The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a winning performance in Week 15 vs. the Dolphins in Pittsburgh, and it is time to see if they can keep their winning trend heading into next week. The hope is there are awesome performances on the horizon on Sunday in Week 16 when they travel to play the Detroit Lions in this AFC vs. NFC battle.

What exactly do the Steelers need to do to claim their ninth victory of 2025? Let’s break it down by offense and defense…

Offense

Protect the QB

This season the Detroit Lions defense has collected 39 sacks, and they have been putting some serious pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Steelers will be without Isaac Seumalo, and Dylan Cook is slated to get his second start at left tackle. All of that adds up to the importance of protecting Aaron Rodgers. The Pittsburgh offense has surrendered 25 sacks this season, and the big difference in the last two weeks has been the ability for Rodgers to have time in the pocket.

Keep it Clean

The Steelers have had two straight games without a turnover, and they are a team who hasn’t turned it over a lot this season. Pittsburgh has committed 14 turnovers on the season, 9 INTs and 5 Fumbles, and keeping it clean in this regard will be huge. On the flip side, Detroit has a +9 turnover differential with 12 INTs and 5 Fumble Recoveries, so not giving them anything free will be paramount in trying to pull off a wild upset in Detroit.

Light ’em Up

Going toe-to-toe with the Lions offense is anything but easy, but it’s necessary to win. If the Lions have a weakness, it’s on the defensive side of the ball. Detroit’s passing defense is giving up 231.1 yards per game through the air, 24th in the league, and the Lions are giving up 24.6 points per game on average. This could, and probably should, be an aerial attack as long as Rodgers has time to throw. On top of that, the Pittsburgh red-zone offense is converting 66.7%, tied for 3rd in the league, while the Detroit red-zone defense is giving up touchdowns on 61.7% of opponent’s red-zone trips, 23rd in the league. Getting to the red-zone and scoring touchdowns, not field goals, will be key.

Defense

Throw the kitchen sink at them

The Lions offense is a Top 5 unit in almost every major statistical category. The Detroit passing offense averages 248.8 yards per game, 3rd in the league, while their rushing offense averages 131.1 yards per game, 5th in the league. It is going to be a tall task slowing down this offense, but the Steelers should leave no stone unturned in trying to stop Detroit. If there are blitzes they’ve kept in their back pocket, or ways to disguise coverage, this is the game to unveil those. The one thing the Steelers can’t do is duplicate the game they had on Thursday Night Football in Cincinnati earlier this season. That game they tried so many different coverages they confused themselves.

Get to Goff

If the Steelers have a chance on this side of the football, it might reside in getting after quarterback Jared Goff. Detroit has surrendered 28 sacks this season, but the Pittsburgh defense has collected 40 sacks on the season. Without T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig, the pass rush will be limited, but the importance will turn to the interior offensive line being able to collapse the pocket from the interior. Time for Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton and Derrick Harmon to impose their will.

Bend, Don’t Break

The Lions are going to put up both yards and points, but can you force a few field goals or take advantage of their aggressive nature and get off the field with a turnover on downs? The Detroit offense is averaging 30.6 points per game, 1st in the league, and even when you look at the red-zone numbers it’s impressive. The Detroit red-zone offense is converting on 67.27%, 2nd in the league, while the Pittsburgh red-zone defense is allowing touchdowns on 54% of opponent’s red-zone trips, 11th in the league. The Lions don’t turn the ball over much, but if the Steelers can force field goals and get a turnover on downs, or two, it could go a long way for an upset in the making.

I talk about this, and MUCH more on the Friday episode of “Let’s Ride”, and you can hear that podcast in the player below this article. In the meantime, be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the team as they gear up for game time!