The Pittsburgh Steelers were big underdogs heading into their Week 16 battle with the Detroit Lions, but they clearly didn't get the memo.
The Steelers came away with a hard-fought 29-24 win over the Lions, improving their record to 9-6 on the season. It doesn't massively change their playoff outlook, as even a Ravens loss to the Patriots doesn't clinch the AFC North. But it is huge for their confidence.
The Steelers have struggled this season against their better opponents, with a 3-5 record against teams with a .500 or better record as of Week 16. Their win over the Lions not only improved that record, but it showed that they are capable of beating a true playoff-caliber opponent even without several key starters.
Pittsburgh Steelers look more capable of breaking playoff losing streak than ever after Lions victory
Just about everyone, including Steelers fans, expected Pittsburgh to struggle in this game. This is the kind of situation and opponent that they have struggled to handle over the past decade. Detroit was fighting for its playoff lives, while the Steelers could easily afford to lose this week as long as they win their last two games.
It all added up to a scenario where the Lions would take care of business at home, and the Steelers would look past them knowing they don't need this game.
Instead, the Steelers came out playing as hard as they have all season, shutting down the Lions' vaunted running game early and putting all the pressure on quarterback Jared Goff to make plays in the passing game. A miraculous touchdown from Kenneth Gainwell helped the Steelers' offense keep pace with the defense's performance in the first half, and it was all tied up 10-10 at halftime.
From there, it became a game of scoring runs from both teams. Pittsburgh was up by 12 on two separate occasions, but the Lions kept battling back after finally figuring things out offensively. Ultimately, though, Pittsburgh's offense was too much for Detroit to handle in the second half.
The Steelers put up a season-high 481 yards offensively, with 230 of them coming on the ground. They did exactly what the Lions often do to other teams, beating them down with the run game and then hunting the opposing QB with their pass rush.
They did almost blow it late, but the defense made the plays they needed to late to end it.
With this win, Steelers fans should be more confident than ever that they could actually win a playoff game, especially with it guaranteed to be at home in round one if they make it.