With the 2025 season on the horizon, Steelers.com is bringing you Looking Back, where a game against each of our opponents is highlighted. In this edition, it’s the Detroit Lions.
Steelers 47, Detroit Lions 14
December 23, 2001
Heinz Field (Now Acrisure Stadium)
The Steelers came out of the gate strong and never slowed down as they rolled over the Detroit Lions, 47-14.
Running back Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala led the ground attack with 26 carries for 126 yards, getting the start with running back Jerome Bettis out with a hip and groin injury.
“He played great,” said Bettis of Fuamatu-Ma’afala. “He did a great job. He was confident. He had a lot of poise. For a running back, and a young guy, it is always patience that you have to worry about. Sometimes, it is hard to develop patience when the game is so fast. He showed a lot of patience and did a great job.”
Quarterback Kordell Stewart completed 17 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns and a passer rating of 131.2. Stewart also ran for a touchdown.
“We did a lot of good things,” said Stewart. “We converted when we needed to. We got points on the board, and the defense did an awesome job of giving us field position, and we finally converted touchdowns as opposed to field goals. When you do that, it’s a good thing. We played the way that we’re supposed to play, and I’m enthused about that.”