Kenneth Gainwell made an excellent play at the end of the second quarter, tying Pittsburgh and Detroit at 10-10 at halftime.
While Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone committed clear defensive pass interference on Gainwell, the running back was somehow still able to make a catch deep down the right side, preventing the ball from hitting the ground. Gainwell then got up untouched and went into the end zone for a 45-yard touchdown.
While the play was initially called an incomplete pass, it was quickly overturned to a touchdown.
It was Gainwell’s third touchdown reception of the year.
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers finished the first 30 minutes 14-of-24 for 141 yards with one touchdown — his 23rd of the season.
Pittsburgh’s late score came after Detroit rookie Isaac TeSlaa made another outstanding touchdown reception. It was a difficult, 20-yard catch between two defenders for the game’s first trip to the end zone.
Quarterback Jared Goff was 15-of-20 for 162 yards with that TD. Goff has now tied Matthew Stafford’s franchise record with 21 consecutive games with a touchdown pass.
Notably, Steelers receiver DK Metcalf was shown on the CBS broadcast having an altercation with a fan where he threw a punch. Metcalf went up to the fan on the sideline and was apparently upset by something the fan said. He was not ejected, then dropped a pass over the middle that should have been routine inside two minutes. He was then flagged for offensive pass interference after shoving a defender to create space.
It would be stunning if Metcalf did not eventually face some kind of league discipline.
The Steelers will have a chance to double up, as they’ll receive the second-half kickoff.
