaining.
The Steelers responded by driving into field goal range, but Boswell missed the 37-yarder, opening the door for the Lions to complete the improbable comeback.
Scoring summary
First quarter
● 9:21 — Pittsburgh moved into Detroit territory with an 18-yard, third-down completion. However, Aidan Hutchinson recorded a sack two snaps later, and Alex Anzalone batted down Rodgers’ pass on third down, leading to a 59-yard field goal for Chris Boswell. STEELERS 3, LIONS 0
Second quarter
● 10:10 — Detroit cruised into the red zone with a couple of long passes to Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown, but quickly stalled inside the 20-yard line, settling for a 36-yard Jake Bates field goal. STEELERS 3, LIONS 3
● 1:55 — Smoothly working their four-minute operation, Detroit raced 62 yards in six plays with Isaac TeSlaa providing the first and last catch during the series. After opening the possession with a 14-yard catch and run, the rookie receiver hauled in a 20-yard post pattern in the end zone between two defenders to put Detroit ahead. LIONS 10, STEELERS 3
● 0:02 — Taking a deep shot while trying to get into field goal range, Rodgers heaved a back-foot ball to running back Kenneth Gainwell. The intended target and Anzalone got tangled, drawing a flag for pass interference against the defender. Still, Gainwell managed to catch the ball on his back, get up, and run into the end zone untouched for a 45-yard touchdown. LIONS 10, STEELERS 10
Third quarter
● 9:42 — Working in the shadow of their own goal line after the defense forced a turnover, Goff was sacked in the end zone on third down by blitzing defensive back Kyle Dugger for a safety. STEELERS 12, LIONS 10
Fourth quarter
● 14:58 — After a lengthy, 17-play drive where the Steelers converted on fourth down twice, they committed two penalties deep in the red zone, including an offensive pass interference that nullified a touchdown. Instead of trying for a third fourth-down conversion, they took a short field goal from Boswell to extend their lead. STEELERS 15, LIONS 10
● 12:23 — Following a three-and-out for the Lions offense, the Steelers needed four plays to put the home team on the ropes. With sloppy gap integrity to counter a zone run, running back Warren sliced through the line of scrimmage and burst into the second level, going untouched for a 45-yard scoring romp. STEELERS 22, LIONS 10
● 8:39 — A pulse. Abandoning an ineffective ground game, Goff completed 5-of-7 on the quick-strike series, capped by a 27-yard crossing pattern to Kalif Raymond to get Detroit back within a score. STEELERS 22, LIONS 17
● 6:41 — Despite having the Steelers in first-and-20 after a penalty, the Lions immediately gave up a first down catch to DK Metcalf, followed by another 45-yard touchdown run for Warren. STEELERS 29, LIONS 17
● 4:11 — Detroit managed to counterpunch with a 10-play touchdown drive exclusively through the air. Goff found running back Jahmyr Gibbs for the score from 4 yards out. STEELERS 29, LIONS 24
Turnovers
● With the Steelers knocking on the door to open the second half, safety Thomas Harper stripped the ball from tight end Darnell Washington and linebacker Jack Fox recovered the loose ball. Initially ruled down by officials, the Lions challenged the call, getting it overturned following a replay review.
Key stats
● Goff completed 25-of-54 for 364 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions.
● David Montgomery had 14 yards on four carries, while Gibbs managed just 2 yards with seven carries.
● Gibbs supplemented with 10 catches for 66 yards, while Jameson Williams paced the team with 70 yards on five catches.
● Jack Campbell racked up a team-high 16 tackles, while Aidan Hutchinson recorded a pair of sacks.
Notable
● Detroit wasted a 13-play drive in the opening quarter when they couldn’t convert fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line.
● Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf was captured throwing a punch at a fan in the stands by the broadcast. The action was not seen by the officials, and lacking precedent, the league didn’t call in to eject the player.
Reached for comment, a league spokesman said, “There was no flag on the field, so New York cannot weigh in with regard to a potential disqualification.”
Injuries
● Safety Avonte Maddox, who was evaluated for a concussion but returned earlier in the game, exited late in the fourth quarter with an undisclosed injury.
Inactives
The Lions made the following players inactive for Sunday’s game: Guard Kayode Awosika, offensive lineman Trystan Colon, center Graham Glasgow, defensive lineman Tyler Lacy, wide receiver Dominic Lovett, safety Jalen Mills and defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo.
Colon (wrist) and Glasgow (knee) were questionable coming into the contest. The other five were healthy scratches.
Next game
The Lions have a short turnaround, heading to Minnesota to play the Vikings on Christmas Day.
Both OPI calls were legit in my opinion. St. Brown pushed off and Teslaa ran a pick. Teslaa had the game in his hands and couldn't hold on, so we had our shots. Overall, we didn't deserve that win given how awful our defense was and inconsistent our offense was. Running game is a serious concern. I think if we get TA, Rakestraw, Kerby, and BB back and healthy next year we'll be better, but still not a great defense. Our pass rush sucks and I worry Shep isn't the answer, but who knows if this was a learning season. My #1 concern is O-line, because that's a project that might take more than one year to fix. Personally, I think we need a new OC so Dan can focus on the macro game strategy and not calling plays. Regardless, that's three heartbreaking seasons in a row, though, and it's hard to keep emotionally investing, but I'm sure I'll be all-in come next season like I have been for 40+ years. Safe holidays to everyone.
Full credit for not giving up. Zero credit for getting pushed around by a mediocre team all day.