FOOTBALL: Jaylen Warren, Steelers hold off Lions in wild finish

Jaylen Warren rushed for 143 yards and scored two touchdowns as the Pittsburgh Steelers edged the Detroit Lions, 29-24, on Sunday afternoon.

Kenneth Gainwell added a highlight-reel touchdown reception, while Pittsburgh extended its winning streak to three games and improved to 9-6. The victory also ensured the Steelers will finish the regular season without a losing record, continuing a streak that dates back to 2004.

Aaron Rodgers completed 27 of 41 passes for 266 yards and one touchdown for Pittsburgh. Detroit fell to 8-7 despite a strong passing performance from Jared Goff, who threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns on 34-of-54 passing. Isaac TeSlaa, Kalif Raymond, and Jahmyr Gibbs each caught a touchdown for the Lions.

The game ended in dramatic fashion when Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was called for offensive pass interference on what would have been a game-winning touchdown as time expired. Officials conferred for several minutes before confirming the penalty, sealing the Steelers’ win.

Pittsburgh struck first in the opening quarter as Chris Boswell drilled a 59-yard field goal. Detroit answered later in the half with Jake Bates’ 36-yard kick to tie the game at 3-3.

The Lions took a 10-3 lead late in the second quarter when Goff connected with TeSlaa on a 20-yard touchdown pass over the middle with 1:55 remaining.

However, the Steelers responded in the closing seconds of the half. Gainwell hauled in a high-arching pass near the Lions’ 15-yard line, regained his balance, and raced into the end zone for a 45-yard touchdown to tie the game at 10-10 at halftime.

Pittsburgh seized momentum early in the third quarter as safety Kyle Dugger sacked Goff in the end zone for a safety, giving the Steelers a 12-10 lead. Boswell later added a 23-yard field goal to extend the advantage to 15-10.

Warren broke the game open midway through the third quarter with a 45-yard touchdown run, outrunning the Detroit defense to make it 22-10.

Goff kept the Lions within striking distance with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Raymond, trimming the deficit to 22-17. Warren answered again with another 45-yard rushing touchdown, pushing Pittsburgh’s lead to 29-17.

Detroit made one final push when Goff found Gibbs for a 4-yard touchdown with 4:11 remaining, but the Steelers’ defense held firm down the stretch to secure the win. -Field Level Media/Reuters