The Pittsburgh Steelers edged out the Detroit Lions 29-24 in a nail-biter on Sunday afternoon, improving to 9-6 and remaining atop the AFC North with just two games left in the 2025 season. It marked one of Pittsburgh’s most complete performances of the campaign, though a few mistakes nearly proved costly. The Steelers went 0-for-3 in the red zone, and they were flagged eight times for 89 yards, including several critical penalties in the second half that threatened to swing the outcome.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks to throw deep during Pittsburgh's 29-24 win over the Detroit Lions in Week 16 of the 2025 NFL Regular Season.
One of the most damaging penalties occurred deep in Lions territory, when offensive lineman Spencer Anderson was flagged for lining up offsides, backing the Steelers up on a drive that eventually stalled and resulted in a field goal.
That moment could have shifted momentum entirely, as the Steelers were in a strong position to score a touchdown and potentially put the game further out of reach. Instead, they had to settle for three points, a minor reprieve that could have come back to bite them in the closing minutes.
Despite the thrilling win, penalties remain an area the Steelers must clean up moving forward, and accountability is something quarterback Aaron Rodgers has never stayed away from, especially when it comes to calling out teammates for their mistakes. Rodgers has long been vocal about the importance of discipline, and moments like the ones that occurred on Sunday remind the team that even small mental errors can have outsized consequences in tight games.
During his post-game press conference, Rodgers called out Anderson for lining up offsides.
"We were also not great in the red zone. We had our chances; we had penalties," Rodgers said. "Like Spence lining up offsides on offense is a bad penalty."
Rodgers’ comments reflect the kind of leadership that the Steelers have leaned on throughout the season. While calling out mistakes publicly can sometimes draw criticism, it also reinforces accountability and sends a message that no misstep is too small to overlook. Rodgers has always been vocal about expecting his teammates to hold themselves to a high standard, and his willingness to address errors head-on sets the tone for the entire locker room.
Anderson has played an impactful role in the Steelers' offense throughout this season while serving as the team's sixth offensive tackle in their "jumbo" package. His ability to step in and provide extra protection or open up running lanes has been a key part of Pittsburgh’s game plan, and was a big part in their success in the running game on Sunday.
Karl Roster / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers offensive linemen Spencer Anderson and Dylan Cook look to pass block during Pittsburgh's 29-24 win over the Detroit Lions in Week 16 of the 2025 NFL Regular Season.
The Steelers ultimately came away with the win, and the penalty issues from Sunday’s game don’t feel quite as glaring in the aftermath. Wins have a way of masking mistakes, and when the final score is in your favor, the focus naturally shifts to the big plays and clutch moments rather than the errors that nearly derailed the outcome.
Pittsburgh finished with 481 total yards of offense, their highest total of the season. The offense looked fluid at times, with Rodgers and his receivers carving up the Detroit secondary, along with Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell combining for 193 rushing yards. The Pittsburgh defense held one of the highest-powered offenses in the league to just 24 points, while holding arguably the best rushing duo in the NFL to just 16 rushing yards on the day.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws downfield during Pittsburgh's 29-24 win over the Detroit Lions in Week 16 of the 2025 NFL Regular Season.
Steelers Will Need To Clean Up Penalties With Postseason Around The Corner
In Pittsburgh’s case, the eight penalties for 89 yards are easy to overlook when the team is still sitting atop the AFC North. The Steelers now enter the final two games of the season in prime position to clinch the division, and the team knows they have to clean things up in the penalty department to have a chance at a postseason run.
Those mental errors suddenly take on much greater significance, especially in playoff football, where one misstep can end a season. Rodgers holds his teammates accountable because he knows the team cannot afford these kinds of mistakes in the postseason.
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