DETROIT, MI — It was a hard-fought game that no Detroit Lions fan will soon forget.
With the playoff hopes still on the line in the final two minutes of the game, Jared Goff led the Lions on what felt like an impossible, yet hopeful drive against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter.
Flag after flag was thrown. Touchdowns called back. And time expired.
Fans were joyous, then confused and then upset.
The Detroit Lions fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-24 in a chaotic ending that sent shockwaves through the NFL and the fan base on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit.
Read more about the final drive of the game.
MLive senior photojournalist Jake May was there to document the action, both on and off of the field. Check out photos from the game in the gallery above. Click here for a direct link to the gallery.
Scroll below to see some of the highlights of the action and feature photographs from the crowd reactions.
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) breaks free for a first down run during the first half of the game between the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit.(Jake May | MLive.com)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac Teslaa (18) catches a touchdown pass during the first half of the game between the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit.(Jake May | MLive.com)
Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during the first half of the game between the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit.(Jake May | MLive.com)
Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) celebrates with defensive end al-Quadin Muhammad (96) after Hutchinson sacked Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during the first half of the game on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit.(Jake May | MLive.com)
Detroit Lions fans signal for a touchdown as the referees talk after the final play of the game during the second half of the game between the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit.(Jake May | MLive.com)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jack Sawyer (33) puts all his weight into a tackle to keep Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) out of the end zone for a stop during the first half of the game between the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit.(Jake May | MLive.com)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) stops Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) at the line of scrimmage for a big stop during the first half of the game between the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit.(Jake May | MLive.com)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) evades a tackle and runs the ball in for a touchdown after a short pass from quarterback Jared Goff during the second half of the game between the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit.(Jake May | MLive.com)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) scores his 48th touchdown of his career during the second half of the game between the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit. Gibbs broke the NFL record, previously held by Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders.(Jake May | MLive.com)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) makes a reception during the second half of the game between the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit.(Jake May | MLive.com)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Dk Metcalf (4) pushes away Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) as he powers himself forward for positive yards during the second half of the game between the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit.(Jake May | MLive.com)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a pass during the first half of the game between the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit.(Jake May | MLive.com)
Detroit Lions fans enjoy the game during the first half of the game between the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit.(Jake May | MLive.com)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) evades a tackle and runs the ball in for a touchdown after a short pass from quarterback Jared Goff during the second half of the game between the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit.(Jake May | MLive.com)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) spins off of a tackle attempt by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during the second half of the game between the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit.(Jake May | MLive.com)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) reacts after a touchdown is called back for an offensive foul called by the referees in the final two minutes of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) leaps over the top of Pittsburgh Steelers safety Sebastian Castro (29) for a touchdown that was nixed by the referees on the final play of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit.(Jake May | MLive.com)
The referees talk about the call for the final play of the game between the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit.(Jake May | MLive.com)
Referee Carl Cheffers talks over the final play call with Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell after the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit.(Jake May | MLive.com)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) looks up at the scoreboard to watch the replay of the final play of the game during the second half of the game between the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit.(Jake May | MLive.com)