DETROIT (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers survived a wild finish, pushing Detroit to the brink of playoff elimination and boosting their chances of winning their division for the first time in five years.
Pittsburgh held on for 29-24 win over the Lions on Sunday when Jared Goff’s touchdown on the final play was negated by an offensive pass-interference penalty on Amon-Ra St. Brown.
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“It’s been playoff-type football for us the last three weeks,” Aaron Rodgers said.
The Steelers (9-6) have won three straight after a midseason slump, surging into the AFC North lead with two games remaining.
“I’m just so appreciative of the men that I work with and the fight they displayed individually and collectively,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “Certainly weren’t perfect, a lot of adversity, some of it created by us. But they didn't blink and that’s what’s required this time of year.”
In a couple of weeks, the Lions will likely have a chance to sleep in because their season probably be over.
They almost pulled off an amazing comeback after trailing by 12 points with four-plus minutes left, but they had two touchdowns negated by penalties in the final minute.
On the last play of the game, Goff threw a fourth-down pass to St. Brown just short of the goal line. The receiver pushed off cornerback Jalen Ramsey to get free, and before the Steelers could bring St. Brown to the ground, he threw a lateral to the quarterback to set up an apparent score by Goff.
Officials huddled for a couple of minutes on the field before announcing the decision to the dismay of the crowd.
With 22 seconds left, rookie Isaac TeSlaa was called for pass interference for setting a pick that freed up St. Brown, negating Goff's 1-yard TD pass.
“That's a bad call,” Goff said.
Detroit (8-7) dropped two straight games for the first time in more than three years, ending its outside shot to win a third straight NFC North title. While the Lions haven’t been eliminated from the playoffs, they have an 8% chance of earning a spot, according to the NFL.
“We know the percentages,” said Goff, who threw two of his three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. “We know we’re not eliminated. We know some things need to go our way.”
The running game certainly didn't go Detroit's way on Sunday.
Jaylen Warren had two 45-yard touchdown runs in the fourth quarter and finished with a career-high 143 yards for the Steelers, who had a 230-15 advantage in rushing yards.
Detroit’s defense, which allowed Pittsburgh to gain a season-high 481 yards, forced the Steelers to settle for a 37-yard field-goal try with 2:05 left, and Chris Boswell missed it.
The Lions had a fourth-and-2 from their 35 and Pittsburgh was called for pass interference and tripping on consecutive plays, moving the ball to the Steelers 35 and setting up the wild finish.
Rodgers finished 27 of 41 for 266 yards. He threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Kenneth Gainwell to close the first half that was initially ruled incomplete, then changed to a TD after a review. Gainwell made the catch while lying on his left side and got his right arm under the ball, then popped to his feet and scampered to the end zone.
Goff was sacked by blitzing Kyle Dugger for a safety to give the Steelers a 12-10 lead in the third quarter.
Pittsburgh converted a pair of fourth downs on the ensuing drive and elected not to go for it a third time from the Lions 5, settling for a field goal and a five-point lead after a 17-play, 64-yard drive that took nearly 10 minutes.
The Steelers went ahead 3-0 when Boswell capped their first possession with a 59-yard field goal.
The Lions could have tied the game on the ensuing possession, but coach Dan Campbell went for it on fourth-and-goal from the 3 and Goff’s pass to St. Brown in the end zone was broken up by Joey Porter Jr.
Did Campbell regret that decision after seeing that a field goal in the end would have won the game?
“No,” he said without elaborating.
Metcalf scuffles with a fan
Steelers receiver DK Metcalf swiped at a fan leaning over the railing in the front row during the second quarter.
Metcalf and the fan, wearing a black-and-blue shirt and a blue wig, were speaking to each other before the two-time Pro Bowler threw a right hand toward the man’s face. Metcalf did not appear to make much, if any contact.
Although game officials didn't penalize Metcalf, the league will review the incident and he could face discipline.
Steelers extend their streak
Pittsburgh secured its 22nd straight season with at least a .500 record, breaking the NFL record it previously shared with the Dallas Cowboys, who had a 21-year run without a losing season from 1965-85. Tomlin has finished at .500 or better in each of his 19 seasons.
Injuries
Steelers: CB Brandin Echols (groin) left the game in the second quarter. ... Two starters were inactive — OLB T.J. Watt (lung) and OG Isaac Seumalo (triceps) — along with reserve OLB Nick Herbig (hamstring).
Lions: C Graham Glasgow (knee) and C Trystan Colon (wrist) were inactive, giving 24-year-old Kingsley Eguakun his first start after he played in two games sparingly in September, and G Kayode Awosika (foot) missed his third straight game.
Up next
Steelers: At Cleveland next Sunday.
Lions: At Minnesota on Christmas Day.
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