On Sunday the Detroit Lions welcome the Pittsburgh Steelers for a game that could prove pivotal in both teams’ seasons. Both teams are 8-6 and with 3 games to go, neither team has any real security when it comes to the playoffs. This will at least provide some potential juice for both of the teams and make for an entertaining game.
As it stands the Lions are the 8th seed in the NFC and sit 1.5 games behind the 7th seed. Dan Campbell’s Lions must win out if they want to have any hope of the playoffs. With the Packers playing the Bears on Saturday, they should get some sort of a helping hand. A loss would all but eliminate the Lions from the playoffs, while a win would give them a 45% chance of making the postseason. Per the NFL.
The Steelers on the other hand, are in a slightly different predicament. At 8-6, they currently sit 1 in 4th in the AFC, a win ahead of division rivals the Ravens. Even if they lose this game, the NFL gives them a 56% chance of making the playoffs. It’s an excellent position to be in, the odds are very much in their favour. Though it is the lowest percentage of any AFC team in those playoff spots.
While playoff dreams should be enough to get both teams fired up, there are some extra curricular’s involved that could give more juice. Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers and the Detroit Lions are not unfamiliar with one another. Rodgers spent 18 years in Green Bay with 15 as the starter and there should still be some remnants of that NFC North rivalry at play. Rodgers’ last game as a Packer was a 20-16, playoff missing loss to the Lions. While the Lions went 8-18 against Rodgers during his time in the NFC North. Rodgers may want some revenge, and Detroit would love to get one over on their former division foe. Lions fans will be doing their best to give the 44-year-old anything but a warm welcome.
Details
Date: Sunday 21st December
Time: 4:25pm (ET), 9:25pm (UK)
Place: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
Officiating Crew
Referee: Carl Cheffers
This weeks referee is multi-time Super Bowl referee Carl Cheffers. Cheffers was the official for the NFL’s first International Series game of 2026 when the Chargers beat the Chiefs in Sau Paulo in week1. He was also the official when the Lions travelled to Cincinanati in week 5.
Cheffers’ crew has thrown 238 flags in 13 games so far, the 4th most in the entire league. Out of those 238 only 202 have stood, equating to 15.5 flag a game, the 2nd most in the entire league.
Roster Updates
Lions
The Lions will be without Kerby Joseph, who led the NFL in INTs last season. He’s been out since going out against the Chiefs with a knee injury. They will also be depleted on the offensive line, like they have been for much of the 2025 season. Giovanni Manu is also out, with Taylor Decker, Trystan Colon, Graham Glasgow and Christian Mahogany all questionable to play. Amik Robertson is also questionable after being in limited practice all week.
As has been the case for the majority of the season, it’s the offensive line and defensive backs where the Lions are struggling to keep healthy guys.
Steelers
The Steelers will be without starting corner James Pierre, starting LG Isaac Seumalo and OLB T.J Watt. These are 3 huge losses for Pittsburgh. T.J Watt is still fighting to return following hospitalisation due to a lung problem. Another potential big miss would be DE Nick Herbig. While Herbig isn’t a consistent starter for the Steelers, he’s played a pivotal role in their defensive setup. He’s listed as doubtful after missing Wednesday & Thursday practices and being limited in practice on Friday. Aaron Rodgers is listed as good-to-go on Sunday, he’s dealing with a left wrist injury but this hasn’t limited him in practice.
Lions’ Keys to the Game
If you’re to believe PFF rankings, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Lions would be clear favourites. Their offense ranks 2nd in the league, as opposed to Pittsburgh ranking 23rd. Their defense ranks 4th, whereas the Steelers ranks 13th. The Lions, however, have struggled offensively this year – particularly in comparison to previous years. The Lions need to keep Goff upright and get the run going early. While the Steelers’ defensive line is depleted, Mike Tomlin will make sure they apply pressure to the Lions’ offensive line.
The defense is what worries me, though. The Lions are missing plenty of talent in the backfield, so the defensive line needs to keep stepping up. Getting Rodgers under-pressure early, and not allowing him to get into rhythm is key for defensive success. It’s easier said than done, though. Rodgers is excellent at reading coverages, making adjustments and navigating pressure. 21 seasons in the league comes with a LOT of experience.
History
This fixture has been played 33 times historically, with the Steelers holding a slender 17-14-2 advantage in the series. The first was in 1934, when the Detroit Lions defeated Pittsburgh Pirates 40-3. In fact, it wouldn’t be until their fifth meeting in 1940 that the then Steelers would get a win over the Lions.
The series was dominated by Detroit until 1962, due to the Lions being somewhat of a dominant force in the 40s and 50s. The Lions however, have only beat the Steelers twice since. The first of which was a 45-3 drubbing in 1983, the second was a 19-16 OT win in 1998. Both of which were at the Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit. Due to the Lions being NFC and Steelers being AFC, this will be only their 3rd home game against the Steelers since that ’98 win.
The last time these 2 teams met was in 2021 and it ended up marking an important milestone in Lions recent history. Detroit entered the game 0-8 and fresh off a bye week in Dan Campbell’s first season. The game ended in a 16-16 tie, sending the Lions to 0-8-1 and earning them their first non-loss under Dan Campbell.
Betting Lines
Moneyline: Lions 3/10, Steelers 27/10
Spread: Lions -7
Over/Under: 51.5
lines per BetMGM are correct as of 10pm UK time on the 19th of December 2025
How to Watch
For US based fans, this game being broadcast by CBS. For us UK based fans, buckle up as there are 3 ways you can watch this matchup on Sunday.
The game WILL be available. live on GamePass. However, if you don’t have GamePass, don’t worry. Sky Sports will also be showing the game. If you don’t have Sky Sports either, you STILL should not worry. The game will be available for FREE on Channel 5. You get the Lions, you get the Lions, EVERYBODY GETS THE LIONS.
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