Pittsburgh Steelers vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats

The Pittsburgh Steelers vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats from December 22, 2025, tell the story of a close and highly productive NFL game that Pittsburgh ultimately won 29-24. The Steelers entered the matchup with a 9-6 record and finished with a strong fourth-quarter surge, while the Lions fell to 8-7 despite Jared Goff throwing for 364 yards and three touchdowns. The biggest statistical difference came on the ground, where Pittsburgh rushed for 230 yards compared with only 15 yards for Detroit.

This was not a game where the final score alone explained what happened. Detroit produced more passing yards and more total defensive tackles, but Pittsburgh created a much more balanced offensive attack. Jaylen Warren was the standout difference-maker, rushing for 143 yards and two touchdowns on only 14 carries. Aaron Rodgers also delivered an efficient enough performance to keep Pittsburgh competitive before the Steelers took control late.

The final score was Pittsburgh 29, Detroit 24, but the underlying numbers reveal several important details about how the game developed. Pittsburgh scored 17 points in the fourth quarter after entering the period trailing, while Detroit’s rushing attack struggled throughout the afternoon. Those contrasting trends provide the clearest statistical explanation for the result.

Table of Contents

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats at a Glance

Category	Pittsburgh Steelers	Detroit Lions
Final Score	29	24
Record After Game	9-6	8-7
Passing	266 yards	364 yards
Rushing	230 yards	15 yards
Total Receptions	27	34
Passing TDs	1	3
Rushing TDs	2	0
Sacks Allowed	2	3
Defensive Tackles	66	74
Sacks	3	2
Turnovers Lost	1	0
Field Goals	2/3	1/1
Extra Points	3/3	3/3

The table immediately shows the unusual nature of the matchup.

Detroit had a substantial passing advantage, with Goff throwing for 364 yards compared with Rodgers’ 266. The Lions also completed 34 receptions, seven more than Pittsburgh. Yet the Steelers dominated rushing production by a remarkable margin.

Pittsburgh’s 230 rushing yards were more than 15 times Detroit’s 15 rushing yards. That difference helped Pittsburgh remain competitive despite trailing in passing production.

The game therefore provides a useful example of why individual statistics should always be examined alongside team-level numbers.

Final Score and Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown

The Steelers scored 29 points and the Lions scored 24.

The scoring progression was particularly important because Pittsburgh finished with a dramatic fourth-quarter push.

Quarter	Steelers	Lions
Q1	3	0
Q2	7	10
Q3	2	0
Q4	17	14
Total	29	24

Pittsburgh opened the game with three points and held Detroit scoreless in the first quarter. The Lions responded in the second quarter by scoring 10 points, while Pittsburgh added seven.

The third quarter was unusual. Pittsburgh scored only two points, while Detroit was held without a point. That kept the game within reach despite Pittsburgh’s limited offensive output during the period.

The fourth quarter became the decisive stage.

Pittsburgh scored 17 points, while Detroit scored 14. That was enough for the Steelers to overcome the pressure of a competitive game and finish with a five-point victory.

From a statistical perspective, the fourth-quarter scoring difference is one of the most important numbers in the entire box score.

Aaron Rodgers Passing Performance

Aaron Rodgers finished as Pittsburgh’s passing leader with 27 completions on 41 attempts.

His final passing line was:

27 completions
41 attempts
266 passing yards
1 touchdown
0 interceptions
2 sacks

Rodgers completed approximately 65.9% of his attempts. He did not throw an interception, which was important in a game decided by only five points.

His 266 passing yards were not spectacular compared with Goff’s total, but Rodgers’ performance fit into Pittsburgh’s broader offensive approach. The Steelers did not need Rodgers to throw for 350 or 400 yards because their rushing attack generated 230 yards.

The absence of an interception was particularly valuable. Detroit’s offense generated three passing touchdowns, so Pittsburgh needed to avoid giving away extra possessions.

Rodgers’ performance can therefore be viewed in context. His contribution was less about overwhelming passing volume and more about protecting the football while allowing the rushing game to remain a major part of the offense.

Jared Goff Passing Stats

Jared Goff produced the largest passing total of either quarterback.

His final statistics were:

34 completions
54 attempts
364 passing yards
3 touchdowns
0 interceptions
3 sacks

Goff completed approximately 63.0% of his attempts and threw three touchdown passes without an interception.

The 364 passing yards were 98 more than Rodgers’ total.

That is an important statistic because it demonstrates that Detroit’s passing game was capable of producing substantial yardage. The problem was that the Lions could not complement that production with a functional rushing attack.

Goff also faced three sacks compared with two allowed by Pittsburgh. While one sack is not an enormous difference by itself, it contributed to the overall efficiency gap in a game decided by a narrow margin.

Detroit’s passing production was therefore strong, but it was not enough to compensate for the team’s extreme rushing deficiency.

Jaylen Warren Was the Biggest Statistical Difference-Maker

Jaylen Warren produced one of the most important individual performances of the game.

His rushing numbers were:

14 carries
143 rushing yards
2 rushing touchdowns
45-yard long

Warren averaged approximately 10.2 yards per carry.

That is an extraordinary rushing average, especially considering he carried the ball only 14 times.

His longest run of 45 yards demonstrates how Pittsburgh generated explosive plays on the ground. More importantly, Warren turned his opportunities into touchdowns, giving Pittsburgh two rushing scores.

The comparison with Detroit’s entire rushing attack is striking.

Warren alone gained 143 yards. Detroit’s entire team produced just 15 rushing yards.

That means Warren gained more than nine times as many rushing yards as the entire Lions team.

This is one of the clearest statistical reasons Pittsburgh was able to win despite Detroit’s advantage through the air.

Pittsburgh’s Rushing Attack

The Steelers finished with:

27 rushing attempts
230 rushing yards
8.5 yards per carry
2 rushing touchdowns

An 8.5-yard average across 27 attempts indicates that Pittsburgh was consistently capable of creating significant yardage on the ground.

The team total also shows that Warren’s performance was not an isolated event in the context of the entire rushing offense. His 143 yards represented a major portion of the total, but Pittsburgh still finished with 87 additional rushing yards from its other contributors.

The two rushing touchdowns also mattered.

Detroit produced zero rushing touchdowns, while Pittsburgh produced two. In a five-point game, that scoring difference was significant.

Pittsburgh’s rushing efficiency gave the offense another way to move the ball when passing production was comparatively modest.

Detroit’s Rushing Attack Struggled

Detroit’s rushing numbers were one of the biggest statistical disappointments of the game.

The Lions finished with:

12 carries
15 rushing yards
1.3 yards per carry
0 rushing touchdowns

David Montgomery was Detroit’s rushing leader with four carries for 14 yards, averaging 3.5 yards per carry.

The team average of 1.3 yards per carry is the key figure.

Detroit attempted only 12 rushing plays, compared with Pittsburgh’s 27. That difference in both volume and efficiency made it difficult for the Lions to establish a balanced offensive attack.

The lack of rushing success also placed greater responsibility on Goff and the passing game.

Goff responded with 364 yards and three touchdowns, but the offense became heavily dependent on the passing game. Against a Steelers defense that produced three sacks and nine quarterback hits, that imbalance created additional pressure.

Kenny Gainwell’s Receiving Contribution

Kenny Gainwell led Pittsburgh’s receivers with:

5 receptions
78 receiving yards
1 touchdown
45-yard long

His 45-yard reception was Pittsburgh’s longest recorded reception in the supplied statistics.

Gainwell’s touchdown also provided an important scoring contribution in a game where Pittsburgh’s offense needed production from multiple areas.

His 78 receiving yards represented nearly 29% of Pittsburgh’s 266 team receiving yards.

That makes his contribution particularly meaningful. Pittsburgh did not rely on one huge receiving performance. Instead, Gainwell provided a productive share of the passing output while the rushing game supplied the majority of the offensive balance.

Pittsburgh Receiving Team Statistics

The Steelers completed 27 receptions for 266 yards and one touchdown.

The overall receiving numbers match Rodgers’ passing total, providing a straightforward picture of Pittsburgh’s passing production.

Compared with Detroit, Pittsburgh had:

7 fewer receptions
98 fewer passing yards
2 fewer passing touchdowns

Those numbers might initially suggest a significant advantage for Detroit.

However, Pittsburgh compensated with its running game.

This is an important lesson when analyzing NFL box scores. A team can lose the passing statistics but still control the overall offensive balance if its rushing attack is considerably more efficient.

Jameson Williams Leads Detroit Receivers

Jameson Williams was Detroit’s receiving leader with:

5 receptions
70 receiving yards

His 70 yards represented the highest receiving total among the listed Lions players.

Detroit’s receiving production was distributed across a larger volume of completions. The Lions recorded 34 receptions for 364 yards and three touchdowns.

That means Detroit’s passing attack generated both volume and scoring production.

Williams’ five catches show that he was an important part of the passing attack, although his 70 yards were less than Gainwell’s 78 receiving yards.

The broader difference was not simply about the leading receiver. Detroit had a productive passing game overall, but Pittsburgh’s rushing advantage was large enough to outweigh it.

Detroit’s Passing Game vs Pittsburgh’s Ground Game

One of the most interesting comparisons in the box score is Goff’s passing production against Warren’s rushing production.

Goff:

364 passing yards
3 passing touchdowns
0 interceptions

Warren:

143 rushing yards
2 rushing touchdowns
10.2 yards per carry

Goff generated 221 more yards than Warren, but Warren produced only 14 rushing attempts compared with Goff’s 54 passing attempts.

That difference highlights two very different offensive strategies.

Detroit relied heavily on the passing game. Pittsburgh produced explosive rushing efficiency.

Neither approach is automatically better, but in this particular matchup Pittsburgh’s balance proved more effective on the scoreboard.

Defensive Player Stats

Defense was another area where the individual numbers provide useful context.

Pittsburgh recorded:

66 total tackles
39 solo tackles
3 sacks
7 tackles for loss
6 passes defended
9 quarterback hits

Detroit recorded:

74 total tackles
38 solo tackles
2 sacks
4 tackles for loss
5 passes defended
3 quarterback hits

Detroit had more total tackles, 74 compared with Pittsburgh’s 66.

However, Pittsburgh produced more sacks, tackles for loss, passes defended and quarterback hits.

This is a good example of why total tackles alone should not be treated as a direct measure of defensive dominance.

A defense can record more tackles because it is forced to make more stops after plays develop. Other metrics can provide more information about disruption at the line of scrimmage and pressure on the quarterback.

Kyle Dugger’s Defensive Performance

Kyle Dugger led Pittsburgh’s defense in the supplied individual statistics.

His line included:

7 tackles
6 solo tackles
1 sack
1 tackle for loss

The seven tackles tied him for a productive defensive workload, while the sack and tackle for loss demonstrated his ability to make plays behind the line.

Pittsburgh finished with three total sacks, meaning Dugger accounted for one-third of the team’s sack total.

His performance was therefore more than simply a high tackle count. He also contributed direct pressure and negative-yardage production.

Jack Campbell’s 16-Tackle Performance

Jack Campbell was Detroit’s defensive leader with an impressive 16 tackles.

His listed statistics were:

16 tackles
7 solo tackles
2 passes defended

The 16 tackles were significantly higher than Pittsburgh’s defensive leader total of seven.

Campbell’s tackle volume demonstrates how heavily involved he was throughout the game.

However, the contrast between his individual production and Detroit’s final result is important. A defender can record a huge number of tackles while the team still struggles to stop explosive plays.

Detroit’s defense recorded 74 tackles overall, but Pittsburgh’s offense still averaged 8.5 yards per rushing attempt.

That contrast shows why tackle totals need to be interpreted alongside efficiency and big-play statistics.

Sacks and Quarterback Pressure

Quarterback pressure was another area where Pittsburgh held an advantage.

Defensive Category	Steelers	Lions
Sacks	3	2
Quarterback Hits	9	3
Tackles for Loss	7	4
Passes Defended	6	5

The most noticeable number is quarterback hits.

Pittsburgh recorded nine quarterback hits compared with only three for Detroit.

That is a six-hit difference and indicates that the Steelers generated substantially more disruption against the quarterback.

Detroit still managed three passing touchdowns, so Pittsburgh’s pressure did not completely shut down the Lions passing game.

But the pressure helped prevent Detroit from turning its large passing volume into an even bigger scoring advantage.

Turnovers and Ball Security

Turnovers were relatively limited.

Pittsburgh recorded one fumble by Darnell Washington, and it was lost.

Detroit recorded a fumble by Jahmyr Gibbs, but it was not lost. Jack Campbell was also credited with a fumble recovery in the supplied defensive statistics.

Neither team recorded an interception.

This means Pittsburgh lost one possession through a fumble, while Detroit did not lose a fumble.

That is noteworthy because the Steelers still won despite having the only listed lost fumble.

The game therefore was not decided by a classic turnover battle. Pittsburgh’s advantage came more from offensive efficiency, rushing production and late scoring.

Special Teams Statistics

Special teams also contributed useful information.

Pittsburgh Kick Returns

The Steelers recorded:

4 kick returns
99 return yards
24.8-yard average
29-yard long

Detroit Kick Returns

The Lions recorded:

5 kick returns
134 return yards
26.8-yard average
31-yard long

Detroit had the better kick-return average and more total return yards.

Punt Returns

Pittsburgh recorded one punt return for nine yards.

Detroit recorded three punt returns for 16 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per return.

The special teams numbers therefore gave Detroit some field-position production, but they did not translate into enough offensive advantage to change the result.

Chris Boswell’s Kicking Performance

Chris Boswell finished 2-for-3 on field-goal attempts.

His statistics were:

2 field goals made
3 attempts
66.7% success rate
59-yard long
3 extra points made
9 total points

The 59-yard field goal was especially notable.

Boswell’s nine points represented a meaningful contribution in a five-point victory.

His ability to convert from long range gave Pittsburgh another scoring avenue and helped the Steelers build their final total without relying entirely on touchdowns.

Jake Bates’ Kicking Performance

Jake Bates was perfect on his field-goal opportunity.

His line was:

1-for-1 field goals
36-yard long
3-for-3 extra points
6 total points

Bates converted every kick he attempted.

Detroit’s kicker therefore did not leave any listed field-goal opportunities unconverted, but the Lions still finished five points behind Pittsburgh.

Punting Comparison

The punting numbers were relatively close.

Corliss Waitman recorded:

3 punts
150 total yards
50.0-yard average
54-yard long

Jack Fox recorded:

3 punts
159 total yards
53.0-yard average
54-yard long

Fox had a three-yard advantage in average punt distance and nine more total punt yards.

Neither punter had a dramatically different statistical performance based on the supplied figures.

What the Statistics Say About Pittsburgh’s Victory

The most important takeaway is that Pittsburgh won through balance and efficiency rather than passing volume.

Detroit won several major statistical categories:

More passing yards
More receptions
More passing touchdowns
More total tackles
More kick-return yards

Yet Pittsburgh won the game.

Why?

The Steelers dominated the rushing category.

Pittsburgh produced 230 rushing yards at 8.5 yards per carry. Detroit produced only 15 rushing yards at 1.3 yards per carry.

That is not a small advantage. It is a fundamental difference in offensive efficiency.

Pittsburgh also recorded more sacks, more quarterback hits and more tackles for loss.

The Steelers’ defensive pressure limited the effectiveness of Detroit’s otherwise productive passing attack.

Finally, Pittsburgh scored 17 points in the fourth quarter.

That late scoring burst transformed the game and ultimately produced the five-point victory.

Why Jared Goff’s 364 Passing Yards Were Not Enough

It may seem surprising that Goff threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns while Detroit lost.

The explanation lies in how those passing yards were balanced against the rest of the game.

Detroit rushed for only 15 yards.

That meant the Lions had almost no ground production to support the passing attack. Goff had to handle a huge amount of the offensive workload, attempting 54 passes.

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, had a much more balanced attack.

Rodgers attempted 41 passes, while the Steelers ran the ball 27 times.

The difference in offensive distribution allowed Pittsburgh to create explosive plays without asking Rodgers to carry the entire offense.

This is why passing yards alone are not enough to evaluate quarterback performance or team offensive success.

Why Jaylen Warren’s 143 Yards Mattered So Much

Warren’s performance was central to the outcome.

His 143 rushing yards came on just 14 attempts, and he scored twice.

His 45-yard long run demonstrated the explosive potential of Pittsburgh’s ground attack.

More importantly, his production helped Pittsburgh create an offensive identity that Detroit struggled to neutralize.

The Steelers did not need to match Goff’s 364 passing yards.

Instead, they created a different path to scoring.

That path involved efficient rushing, explosive plays, red-zone production and a strong fourth quarter.

The Importance of the Fourth Quarter

The fourth quarter deserves special attention because it was where the final result was decided.

Pittsburgh scored 17 points.

Detroit scored 14.

A three-point quarter advantage may not sound huge, but Pittsburgh entered the final period needing a strong finish and ultimately created enough offense to win.

The fourth-quarter scoring also illustrates why game flow matters when interpreting statistics.

A team can trail in several statistical categories and still win if it produces its best football during the most decisive moments.

Pittsburgh’s fourth-quarter performance was the clearest example of that principle in this matchup.

A Deeper Look at Offensive Efficiency

The matchup can be viewed through a simple efficiency lens.

Pittsburgh averaged 8.5 yards per rushing attempt.

Detroit averaged only 1.3.

That means Pittsburgh generated more than six times as many rushing yards per attempt as Detroit.

At the same time, Detroit’s passing attack was much more productive in terms of raw yardage.

The result was an interesting offensive contrast:

Pittsburgh: lower passing production, elite rushing production.

Detroit: high passing production, extremely poor rushing production.

The Steelers’ model proved more effective because the running game produced both yardage and touchdowns.

The Statistical Story of the Defenses

The defensive numbers reveal another important contrast.

Detroit recorded 74 tackles, eight more than Pittsburgh.

But Pittsburgh produced:

1 more sack
3 more tackles for loss
3 more quarterback hits
1 more pass defended

These numbers point toward greater disruption from the Steelers.

Detroit’s defense was certainly busy, particularly Campbell, who recorded 16 tackles.

But Pittsburgh’s defense generated more direct pressure.

The nine quarterback hits against Goff are especially important because Detroit’s offense relied heavily on the passing game.

Pressure does not always appear directly in the final score, but it can influence timing, play selection and offensive efficiency.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats: Key Winners

Several players stand out when the complete box score is considered.

Jaylen Warren

Warren was arguably the most influential offensive player.

His 143 rushing yards and two touchdowns provided Pittsburgh with a major advantage.

Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers protected the football with zero interceptions and added 266 passing yards and one touchdown.

His performance was important because Pittsburgh did not need him to win a passing shootout.

Kenny Gainwell

Gainwell led Pittsburgh in receiving with 78 yards and a touchdown.

His 45-yard reception also supplied an explosive passing play.

Kyle Dugger

Dugger recorded seven tackles, six solo tackles, one sack and one tackle for loss.

He was an important contributor to Pittsburgh’s defensive pressure.

Jared Goff

Goff’s 364 passing yards and three touchdowns were impressive even in defeat.

He kept Detroit’s offense competitive and produced the game’s strongest passing statistics.

Jameson Williams

Williams led Detroit’s listed receiving production with five catches for 70 yards.

Jack Campbell

Campbell’s 16 tackles were the highest individual tackle total in the supplied statistics.

His defensive workload was substantial even though Detroit could not secure the win.

What Fans Should Take Away From the Box Score

A useful box-score analysis should answer more than “Who had the most yards?”

This game offers several broader lessons.

First, passing production does not guarantee victory.

Second, explosive rushing efficiency can compensate for a passing-yardage deficit.

Third, defensive pressure can matter even when the opposing quarterback throws multiple touchdowns.

Fourth, late-game scoring can outweigh statistics accumulated earlier in the contest.

Finally, individual statistics need to be interpreted within team context.

Goff’s 364 yards were impressive. Warren’s 143 rushing yards were impressive. Campbell’s 16 tackles were impressive.

But Pittsburgh’s combination of rushing efficiency, defensive disruption and fourth-quarter scoring produced the winning formula.

Statistical Summary

Here is a condensed view of the most important individual performances.

Player	Team	Key Statistics
Aaron Rodgers	Pittsburgh	27/41, 266 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
Jaylen Warren	Pittsburgh	14 carries, 143 yards, 2 TDs
Kenny Gainwell	Pittsburgh	5 receptions, 78 yards, 1 TD
Kyle Dugger	Pittsburgh	7 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL
Chris Boswell	Pittsburgh	2/3 FG, 3/3 XP, 9 points
Jared Goff	Detroit	34/54, 364 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT
David Montgomery	Detroit	4 carries, 14 yards
Jameson Williams	Detroit	5 receptions, 70 yards
Jack Campbell	Detroit	16 tackles, 2 PD
Jake Bates	Detroit	1/1 FG, 3/3 XP, 6 points

The table makes the central contrast easy to see.

Detroit’s strongest production came through the air and on defense.

Pittsburgh’s biggest advantages came through rushing, quarterback pressure and late-game scoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Steelers vs Lions game on December 22, 2025?

The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Detroit Lions 29-24 on December 22, 2025.

How many rushing yards did Jaylen Warren have?

Jaylen Warren rushed for 143 yards on 14 carries and scored two touchdowns. His longest run was 45 yards.

How many passing yards did Jared Goff have?

Jared Goff completed 34 of 54 passes for 364 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.

How many rushing yards did the Steelers have?

Pittsburgh finished with 230 rushing yards on 27 carries, averaging 8.5 yards per attempt and scoring two rushing touchdowns.

How many rushing yards did the Lions have?

Detroit finished with only 15 rushing yards on 12 attempts, averaging 1.3 yards per carry.

Who led the game in tackles?

Detroit linebacker Jack Campbell led the listed defensive statistics with 16 tackles and two passes defended.

Conclusion

The Pittsburgh Steelers vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats show a game defined by contrasting offensive philosophies.

Detroit’s passing game was the most productive aerial attack in the matchup. Jared Goff threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns, while the Lions finished with 34 receptions for 364 yards.

Pittsburgh answered with a dramatically more effective rushing attack. The Steelers ran for 230 yards at 8.5 yards per attempt, with Jaylen Warren accounting for 143 yards and two touchdowns.

The defensive statistics tell another important part of the story. Pittsburgh recorded three sacks, seven tackles for loss and nine quarterback hits. Detroit had more total tackles, but the Steelers generated more disruption.

Special teams were relatively competitive, with both kickers converting all extra-point attempts and each punter averaging at least 50 yards per punt.

Ultimately, the five-point result was shaped by three major statistical themes: Pittsburgh’s dominant rushing efficiency, its ability to pressure Goff and its 17-point fourth quarter.

Detroit proved capable of moving the football through the air, but the lack of a functioning rushing attack made the offense heavily dependent on Goff. Pittsburgh had the luxury of producing significant yardage on the ground while Rodgers protected the football.

That balance was the defining statistical advantage.

The final 29-24 score therefore makes sense when the complete box score is examined. Detroit won the passing-yardage battle, but Pittsburgh won the categories that translated more effectively into the final result.