Steelers victory over Lions ends in controversy: Making sense of wild ending in Detroit

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Week 16 2025 NFL the season has delivered instant classic after instant classic, and Pittsburgh Steelers(9-6) away win with a score of 29-24 at Detroit Lions (8-7) had the wildest finish of all on Sunday night.

The week started with Seattle Seahawks erased a 30-14 deficit in the fourth quarter and won 38-37 in overtime for its third successful two-point conversion of the Thursday night classic, but what happened at Detroit's Ford Field on Sunday afternoon may be the craziest final game yet.

The Lions' quarterback faces fourth-and-goal from the nine with eight seconds remaining. Jared Goff stepped back to pass and hit the top target Amon-Ra St. Brown near the goal line, but St. Brown was clearly going to be tackled out of the end zone. That's when the All-Pro wide receiver frantically threw the ball back in hopes that his teammate would get the ball back and run for the game-winning touchdown. Funnily enough, Goff did just that, even though the Steelers defense seemed to call it quits because it looked like St. Brown was held up long enough for the play to be blown by forward progress.

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However, Goff's goal and St. Brown's sideline goal were nullified because St. Brown pushed the Steelers All-Pro defensive back. Jalen Ramsey make the first catch at the beginning of the game.

Referee Carl Cheffers explained that because the penalty was called for a violation, Goff's touchdown was voided. Under NFL rules, an offensive penalty as time expires does not result in a replay of the previous play, so the Steelers pulled off a decisive late-season victory.

The Lions' playoff hopes are now dashed by a last-second loss. Detroit needs Green Bay Packerscurrent holder of the NFC's seventh and final playoff spot, will lose its final two games against Baltimore Ravens (7-8) and Minnesota Vikings (7-8), and the Lions also need to win their last two games against the Vikings and the NFC North leader. Chicago Bears (11-4).

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