The Pittsburgh Steelers enter Week 16 with a huge opportunity. With the Baltimore Ravens facing a New England Patriots team looking to keep their lead in the AFC East, a win this week over the Detroit Lions would put a ton of pressure on the Ravens.
Not only would they need to upset the Patriots this week, with Pittsburgh facing a terrible Browns team next week, but they would also likely need to beat the Green Bay Packers in Week 17 just to make Week 18's rematch even matter.
Based on the latest Steelers injury report, however, going into Detroit and walking out with a win seems next to impossible.
The #Steelers have ruled out edge TJ Watt (lung) for a second consecutive game. They also ruled out CB James Pierre (calf), G Isaac Seumalo (triceps) and list LB Nick Herbig (hamstring) as doubtful.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 19, 2025
T.J. Watt's absence was already a given, but losing starting guard Isaac Seumalo and missing corner James Pierre for a second straight game is a tough pill to swallow. Seeing Nick Herbig listed as doubtful makes the Watt absence loom even larger as well. It was already a matchup that would heavily favor the Lions regardless of health, and these injuries are just adding to the difficulty.
Pittsburgh Steelers face desperate Lions team without several key starters
The Lions' playoff hopes rest largely on beating the Steelers in Week 16, and I, for one, wouldn't want to face a Dan Campbell-led squad that is backed into a corner. I especially wouldn't want to do that without two of my best edge rushers, one of my best defensive backs, and my most experienced offensive lineman.
That is exactly what head coach Mike Tomlin and his team must do this week, however.
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Losing this game wouldn't change that much for the Steelers' chances of winning the AFC North, but, as I outlined previously, it would ramp up the pressure on the Ravens to win their next two games before the highly anticipated Week 18 grudge match.
That alone should be all the motivation Pittsburgh needs to give the Lions their best shot, but it might not be enough. Everything about Detroit and how they play is a nightmare for the Steelers, from their high-octane rushing attack to their man-heavy defense that disrupts offenses' timing in the passing game.
The Lions' run game is the most concerning thing for them, as it doesn't get much scarier than facing Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. The Steelers' run defense may have looked better against the Dolphins a week ago, but they had to abandon the run thanks to an offensive explosion from Pittsburgh's offense.
The one saving grace could be the return of Derrick Harmon to the lineup, but asking a rookie to be the deciding factor in a game of this magnitude is not ideal.