Steelers vs Lions Prediction 12/21/2025 Today’s NFL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Steelers vs Lions prediction for this NFL game on Sunday, December 21st at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week 16 matchup.

Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 8-6 this season after they defeated Miami by a score of 28-15 in their last game. Pittsburgh led 7-3 at halftime and they scored the first 21 points of the second half to put the game away for the easy win. The Steelers out gained Miami by a total of 336-285, went 4-13 on third downs, and won the turnover battle by a total of 1-0 in the game. Aaron Rodgers went 23-27 for 224 yards and two touchdowns, while Kenneth Gainwell rushed 13 times for 80 yards. DK Metcalf led the receivers with three receptions for 55 yards and one touchdown in the win. 

Prior to that game, Pittsburgh defeated the Ravens by a score of 27-22, but lost to the Bills by a score of 26-7 before that. The Steelers have split their last four games and they are currently first in the AFC North standings. Pittsburgh has scored 24.0 points per game with 195.6 passing yards and 92.5 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 23.3 points against per game this season. Aaron Rodgers has thrown for 2,594 yards, 22 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while DK Metcalf has 55 receptions for 808 yards and six scores this season. 

Detroit Lions Betting Preview

The Detroit Lions are 8-6 this year after they lost to the Rams by a score of 41-34 in their last game. Detroit led 24-14 in the second quarter and 24-17 at the half, but they were outscored 24-10 in the second half for the loss. The Lions were out gained by a total of 519-396, went 5-14 on third downs, and won the turnover battle by a total of 1-0 in the game. Jared Goff went 25-41 for 338 yards and three touchdowns, while Jahmyr Gibbs rushed 13 times for 38 yards. Amon-Ra St. Brown led the receivers with 13 catches for 164 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. 

Prior to that game, Detroit defeated the Cowboys by a score of 44-30, but lost to the Packers by a score of 31-24 before that. The Lions have alternated wins and losses over their last 10 games and they are currently third in the NFC North standings. Detroit has scored 30.6 points per game with 248.8 passing yards and 131.1 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 24.6 points against per game this season. Jared Goff has thrown for 3,672 yards, 29 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while Amon-Ra St. Brown has 94 receptions for 1,140 yards and 11 touchdowns this year. 

Why the Detroit Lions will win

• The Lions have won each of their last 12 games at Ford Field following a loss.
• The Steelers have lost each of their last five road games following a home win.
• The home team has covered the spread in each of the Steelers’ last six Week 16 games.
• The Steelers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five road games following a win.
• The Steelers have lost the first quarter in each of their last four Week 16 road games.
• The Steelers have lost the first half in six of their last seven road games following a win.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Lions’ last seven December games as home favorites have gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of the Steelers’ last five games without Cameron Heyward have gone UNDER the total points line.

Detroit Lions Player Prop Facts

• Jahmyr Gibbs has scored the last touchdown in three of the Lions’ last four games as favorites following a loss.
• Jahmyr Gibbs has scored two or more touchdowns in each of the Lions’ last six games at Ford Field with a total points line of at least 50.0.
• Jared Goff has recorded 278+ passing yards in each of the Lions’ last six December home games.
• David Montgomery has recorded 39+ rushing yards in 22 of his 24 previous December appearances.
• Jared Goff has recorded 23+ completions in each of the Lions’ last six December games.
• Jahmyr Gibbs has scored at least one touchdown in each of the Lions’ last nine games as favorites with a total points line of at least 50.0.
• David Montgomery has recorded 49+ rushing and receiving yards in 22 of his 24 previous December appearances.
• Kalif Raymond has recorded 11+ receiving yards in 13 of his last 14 December appearances.
• Heading into Week 16, Amon-Ra St. Brown has recorded the equal-most receiving touchdowns in a single game this season (3 vs Bears, Week 2).

Pittsburgh Steelers Player Prop Facts

• D.K. Metcalf has scored a touchdown in each of his last four appearances with his team as an underdog against NFC opponents.
• Jaylen Warren has recorded 46+ rushing yards in five of his last six appearances against NFC opponents.
• Calvin Austin has recorded 17+ rushing and receiving yards in 12 of his last 13 road appearances.
• Calvin Austin has recorded 14+ receiving yards in each of his last 13 road appearances.
• Heading into Week 16, Chris Boswell ranks T1st in the AFC for 50+ yard field goals made (7) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Lions – two different players have recorded 100+ rushing yards in a game this season – equal-most in the NFL, heading into Week 16.
• Heading into Week 16, the Lions rank 1st in the NFL in points per game (30.6) this season.
• Steelers – 11 different players have recorded one interception or more in a game this season – most in the NFL, heading into Week 16.
• Heading into Week 16, the Steelers rank 1st in the NFL in forced fumbles (16) this season.

Steelers vs Lions Prediction 

Detroit comes into this matchup currently on the outside of the NFC playoff picture and they can’t afford to lose anymore games. The Lions have alternated wins and losses over their last 10 games, so they are due for a win if that trend continues. Pittsburgh has won two games in a row and they are up just one game in the AFC North standings. The Steelers have scored 27+ points in four of their last five games and will face a Detroit defense that is not good. Detroit’s offense has scored at least 34 points in three of their last four games, and they are very good at home. I am definitely worried about the injuries for Detroit, but they should be able to handle this very average Pittsburgh team. Take the Lions to cover at home.

David Racey is 93-71 (57%) in the NFL this season and is one of the top NFL cappers on the NFL Leaderboard. David went 10-2 in the NFL last Sunday/Monday. Click here for his premium plays for this week!

David Racey's Pick: Lions -7