PITTSBURGH – Every season has its humbling moments. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, Week 16 in Detroit was exactly that. Coming off a strong stretch of football and a spot atop the Wild Card and potential AFC North conversation, the black and gold walked into Ford Field full of momentum. They left with a 28–10 defeat and a film session full of lessons.
The loss drops the Steelers to 9–6, tightening an already crowded playoff picture. But more than the score, it was the execution and missed opportunities that defined this one.
Early Opportunities, Empty Results
The Steelers moved the ball effectively in stretches, but self-inflicted wounds and questionable decisions in the red zone proved costly. Instead of taking points when within striking distance, Coach DK LaFleur’s group pushed for touchdowns and came away with nothing.
The tone was set early. On the opening drive, quarterback Desmond Ridder found Alec Pierce wide open on third down that would have put Pittsburgh deep in enemy territory. The ball was right on target, but Pierce simply dropped it. A potential tone-setting drive instead ended in a punt, and it felt like the Steelers never quite recovered their rhythm from that point forward.
“We were too aggressive at times,” LaFleur admitted after the game. “There’s a fine line between confidence and recklessness, and I think we crossed it in a few moments. That’s on me.”
A Rough Night for Ridder
Quarterback Desmond Ridder had his toughest outing as a Steeler, finishing 19 of 41 for 311 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. While his stat line shows flashes of production, it was also a night of frustration. One of his interceptions came on an inaccurate five-yard pass that sailed straight to a flat defender in a clean pocket. The other two came late in the fourth quarter with Pittsburgh trailing by multiple possessions as Ridder tried to make something happen.
His final passer rating of 49.9 reflected a night where execution simply wasn’t there. He also took five sacks, several of which came from holding onto the ball too long in collapsing pockets.
“It’s a learning experience,” Ridder said postgame. “You can’t hit home runs on every play. Sometimes you’ve got to take what’s there and keep the chains moving.”
Carter Contained
The Steelers’ run game, typically their stabilizing force, was shut down by Detroit’s top-ranked rush defense. Rookie sensation Nate Carter was limited to just 38 yards on 10 carries, though he added value through the air with seven catches for 70 yards.
Detroit’s front seven did exactly what the numbers suggested they could. They controlled the line of scrimmage and made Pittsburgh one-dimensional. Linebackers were quick to fill gaps, and the interior linemen collapsed running lanes before Carter could find daylight.
“They played sound football,” LaFleur said. “We tried to stay balanced, but we definitely strayed away from the run, and that falls on me.”
Missed Shots and What Could Have Been
If there was a theme to the passing attack, it was “close, but not quite.” Ridder missed multiple deep shots to D.K. Metcalf, who finished with just two catches for 58 yards but was open for much more. One misfire in the first half that could have been a long touchdown loomed large as the offense struggled to find rhythm.
Alec Pierce provided the lone offensive highlight, hauling in three catches for 92 yards and the team’s only touchdown, which was a 65-yard strike that showcased the chemistry he and Ridder continue to build. But that early third-down drop still loomed large, as it represented a missed chance to seize momentum when it mattered most. Tight end Jonnu Smith chipped in with four catches for 64 yards, working in big catches when called upon.
Defensive Fight, But Not Enough
While the final score doesn’t show it, Pittsburgh’s defense battled hard for much of the game. Linebacker Payton Wilson was once again everywhere, finishing with nine tackles, four tackles for loss, and one interception in the red zone that prevented what could have been a back-breaking drive.
Still, Detroit found its footing through balance and patience. Quarterback Jared Goff was efficient, throwing for 287 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Wide receiver Jameson Williams gave the Steelers fits all afternoon, torching the secondary for nine catches, 175 yards, and a touchdown. His speed proved impossible to contain, consistently finding soft spots in coverage.
Running back Jahmyr Gibbs added 112 rushing yards on 18 carries, including a 50-yard burst that set up an eventual field goal.
T.J. Watt and the front seven had a quiet day and didn’t do nearly enough to disrupt Detroit’s rhythm. Alex Highsmith recorded a sack and two tackles for loss, while Patrick Queen added eight tackles and two tackles for loss of his own. Darius Rush led the team with 10 tackles, showing range and physicality from the secondary.
But as LaFleur put it, “We gave up too many explosives. You can’t win in this league when you’re constantly giving up chunk plays and failing to capitalize on turnovers.”
Lessons Learned
Despite the disappointment, there was no sense of panic in the locker room. This was a loss that stung, yes, but one that the team believes will make them better.
“We’ve already reviewed the tape,” LaFleur said Monday. “There’s a lot to take away from this one. We were too aggressive at times, we got away from the run, and we didn’t execute situationally. Those are all correctable things.”
The Steelers know that late-season adversity can serve as a catalyst for growth. At 9–6, they remain firmly in the playoff picture, but the road ahead won’t get easier. With divisional matchups looming against the Browns and Ravens, Pittsburgh will have to tighten things up fast.
“This is the time of year where character shows,” LaFleur said. “Life isn’t about what happens to you, but it’s about how you respond. We’ve been here before. We know how to bounce back.”
Players echoed that sentiment, emphasizing accountability and composure. “We didn’t play our brand of football,” said Cameron Heyward. “But nobody’s hanging their head. We’ll get it fixed. That’s what this team does.”
Eyes Forward
Next week’s matchup with the Cleveland Browns looms large. The two teams sit neck and neck in the AFC North standings, and a win could swing playoff seeding dramatically. But if there’s one thing this loss made clear, it’s that the Steelers can’t afford to beat themselves.
Against Detroit, they learned that lesson the hard way. Against Cleveland, they’ll look to prove they’ve learned it well.
– Forged In Steel Times
