The Overlooked Play That Led to the Steelers' Victory Against the Lions
In this series, we delve into the often overlooked yet pivotal moments that influenced the outcomes of Pittsburgh Steelers games—moments that don’t make it to Monday morning highlight reels. Instead of focusing on touchdowns or turnovers, we spotlight those subtle plays that, in retrospect, were crucial to the game’s result. Today, let’s revisit a significant yet frequently forgotten moment that contributed to the Steelers’ victory over the Detroit Lions during Week 16.
Experience Counts
While some might argue that Patrick Queen’s crucial tackle on WR Isaac TeSlaa at the one-yard line deserves all the attention this week, I’ve chosen to highlight an earlier play that also saved a touchdown, but has not received as much recognition.
Picture this: it’s 3rd and goal from the 6-yard line. The Lions, having recovered from a sluggish opening drive, are determined to turn a field goal into a touchdown. Staying true to Dan Campbell's creative approach near the end zone, the Lions execute a cleverly disguised sweep with WR Amon St. Brown, initially making it appear as though they’re running a bootleg play. This maneuver involves a fair amount of misdirection reminiscent of the old Wing-T offense.
The deception works flawlessly—almost. Linebacker Payton Wilson is the first player to make contact with St. Brown, but his effort barely slows the receiver down. St. Brown seems poised to reach the end zone effortlessly, as the Steelers’ defense appears to have committed to the wrong side of the field, setting up what should have been an easy score for Detroit.
However, Cam Heyward is the exception. Displaying exceptional awareness, he sheds his block and darts to the outside, compelling St. Brown to pivot back inside. Although Heyward doesn’t take him down, he manages to delay St. Brown just enough for his teammates to converge. Instead of a touchdown, the Lions gain only three yards after what looked like a certain score.
To visualize this, imagine St. Brown sprinting around the edge, only to be redirected by Heyward’s timely intervention.
What could have been a celebratory moment for the Lions instead turns into a fourth down situation. The Steelers unite in a robust defensive stand, expertly countering the play-action attempt. With Heyward applying late pressure, quarterback Jared Goff’s pass falls incomplete, leaving the Lions empty-handed.
While the Steelers’ defense had to step up multiple times throughout the game, this particular sequence was critical. Later, Queen's tackle on TeSlaa proved essential, but every play near the goal line carries significant weight. Heyward’s intervention exemplifies his trademark intelligence on the field. He diagnosed the play brilliantly, understanding that the Lions often pull out tricky strategies in that area. Even at 36 years old, his athleticism shone through as he managed to position himself perfectly, forcing one of the league’s top receivers back toward his waiting teammates. It was a clutch performance at a pivotal moment.
Had Heyward been just a fraction of a second slower, St. Brown would likely have sprinted to the edge for a touchdown. This critical stop not only denied the Lions a score but also kept them off the scoreboard during the first three quarters, when their offense struggled to find its rhythm.
Heyward is finishing the season strong. Considering the significant role he plays, both this season and throughout his career, his performance is nothing short of remarkable. When the Steelers need a crucial play, he consistently delivers—and he once again proved that here.
