DETROIT — The Detroit Lions were primed to take a 10-3 lead into halftime. But another defensive meltdown to end the first half came back to haunt them for the second straight game.
Detroit and the Steelers are tied at the break, 10-10, thanks to the teams trading late scores after the two-minute warning at Ford Field.
Goff hit TeSlaa for a 20-yard touchdown on the first play after the two-minute warning on first-and-10. The rookie wideout has 10 catches on the season, with five of those going for touchdowns. The offense went 62 yards on six plays in just a little more than 2 minutes to take the lead with the game’s first and only touchdown to this point.
But, for the second straight game, as noted, the Lions allowed a late first-half scoring drive while protecting a lead. The Steelers chipped away, moving the chains three times, then they hit the big one to tie the game. Aaron Rodgers went deep for Kenneth Gainwell, and the Steelers running back made the catch through defensive pass interference on Alex Anzalone, then got up and walked the ball in for the 45-yard game-tying score with 2 seconds left in the first half.
The Lions went three-and-out to open the game, with those interior offensive line concerns coming to life. Kingsley Eguakun got the first start of his career at center, and Christian Mahogany was playing his first game in a month-plus. Jared Goff hit Amon-Ra St. Brown for 7 yards to open, but then got sacked and threw a swing pass to Jahmyr Gibbs for nothing.
Pittsburgh’s offense worked its way downfield on its first possession. But the first Hutchinson sack of the half and an Anzalone pass deflection held them to a field goal. Steelers kicker Chris Boswell hit the 59-yard kick with 9:21 remaining in the first quarter.
The Lions worked their way down the field on the quest to answer the opening score. Tight end Anthony Firkser caught three passes for 34 yards, and David Montgomery broke a 17-yard run to put the offense in scoring position. But they rolled the dice on fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line, and came away empty-handed.
Goff had to roll out under pressure and try to buy some time, and St. Brown was unable to make the play at the goal line. Pittsburgh took over at its own 3-yard line with 2:07 left in the first quarter, with a 3-0 lead.
Detroit’s defense got off the field after Aaron Rodgers and Co. worked their way from the shadow of the goal posts with a pair of first downs. They forced a punt with 13:40 remaining in the second quarter, then an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the Steelers to put them at the 33-yard line to start the drive.
Goff and the Lions again found some life, with Jameson Williams catching a pair of passes, and Amon-Ra St. Brown converting on third-and-6. But they ran out of gas at the 18-yard line, settling for the Jake Bates 36-yard field goal to tie it up, 3-3, with 10:10 remaining in the first half.
The first three-and-out from the defense came with 7:54 left in the second quarter. But the offense gave it right back, going sack, incompletion and pass short of the sticks to go three-and-out in the ugly first half.
Hutchinson is doing his best to give this team a chance, with his second sack of the first half forcing a three-and-out with 4:02 left before the break. The offense finally took advantage of the stop, running some tempo and hitting three straight quick passes.
For those in need of a refresher, the Lions really need to win out to give themselves their best shot at making the playoffs.
If they win out, they can make the playoffs with the San Francisco 49ers losing out, or the Packers losing one to the Baltimore Ravens or Minnesota Vikings. On top of that, the Bears losing to the 49ers, with the Lions winning three straight, would also get the job done. If Detroit ends up losing this game, they need the Packers to lose to the Ravens and Vikings, while going 2-1 down the stretch.
