The Pittsburgh Steelers eked out a win Sunday against the Detroit Lions in a wild fashion that capped a chaotic game in the Motor City.
The Steelers held the lead most of the game, but when it looked like they might sail to an easy win, the Lions roared back with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter — only to have their efforts go for naught with a last-second pass interference call that negated a winning touchdown.
Lions fans listening to the call at the end of the game pic.twitter.com/cRFfGnJmTX
— Zachary Smith (@ZacharySmithPGH) December 22, 2025
Bob Wojnowski from The Detroit News bemoaned the Lions’ loss, saying they “never got a grasp on Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers Sunday.”
“Their defense again never got a grasp on anyone, and now everything is slipping away,” he wrote. “The final play will be frozen and framed in the Lions’ Museum of Misery, after they thought they’d pulled out a miraculous victory, only to learn it was a mirage.”
ONE OF THE CRAZIEST ENDINGS IN #NFL HISTORY.
THE ENTIRE TWO-MINUTE VIDEO OF THE EPIC #STEELERS – #LIONS GAME.
Multiple Detroit touchdowns were called off by the refs.
The fans had thought they won the game.
Players were absolutely stunned.
INSANITY. pic.twitter.com/wnvO2S4mSb
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) December 22, 2025
Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press wrote, “Maybe the expectations were too high. Maybe we got used to too much winning. … Maybe no one wanted to consider the possibility that the Detroit Lions might not be destined for dynasty.”
Brandon Knapp of Pride of Detroit wrote, “Detroit lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-24 in possibly its worst loss of the season, which is saying something. The team had one good quarter of play, and it was too little, too late for them.”
Knapp questioned the Lions’ determination to win. “The grit this year? I haven’t seen it. If the Lions had won today, you could argue it was grit, but I think they woke up too little, too late in this game.
“Could it be that this team thought they had the grit to overcome the glaring issues (offensive line, offensive play calling, lack of pass rush outside of Aidan Hutchinson)? Maybe, but the front office and roster must do a deep dive this offseason to get themselves ready for 2026 with the right mindset, roster, and plan to ensure it’s not a repeat of this disappointing season.”
And then there was that incident near the stands in which Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf appeared to take a swing at a Lions fan.
HEARTWARMING: DK Metcalf spends time with a fan during the Steelers-Lions game and extends his gratitude ????
Bigger than football ❤️ pic.twitter.com/RCVGolQMv1
— NFL Drop (@TheNFLDrop) December 21, 2025
The Free Press tracked down the fan, who said he was “a little shocked. Like everyone’s talking to me. I’m a little rattled, but I just want the Lions to win, baby.”
As for the fans, commenters were plentiful on the Pride of Detroit’s website.
A fan going by Champer wrote, “Lions are bullied by everyone. The DC tough guy act has grown very stale.”
HGClowns added, “So much for built to win long term. Last place here we come.”
Roaring in SF said, “Well, that’s a wrap on an extremely disappointing season. All of our worst preseason fears were pretty much realized.”
And then LaTransferPorta chimed in by saying, “We have looked poorly prepared, with poor gameplans that only look worse when the opponent adjusts at the half. … Dan Campbell better hire an offensive coordinator who can call plays for him.”
But not all fans were seeing red. Some were counting their meager blessings. Like JohnLion777: “I remember too many years when we weren’t competitive. Last play of this game we still had a chance. Too many times in the past we didn’t have a chance after the first drive of our opponent.
“I’ll take this. Even if the outcome isn’t what we wanted.”
