NFL Football
2025-12-21 - Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NFL Week 16
Sunday 21st December 2025 - Scheduled 4:25pm
9:25pm (British Time)
Preview
Both of these teams are in a position to push their way into the Playoffs, although there is a feeling that the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) pathway is much clearer than the one faced by the Detroit Lions (8-6), despite both holding the same record in different Conferences.
The record has proven to be good enough for the Steelers to lead the AFC North and they remain a game ahead of the Baltimore Ravens, while Pittsburgh would also be in touch with those teams chasing Wild Card spots. Winning out is important for Aaron Rodgers, who is incredibly familiar with the Lions from his time with the Green Bay Packers, and the Steelers in their bid to return to the Playoff.
For the Detroit Lions, 8-6 means being third in the tough NFC North and the team are needing to win out and hope for results to land their way in order to finish in a Wild Card spot. The likelihood of winning the Division again look very, very slim after the latest loss and Head Coach Dan Campbell will be disappointed by some recent inconsistency as injuries continue to take a toll on the team.
One important factor to note is that the Lions have bounced back from losses and they are looking to do that again this weekend. Under Dan Campbell, not only do the Detroit Lions regularly avoid back to back losses, but they tend to come out with something to prove and that will be the case in this Week 16 game.
There has to be some real excitement amongst the group after seeing the way the Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled to stop the run in recent weeks and they are going to have to deal with 'Sonic and Knuckles' this time.
Both David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs should get back on track in this one, especially with the Steelers set to be without TJ Watt again, and the Detroit Lions should keep Jared Goff in third and manageable spots throughout the game.
Jared Goff should have a touch more time in the pocket with Watt out of the game, but he also should not have to hold onto the ball for too long as he looks to attack this Pittsburgh Secondary. Credit has to be given to the Steelers for the performance in the win over the Miami Dolphins, but playing in Detroit against this Lions Offensive unit is a different challenge and the pressure will be on Quarter Back Aaron Rodgers to keep up on the scoreboard.
The injuries have piled up on the Defensive side of the ball as far as Detroit are concerned and that should offer Pittsburgh real encouragement.
However, the Steelers have not always been the most consistent Offensive team, although Aaron Rodgers has led his team to consecutive wins to hold onto the Divisional lead.
Aaron Rodgers has found some chemistry with his Receivers and Kenneth Gainwell has given the team a real spark running the ball and so you do have to expect the Steelers to at least move the chains and have some Offensive successes. They should find some balance, but the Steelers Offensive Line can be a little hit or miss and this Detroit Lions team may have the anger and motivation to wear down a team playing on a short week.
As mentioned before, Detroit have bounced back from straight up losses very well under Head Coach Dan Campbell and this game feels more important to them than the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It means plenty to the Steelers, but the Lions would be on the brink of elimination with a defeat and that motivation is going to keep them focused and ready to grind down this opponent at home.
Covering will not be easy, but find any layer that takes the juice out of the price by dropping the line below a key number 7.
Prediction
If you look around, you can hopefully drop this number below a key number 7, but laying the points with the home favourite looks the right call.
The Pick :
Detroit Lions 30-20 Pittsburgh Steelers
