Steelers vs. Lions: Aaron Rodgers Faces a Familiar Foe in a Crucial Week 16 Clash
Aaron Rodgers is no stranger to the Detroit Lions - and come Sunday, he’ll get another shot at a team he’s tormented for nearly two decades. Only this time, he’s wearing black and gold.
The 42-year-old quarterback will lead the Pittsburgh Steelers into Ford Field in Week 16, looking to extend their win streak to three games and keep the AFC North title hopes alive. Rodgers’ history against the Lions is well-documented - 18 wins in 26 games, 54 touchdowns, and just 12 interceptions during his time with the Packers.
That’s dominance, plain and simple. But this isn’t the same old Lions team, and Rodgers isn’t in Green Bay anymore.
A Familiar Face, a New Challenge
Rodgers may be facing a team he knows well, but this version of Detroit has a different edge. The Lions are in the thick of the NFC playoff hunt, and after a tough loss to the Rams last week, they’re in no position to take another hit. Expect urgency from Dan Campbell’s squad - they know what’s at stake.
For Pittsburgh, the stakes are just as high. Sitting at 8-6 and leading the AFC North, the Steelers have found a late-season rhythm.
Rodgers has brought veteran poise and leadership to a team that needed exactly that. And with a win Sunday, they’d not only keep the division lead but also send a message that they’re peaking at the right time.
Broadcast Details
Fans in Pittsburgh can catch the game on KDKA-TV (CBS Pittsburgh), with kickoff set for 4:25 p.m. ET.
Jim Nantz and Tony Romo will be on the call, with Tracy Wolfson reporting from the sidelines. For those streaming, Paramount+ and NFL+ will carry the game live.
And if you're tuning in on the radio, 102.5 WDVE will have the local broadcast.
The Road Ahead
This matchup is more than just a cross-conference battle - it’s a measuring stick for both teams as the playoff picture comes into focus. Here’s what the remaining regular season schedule looks like for each team:
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6)
- Week 16: at Lions - 4:25 p.m.
ET
- Week 17: at Browns - 1:00 p.m.
ET
- Week 18: vs.
Ravens - Time TBD
Detroit Lions (Record TBD)
- Week 16: vs.
Steelers - 4:25 p.m. ET
- Week 17: at Vikings - 4:30 p.m. ET
- Week 18: at Bears - Time TBD
AFC North Standings (Through Week 15)
| Team | Record | Division | Conference |
|---|
| Steelers | 8-6 | 3-1 | 7-3 | | Ravens | 7-7 | 3-2 | 5-5 |
| Bengals | 4-10 | 3-2 | 4-6 | | Browns | 3-11 | 0-4 | 2-7 |
The Steelers are in control - for now. But with road games against the Lions and Browns before hosting the Ravens in Week 18, the margin for error is razor-thin.
Rodgers has been here before. He knows how to win in December.
And if he can do it again this weekend, Pittsburgh might just be on the verge of something special.
Sunday’s game won’t just be about Rodgers revisiting an old rivalry. It’s about playoff positioning, momentum, and proving that this Steelers team - led by a future Hall of Famer - can make real noise in January.