Steelers outlast Lions 29-24 in wild finish when penalty on St. Brown negates Goff's winning TD

DETROIT (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers survived a wild finish, pushing Detroit to the brink of playoff elimination and boosting their chances of winning their division for the first time in five years.

Pittsburgh held on for 29-24 win over the Lions on Sunday when Jared Goff’s touchdown on the final play was negated by an offensive pass-interference penalty on Amon-Ra St. Brown.

“It’s been playoff-type football for us the last three weeks,” Aaron Rodgers said.

The Steelers (9-6) have won three straight after a midseason slump, surging into the AFC North lead with two games remaining.

“I’m just so appreciative of the men that I work with and the fight they displayed individually and collectively,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “Certainly weren’t perfect, a lot of adversity, some of it created by us. But they didn't blink and that’s what’s required this time of year.”

In a couple of weeks, the Lions will likely have a chance to sleep in because their season probably be over.

They almost pulled off an amazing comeback after trailing by 12 points with four-plus minutes left, but they had two touchdowns negated by penalties in the final minute.

On the last play of the game, Goff threw a fourth-down pass to St. Brown just short of the goal line. The receiver pushed off cornerback Jalen Ramsey to get free, and before the Steelers could bring St. Brown to the ground, he threw a lateral to the quarterback to set up an apparent score by Goff.

Officials huddled for a couple of minutes on the field before announcing the decision to the dismay of the crowd.

With 22 seconds left, rookie Isaac TeSlaa was called for pass interference for setting a pick that freed up St. Brown, negating Goff's 1-yard TD pass.

“That's a bad call,” Goff said.

Detroit (8-7) dropped two straight games for the first time in more than three years, ending its outside shot to win a third straight NFC North title. While the Lions haven’t been eliminated from the playoffs, they have an 8% chance of earning a spot, according to the NFL.

“We know the percentages,” said Goff, who threw two of his three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. “We know we’re not eliminated. We know some things need to go our way.”

The running game certainly didn't go Detroit's way on Sunday.

Jaylen Warren had two 45-yard touchdown runs in the fourth quarter and finished with a career-high 143 yards for the Steelers, who had a 230-15 advantage in rushing yards.

Detroit’s defense, which allowed Pittsburgh to gain a season-high 481 yards, forced the Steelers to settle for a 37-yard field-goal try with 2:05 left, and Chris Boswell missed it.

The Lions had a fourth-and-2 from their 35 and Pittsburgh was called for pass interference and tripping on consecutive plays, moving the ball to the Steelers 35 and setting up the wild finish.

Rodgers finished 27 of 41 for 266 yards. He threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Kenneth Gainwell to close the first half that was initially ruled incomplete, then changed to a TD after a review. Gainwell made the catch while lying on his left side and got his right arm under the ball, then popped to his feet and scampered to the end zone.

Goff was sacked by blitzing Kyle Dugger for a safety to give the Steelers a 12-10 lead in the third quarter.

Pittsburgh converted a pair of fourth downs on the ensuing drive and elected not to go for it a third time from the Lions 5, settling for a field goal and a five-point lead after a 17-play, 64-yard drive that took nearly 10 minutes.

The Steelers went ahead 3-0 when Boswell capped their first possession with a 59-yard field goal.

The Lions could have tied the game on the ensuing possession, but coach Dan Campbell went for it on fourth-and-goal from the 3 and Goff’s pass to St. Brown in the end zone was broken up by Joey Porter Jr.

Did Campbell regret that decision after seeing that a field goal in the end would have won the game?

“No,” he said without elaborating.

Steelers receiver DK Metcalf swiped at a fan leaning over the railing in the front row during the second quarter.

Metcalf and the fan, wearing a black-and-blue shirt and a blue wig, were speaking to each other before the two-time Pro Bowler threw a right hand toward the man’s face. Metcalf did not appear to make much, if any contact.

Although game officials didn't penalize Metcalf, the league will review the incident and he could face discipline.

Pittsburgh secured its 22nd straight season with at least a .500 record, breaking the NFL record it previously shared with the Dallas Cowboys, who had a 21-year run without a losing season from 1965-85. Tomlin has finished at .500 or better in each of his 19 seasons.

Steelers: CB Brandin Echols (groin) left the game in the second quarter. ... Two starters were inactive — OLB T.J. Watt (lung) and OG Isaac Seumalo (triceps) — along with reserve OLB Nick Herbig (hamstring).

Lions: C Graham Glasgow (knee) and C Trystan Colon (wrist) were inactive, giving 24-year-old Kingsley Eguakun his first start after he played in two games sparingly in September, and G Kayode Awosika (foot) missed his third straight game.

Steelers: At Cleveland next Sunday.

Lions: At Minnesota on Christmas Day.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Detroit Lions' Jared Goff passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)

Pittsburgh Steelers' Aaron Rodgers passes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell talks with officials after the final play of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Detroit Lions' Jared Goff (16) waits for a call on the final play of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Pittsburgh Steelers' Asante Samuel Jr. (22) Joey Porter Jr. (24) and Jalen Ramsey (5) celebrate after Pittsburgh won an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Bijan Robinson had another outstanding game running the ball and catching it, talented tight end Kyle Pitts caught a touchdown pass, and the Atlanta defense made a big play in a critical moment.

This was what the Falcons were supposed to look like this season.

The good times have come too late for the Falcons to make a run at the postseason, but Sunday's 26-19 victory over the Arizona Cardinals was a reminder that this is a roster with the potential to produce positive results.

“It shows guys what this team should look like on a consistent basis, every time we're out there,” coach Raheem Morris said.

The Falcons (6-9) won for the second straight week, with both coming on the road. They've won three of their last five, bouncing back after a five-game skid that derailed their season.

Atlanta controlled much of the second half, building a 26-16 lead by early in the fourth quarter, but Arizona rallied and made a fourth-down defensive stop at its own 40-yard line with 2:05 left. That gave the Cardinals a chance to tie the game or take the lead.

Atlanta's C.J. Henderson — who was elevated from the practice squad on Saturday — made a diving interception of Jacoby Brissett's pass with 1:30 remaining to secure the win.

“I've been staying ready the entire time, so I wasn't surprised,” Henderson said.

Robinson had 92 yards receiving on seven catches, including a 13-yard touchdown, and added 76 yards rushing on 16 carries. The 23-year-old became the third player in franchise history to gain at least 2,000 yards from scrimmage in a season, joining Jamal Anderson (1998) and William Andrews (1981 and 1983).

“That's a real-deal stat — doing 2,000 from scrimmage,” Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins said. “It's hard to do if you're not healthy, so the fact that he's durable enough to do it is a big deal.”

Arizona (3-12) has lost seven straight and 12 of 13 since starting the season 2-0.

The Falcons pushed ahead 26-16 early in the fourth quarter when Cousins scored on a 1-yard run, which capped a 12-play, 66-yard drive. Arizona cut the deficit to 26-19 with 4:37 left on Chad Ryland's 34-yard field goal, taking advantage of Cousins' fumble at midfield.

“I loved the resilience,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said. “I thought we battled in there, but ultimately fell a little short. I thought a key component of the game is that we moved it, but had to settle for some field goals. They converted some touchdowns.”

Brissett completed 16 of 31 passes for 203 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The veteran has a 1-9 record as the Cardinals' starter since taking over for the injured Kyler Murray in Week 6.

Arizona tight end Elijah Higgins had 91 yards receiving on seven catches.

Atlanta rallied from an early 10-point deficit to tie the game at 16-all heading into halftime. Cousins hit Pitts for an 11-yard touchdown with 25 seconds left in the second quarter. Calais Campbell, Arizona's 39-year-old defensive end, blocked the extra-point attempt to keep the Falcons from taking the lead.

Arizona tried a 50-yard field goal to take the lead just before the break, but Ryland's kick was no good, bouncing off the right upright.

Ryland also missed a 44-yard attempt in the third quarter wide right.

The Cardinals took a 10-0 lead midway through the first quarter after Michael Wilson made a circus catch for a 32-yard touchdown. Falcons cornerback Cobee Bryant and Wilson tumbled into the end zone as they fought for possession and the ball bounced between them, eventually settling between Wilson's legs without hitting the ground.

Cardinals tight end Trey McBride caught four passes for 27 yards, which snapped a personal streak of 16 straight games with at least five receptions. The 16-game streak was an NFL record for a tight end.

Cardinals: CB Max Melton (heel), LT Paris Johnson Jr. (knee) and S Jalen Thompson (hamstring) were among six inactives. ... CB Garrett Williams (Achilles tendon) left in the first quarter and had to be carted off the field after the non-contact injury. ... Rookie DL Walter Nolen III (knee) was carted off in the third quarter. ... DL Josh Sweat (ankle) was hurt during the first quarter and initially returned, but was ruled out in the third quarter.

Falcons: Host the Los Angeles Rams on Monday, Dec. 29.

Cardinals: At Cincinnati next Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) scores a touchdown against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Cobee Bryant (37) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) blocks a pass against Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Arnold Ebiketie (17) sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. (8) makes the catch against Arizona Cardinals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (27) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) scores a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)