Week 16 in the National Football League presents a robust Sunday afternoon schedule featuring eleven matchups. Among the marquee contests in the later slot is the clash between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, a game carrying significant postseason implications for both franchises.
The Steelers (8-6) and Lions (8-6) are engaged in fierce divisional battles within their respective conferences. Pittsburgh holds a narrow one-game advantage in the AFC North standings over Baltimore, while Detroit trails both Chicago and Green Bay in the NFC North. The Lions will be without their star pass rusher T.J. Watt, who will miss his second consecutive game due to a lung injury.
The Lions occupy the third position in their division and the eighth spot in the NFC. They must secure a victory and receive favorable outcomes in other games to bolster their playoff prospects. For the Steelers, their clearest path involves triumphing in their division; otherwise, securing the final wild-card berth will prove challenging.
All listed timings are Eastern Time*
Atlanta vs. Arizona, 4:05 p.m. on Fox
Jacksonville vs. Denver, 4:05 p.m. on Fox
Pittsburgh vs. Detroit, 4:25 p.m. on CBS
Las Vegas vs. Houston, 4:25 p.m. on CBS
Follow Yahoo Sports for continuous coverage, key moments, and more from Week 16’s early and afternoon Sunday games:
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Tarohn Finley
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. sustained an injury in the final quarter. He managed to exit the playing surface independently.
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Criss Partee
The Jaguars intercepted Bo Nix on a fourth-and-two play, gaining possession. This marked Jones’s second interception of the current season.
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Tarohn Finley
A touchdown by Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren extended the Steelers’ advantage over the Detroit Lions to two scores.
In the fourth quarter, the Steelers maintained a 22-10 lead against the Lions.
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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Brandin Echols has been declared out of the game due to a groin injury.
Detroit Lions cornerback DJ Reed has been cleared to re-enter play after undergoing concussion protocol.
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Tarohn Finley
Pittsburgh’s kicker Chris Boswell successfully converted his second field goal of the contest, following a third-quarter offensive drive by the Steelers that consumed nine minutes.
The Steelers maintained a 15-10 lead over the Lions in the fourth quarter.
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Kate Magdziuk
Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons hold a substantial ten-point advantage with just over twelve minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, having increased their lead with a quarterback sneak for a touchdown.
Excluding a 29-yard rush from Bijan Robinson, the Falcons orchestrated a deliberate and systematic drive, accumulating 66 yards across twelve plays and consuming 6 minutes and 21 seconds from the clock.
Cousins has delivered a commendable performance thus far, completing 18 of 32 passes for 168 yards, including two touchdowns and one interception, in addition to his fourth-quarter rushing touchdown via the sneak. This marks his second consecutive game achieving over 20 fantasy points in Yahoo Fantasy leagues.
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Tarohn Finley
The Lions executed merely three offensive plays in the third quarter, following a Steelers possession that extended beyond nine minutes.
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has managed only 5 rushing yards on 6 attempts and added 3 receptions for 15 yards. The Lions have a 0-3 record in games where Gibbs accumulates fewer than 40 rushing yards. Concurrently, David Montgomery has recorded 4 carries for 14 yards.
After a stellar outing last week, where he secured 13 catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns in the defeat to the Los Angeles Rams, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has been limited to 3 receptions for 30 yards today. Jameson Williams has also caught 3 passes, accumulating 33 yards.
Rookie receiver Issac TeSlaa has emerged as a key contributor, leading the team with 2 catches for 34 yards and a touchdown. The Pittsburgh Steelers currently hold a 12-10 lead over the Lions.
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Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence delivered his third touchdown pass (and fourth overall score) of the day, connecting with running back Travis Etienne from ten yards out. The Jaguars hold a 31-17 advantage over the Broncos late in the third quarter.
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Tarohn Finley
A safety by the Steelers propelled Pittsburgh to a 12-10 lead in the third quarter.
After an extended play, Kyle Dugger managed to reach Lions quarterback Jared Goff. The Steelers maintained possession of the ball during the third quarter.
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Las Vegas seized the lead with a 60-yard touchdown pass from Geno Smith to running back Ashton Jeanty along the left sideline. The Raiders are now ahead of the Texans 14-13 in the third quarter.
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Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence executed a keeper play, rushing for a touchdown, marking his third overall score of the day. Lawrence has completed 17 of 26 passes for 169 yards, with two passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown.
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The 22-year-old rookie Walter Nolen III was transported off the field via cart following an apparent non-contact injury in Week 15—a further setback for the first-round selection who has already contended with injuries throughout the current season.
Nolen has accumulated 2.0 sacks, one fumble recovery, and five tackles for loss across six games played this year. He began the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, missing the entire preseason and the initial six games due to a calf injury, and then Week 13 due to a knee injury.
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The Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers are deadlocked at a 10-10 tie at the conclusion of the first half.
Pittsburgh running back Kenneth Gainwell’s spectacular touchdown reception dramatically altered the game’s momentum just before halftime.
Gainwell has registered 3 receptions for 52 yards and 3 carries for 23 yards. Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has completed 14 of 24 passes for 141 yards and 1 touchdown.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff has completed 10 of 14 passes for 104 yards. Goff has distributed the ball to tight end Anthony Firkser and wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
The Steelers are vying for the AFC North title, while the Lions are striving to keep their postseason aspirations alive.
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Houston established an early pace with a defensive touchdown from a Derek Stingley Jr. pick-six. The Raiders subsequently closed the gap with a touchdown pass from Geno Smith to Brock Bowers.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud had a sluggish beginning, completing 10 of 20 passes for 82 yards. Jawhar Jordan contributed 41 rushing yards in the opening half. Christian Kirk and Dalton Schultz each secured three receptions, while Nico Collins added two for 22 yards.
Geno Smith completed 8 of 13 passes for 80 yards, yielding one touchdown and one interception. Ashton Jeanty rushed for 44 yards. Bowers accounted for three receptions totaling 19 yards, scoring the Raiders’ lone touchdown.
Houston kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn successfully converted two field goals from beyond 50 yards in the first half.
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Tarohn Finley
Pittsburgh running back Kenneth Gainwell provided an offensive surge for the Steelers just before halftime with an exceptional touchdown reception.
Gainwell executed a diving catch over linebacker Alex Alzone near the sideline, then swiftly regained his footing upon realizing he hadn’t been touched.
To date, Gainwell has logged 3 receptions for 52 yards and 3 carries for 23 yards. The Steelers and Detroit Lions are currently tied 10-10 at the intermission.
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Kate Magdziuk
The rapport between Kirk Cousins and Kyle Pitts remains robust, as the duo connected for a five-yard touchdown late in the second quarter. The extra point attempt was blocked, resulting in the Falcons and Cardinals entering halftime tied at 16-16.
Pitts has assumed an expanded role in recent weeks, particularly in light of a knee injury sustained by WR1 Drake London. He is coming off a career-best performance in Week 15, where he hauled in 11 of 12 targets from Cousins for 166 receiving yards and three touchdowns, ultimately finishing as the top tight end of the week in Yahoo Fantasy leagues with 40.1 points.
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Wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa secured the Lions’ initial touchdown of the contest. Prior to Sunday’s game, half of TeSlaa’s receptions had resulted in scores.
The Detroit Lions currently hold a 10-3 lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers late in the second quarter.
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Criss Partee
Jacksonville entered halftime with a 17-10 advantage over Denver. Trevor Lawrence orchestrated the offense, throwing for two touchdowns and 130 aerial yards. Parker Washington and Brenton Strange were the recipients of Lawrence’s touchdown passes.
The Broncos’ Bo Nix contributed 153 passing yards and a touchdown strike to Courtland Sutton, who also recorded four catches for 53 yards.
The rushing attacks for both teams were largely contained in the first half. Travis Etienne gained 24 yards on six carries for the Jaguars, while Jaleel McLaughlin managed 33 yards on four carries for Denver.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf was involved in an incident with a spectator during the first half of the game against the Detroit Lions.
Metcalf did not face immediate disciplinary action for his behavior as the officials did not witness the event. The NFL is expected to investigate this altercation for potential sanctions.
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Tarohn Finley
While the Lions hold the advantage in most offensive metrics over the Steelers, they have only managed three points so far, largely due to a crucial fourth-down pass breakup by Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr., which prevented a reception by Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff has completed 10 of 14 attempts for 104 yards. Tight end Anthony Firkser and wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams are the primary targets in the passing game.
Running back Jahmyr Gibbs has encountered difficulties, gaining a mere -4 yards on 4 carries.
Conversely, Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has completed 7 of 12 passes for 45 yards. Running back Kenneth Gainwell has rushed for 23 yards on three attempts. Tight end Darnell Washington leads the team in receiving with 18 yards.