Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers last faced the Lions nearly three years ago, in his final game with the Packers. The loss at Lambeau Field kept Green Bay from making it to the playoffs.
On Sunday, Rodgers has a chance to throw a wrench into Detroit’s playoff hopes.
Rodgers takes an 18-8 all-time record against Detroit to Ford Field for Sunday’s Steelers-Lions game. His first loss happened in 2010, a late-season game he exited with a concussion.
He started 9-1 against the Lions. Which means he’s gone 9-7 since then. Ten years ago this month, an incredible Hail Mary won a Thursday night game at Detroit.
The Lions, at 8-6, are hanging on by a thread in a top heavy NFC playoff field. The Steelers can lose the next two and still win the AFC North by beating the Ravens in Week 18.
The best news for the Lions? They’re 15-0 after a loss since 2022. A win today would tie the longest regular-season record, set by the Broncos from 1984-88.
Fourteen teams have been eliminated from playoff contention. Four more eventually will be bounced. And one of four very good teams in the NFC is destined to be among them.
Even after winning last night in overtime to extend their record to 11-4, the Bears are not in. Which means they could still be out.
Likewise, the 49ers, Packers, and Lions have yet to qualify. Among Chicago, San Francisco, Green Bay, and Detroit, one of them will not make it.
The 49ers, if they win out, will be the No. 1 seed in the NFC. If they lose to the Colts, Bears, and Seahawks, the Niners could be SOL.
The Bears, currently the No. 2 seed, could slip and slide right out of the seven-team field if they close the season with losses to the 49ers and Lions.
The Packers, at 9-5-1, face the Ravens and the Vikings, who already have played spoiler for the Cowboys — and who would love to poke a fatal hole in the Cheeseheads’ playoff chances.
The Lions, who are as good as anyone when things are clicking, have lost three times as many games as they did in 2024. At 8-6, they take a very small margin for error into games against the Steelers, Vikings, and Bears.
This feels like one of those years in which nearly any team that gets a seat at the playoff table could run the table. It’s possible that an NFC team that otherwise would have gotten red-hot in January will slip up just enough to not get that opportunity.
The Lions have been waiting a long time to get safety Kerby Joseph back from a knee injury, but it looks like they may have to remain patient until the 2026 season.
Joseph was placed on injured reserve on Saturday. He’ll miss at least the next four games, which means the Lions will have to both make the playoffs and win their first postseason game in order for him to have any chance of returning. The Lions are currently on the outside looking in in the NFC playoff picture.
Joseph last played in Week 6 and it looked like he was getting close to a return before head coach Dan Campbell said that the safety suffered a setback a little more than a week ago.
The Lions filled Joseph’s roster spot by activating guard Christian Mahogany from injured reserve. Mahogany started the first eight games at left guard and has been sidelined with a fibula injury.
Offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun and tight end Giovanni Ricci were elevated from the practice squad in other roster moves ahead of Sunday’s game against the Steelers.
The Steelers will officially be without T.J. Watt for a second straight game.
Pittsburgh formally ruled Watt out for Sunday’s game against the Lions, as he continues to recover from a procedure to repair his lung.
Watt did not practice all week.
In 13 games this season, Watt has recorded 7.0 sacks with 10 tackles for loss, 18 quarterback hits, and an interception.
Additionally, the Steelers have ruled out cornerback James Pierre (calf) and guard Isaac Seumalo (triceps) after both players were sidelined all week.
Linebacker Nick Herbig (hamstring) is doubtful after he was limited in practice on Friday. Long snapper Christian Kuntz (knee) is questionable after two limited practices to finish the week.
While center Zach Frazier (triceps) was added to the injury report on Thursday as a non-participant, he is set to play after a limited session on Friday. Receiver Ben Skowronek (illness/hand), safety Jabrill Peppers (illness), offensive lineman Andrus Peat (concussion), defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (ankle), and defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (knee) are all off the injury report and are set to play.
The Lions will head into Sunday’s game against the Steelers with two of their starting offensive linemen listed as questionable.
Center Graham Glasgow and left tackle Taylor Decker both drew that designation on Friday’s injury report. Glasgow missed practice on Thursday and Friday with a knee injury while Decker missed Wednesday and Friday with a shoulder injury.
Safety Kerby Joseph (knee) and offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (knee) were ruled out for Detroit. Offensive lineman Trystan Colon (wrist) and defensive back Amik Robertson (hand) are listed as questionable.
Guard Christian Mahogany (fibula) is also listed as questionable to be activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday’s game.
