Steelers running backs Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell combined for 278 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns in Sunday’s 29-24 win at Detroit. The Steelers outscored the Lions 230-15 on the ground.
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We knew we had to stay in front of those guys,” Gainwell told reporters. “We know how explosive their offense is.
“We did our thing for a minute, but they kept fighting and we kept fighting.”
Chris Boswell kicked a 59-yard field goal for a 3-0 Steelers lead at approximately 5:39 of the game. Lions kicker Jake Bates tied the score with a 36-yard attempt five minutes into the second quarter.
Jared Goff threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Isaac TeSlaa for the Lions’ first lead about two minutes before halftime. Aaron Rodgers responded with a 45-yard touchdown pass to Gainwell in the final seconds of the half to tie the score at 10-10 at halftime.
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Lions safety Thomas Harper forced a Darnell Washington fumble on the first drive of the second half.
But instead of allowing the Lions to turn the turnover into points, safety Kyle Dugger sacked Goff in the end zone to give the Steelers a 12-10 lead.
Boswell made a 23-yard kick on the next drive. The Steelers increased their lead with two 45-yard Warren touchdown runs on their next two drives.
The Lions settled the score late, with Goff throwing fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Khalif Raymond and Jahmyr Gibbs.
Boswell hit the right post on a 37-yard attempt to keep the door open for the Lions, who trailed by five points with two minutes left.
The Lions proceeded to find the end zone twice on the final drive of the night, but both scores were overturned due to penalties, including on the final play of the game.
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Goff connected with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown on a 1-yard throw to start that sequence. St. Brown then went back to Goff, who ran for an 8-yard touchdown.
But officials ruled that St. Brown committed offensive pass interference, nullifying the potential game-winning score.
Warren totaled 151 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 16 touches. Gainwell accounted for 128 yards and scored on 14 touches.
Rodgers completed 27 of 41 passes for 266 yards and a touchdown. Goff threw for 364 yards and three touchdowns in the loss. Gibbs recorded 10 receptions for 66 yards, but was held to just 2 yards on seven carries.
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Dugger, Cameron Hayward and Keeanu Benton all recorded sacks for the Steelers, who improved to 9-6.
They will try to win a fourth straight game during an AFC North showdown against the Cleveland Browns (3-12) at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday in Cleveland.
The Lions (8-7) will try to avoid a three-game losing streak when they face the Minnesota Vikings (7-8) in an NFC North matchup at 4:30 p.m. Thursday in Minneapolis.