Steelers vs. Lions: 5 Surprises in Sunday’s Win

Dylan Cook

The Steelers search for a starting left tackle has been dismal over the last several seasons. First round draft pick, Broderick Jones, was finally tapped to move from the right side of the offensive line during the offseason, replacing long-time but underwhelming starter Dan Moore.

Jones would land on injured reserve a few weeks ago, sending journeyman veteran Andrus Peat into action. Peat would also get injured, forcing the Steelers to bring Dylan Cook up from the practice squad.

Cook, who has been on and off of the Steelers active 53-man roster and practice squad over the last three seasons, made his first start against the Miami Dolphins after first entering as Peat’s replacement against the Ravens in Week 14. Since then, Cook has been nothing short of impressive, holding off premier pass rushers such as Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson. While Hutchinson would still get his pound of flesh (two sacks on Aaron Rodgers) Cook wasn’t at all the liability fans were worried about.

Furthermore, pairing with replacement left guard Spencer Anderson, it’s truly amazing what Pittsburgh accomplished with their ground game.

Boswell’s Miss

With the Steelers clutching onto a 29-25 advantage late in the fourth quarter, a field goal would’ve made things more difficult for Detroit to make a comeback.

Aaron Rodgers and company did their job, executing a 7-play, 43-yard drive to get the team well within Chris Boswell’s field goal range for a chance to go up by eight points. Unfortunately, the 37-yard attempt failed, as the snap came in low and holder Corliss Waitman fielded it, but not as cleanly as need with Boz’ kick missing wide right.

Detroit would get the ball back on their 27-yard line with 2:05 remaining in regulation.

Wild Finish

The Lions would have three 10-play drives in the fourth quarter, with the final one ending in dramatic fashion.

The Steelers first thought they secured a victory on a failed 4th-and-2 Goff pass to Jameson Williams, when several late penalty flags came flying in the direction of S Kyle Dugger for pass interference. Alex Highsmith would get his hands on Goff for a ten-yard sack on the next play, but the play was nullified by a 15-yard tripping penalty that suddenly had the Lions marched up to the Steelers 36 with over a minute to go.

The Lions would get all the way down to the Steelers one-yard line with Isaac TeSlaa was stopped short of the goal line. What would ensue over the next few plays was pure madness.

Amon‑Ra St. Brown hauled in a would-be go-ahead score, but a “pick” by TeSlaa was penalized for ten yards as offensive pass interference would reset Detroit’s line of scrimmage to the Pittsburgh 11. A false start would drop the Lions back another five, as they would claw through to the nine and then throw two incompletions before a a 4th-and-9 with eight seconds on the clock.

Goff would target St. Brown again, who was stopped short of the goal line, and driven backwards – would lateral back to Goff who ran into the endzone. The officials took forever, as several flags were thrown before St. Brown’s pitch back to Goff.

The result? The game ended on an offensive pass interference call against Amon‑Ra St. Brown — with no time left — wiping out what looked like a miracle Lions touchdown lateral play.

D.K. Metcalf

Early in the game, the Steelers star receiver was caught on camera jostling with a fan in the stands. Undetected by the officials, Metcalf continued to play throughout the game but the aftermath is a bizarre series of “to be determined” punishment for D.K.

The initial ruling by the league is that Metcalf will be suspended for two games, ending his 2025 regular season. The receiver will appeal, and with merit: as evidence has surfaced the fan with whom Metcalf had the altercation was previously reported when the receiver was in Seattle last season.

With fan videos surfacing as further evidence of the incident, and the potential of $45 million of guaranteed money being nullified as part of the league’s discipline, all eyes will be on the commissioner and the NFLPA this week.