The Detroit Lions are officially in must-win mode as they prepare for a critical Week 16 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, December 21, at Ford Field.

With an 8–6 record, the Lions must win out to keep their NFL playoff hopes alive. A loss to Pittsburgh would eliminate Detroit from postseason contention, making Sunday’s game essentially a playoff matchup before the playoffs even begin.

Both teams enter the game with identical records, but the Steelers currently hold a 61% chance of making the playoffs, while the Lions sit at 37%, according to NFL projections. A Detroit win would boost that number to 46%, underscoring just how much is on the line.

Lions Make History Ahead of Steelers Game

Ahead of the crucial showdown, the Lions announced historic achievements from multiple key players, providing a morale boost at a pivotal point in the season.

On Wednesday, December 17, the Lions revealed that Aidan Hutchinson and Al-Quadin Muhammad became the first defensive end duo in franchise history to each record nine sacks in a single season. The milestone highlights the impact of Detroit’s pass rush during the 2025 campaign.

The historic news didn’t stop there.

On Tuesday, December 16, the Lions announced that Amon-Ra St. Brown set a new franchise record for most receiving yards through a player’s first five career seasons, surpassing Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson.

Additionally, St. Brown and Jameson Williams became the first wide receiver duo in Lions history to each record more than seven receiving touchdowns in consecutive seasons, further solidifying themselves as one of the most productive tandems in the NFL.

Lions’ Remaining Schedule After Steelers

If Detroit defeats Pittsburgh, the path to the postseason remains open—but challenging.

The Lions will next face the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day (December 25) on the road, followed by a January 4 matchup against the Chicago Bears, also away from home.

While the Vikings have already been eliminated from playoff contention, the Bears and Green Bay Packers remain firmly in the postseason hunt, ensuring high stakes across the NFC North.

Dan Campbell Reacts After Rams Loss

Following the Lions’ loss to the Los Angeles Rams on December 14, head coach Dan Campbell addressed the team’s mindset moving forward.

“Don’t go numb to the losses,” Campbell said. “It should burn at you. It should eat you up. We’ve got to get out of that rut.”

Campbell also pointed to Detroit’s struggles in the run game as a key factor in the loss, emphasizing the need for improvement as the season reaches its defining stretch.

What’s at Stake for Detroit

A win over the Steelers keeps the Lions’ playoff hopes alive and sets up two high-pressure divisional games to close the regular season. A loss, however, would end Detroit’s postseason aspirations, leaving the team to finish the year playing spoiler.

Either way, Sunday’s matchup against Pittsburgh represents a make-or-break moment for the Detroit Lions.