Pittsburgh Steelers run past Detroit Lions to continue late-season trend — and win streak

• A dangerous two-headed attack:Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren have not only capitalized on rushing lanes, but also created yards after contact.

• Get PFF+ for 30% off: Use promo code HOLIDAY30 to unlock the PFF Player Prop Tool, Premium Stats, fantasy dashboards, the PFF Mock Draft Simulator, industry-leading fantasy rankings and much more — everything you need to win your season.

Estimated Reading Time:5 minutes

Three weeks ago, the Steelers fell to 6-6 after a crushing defeat to the Buffalo Bills. Chants to fire head coach Mike Tomlin permeated the Acrisure Stadium crowd, and the team’s playoff aspirations had seemingly faceplanted — sitting at only 33%.

Instead of wilting as the team has done in previous years, though, the Steelers have risen to the occasion. Pittsburgh has won its last three contests over the Ravens, Dolphins and Lions, and now has a 94% shot to reach the postseason. While a slew of factors have been at play, chief among them might be the team’s running.

That tenet of a tremendous ground game was on full display during Pittsburgh’s nail-biting 29-24 victory over the Lions in Detroit in Week 16. The Steelers posted 0.455 EPA per rush — a 100th-percentile figure in 2025 — along with 8.5 net yards per rush and seven explosive carries.

Those numbers are impressive standing alone, but even more so considering how futile Pittsburgh’s rushing efficiency has been in recent memory.

Maybe most impressive is that the Steelers still found paydirt through the run, even when the Lions were expecting it. Jaylen Warren ripped off two 45-yard touchdowns in the fourth quarter to help extend Pittsburgh’s lead, hitting home runs when defenses typically home in on loading the box to fit the run.

The Steelers’ Week 16 rushing effort is individually resounding, but it also proliferates a budding trend. Indeed, over the last three weeks, Pittsburgh ranks second in rushing EPA per play, 11th in explosive run rate, fourth in average yards per carry and 13th in PFF rushing grade.

Remarkably, running backs Warren and Kenneth Gainwell are thriving both in and out of structure. Since Week 14, the Steelers are fourth in yards before contact per attempt (2.1) and ninth in yards after contact per attempt (3.3). In other words, Pittsburgh’s offensive line is clearing solid lanes, while the two rushers are also exploiting defenses by gaining extra yards and forcing missed tackles.

Team Rushing Yards Before/After Contact, Weeks 14-16

Although the Steelers’ run game has elevated, its offensive line isn’t necessarily blocking significantly better. Pittsburgh’s 55.1 PFF run-blocking mark over the last three games ranks 28th, and only two Steelers to play 10 or more run-blocking snaps — Troy Fautanu and Darnell Washington — have secured 70.0-plus PFF run-blocking marks. However, it’s worth noting that the Steelers’ offensive line has reduced its Defeated Block Rate from 54.9% to 46.6%, with the unit seemingly making fewer mistakes.

On the player level, Gainwell has become a revelation to bolster Pittsburgh’s ineffective receiving corps, but he’s also contributed heavily as a rusher. Since Week 14, his 4.1 yards after contact per carry tie for third among qualified backs, and his 11 missed tackles forced are tied for seventh.

Collectively, Warren and Gainwell have each compiled at least a 74.8 PFF rushing grade in 2025. The pair is one of five tandems at the position to accomplish that feat this season among those with at least 100 attempts — joining the Rams, Seahawks, Bears and Chargers.

Intriguingly enough, it’s not as though Smith has significantly adjusted the team’s rushing style during this revelatory stretch. In both Weeks 1-13 and 14-16, Pittsburgh has deployed inside or outside zone on at least 59% of its rushes, hardly tinkering with its approach. Instead, the team is simply executing at a higher level.

Perhaps it’s not a coincidence that just Pittsburgh’s rushing attack has served as an anchor for the team’s offensive operation, quarterback Aaron Rodgers has played arguably his best football in multiple years. Put in conjunction, it gives Smith options to remain in control of the ball and both unpredictable as well as aggressive knowing that the ground can be a crutch.

Granted, the Steelers still have flashed their mortality during this undefeated stretch. The team’s coverage unit has faltered, particularly late in games, and the Pittsburgh offense hasn’t stayed on schedule — sitting 25th in success rate. Converting red-zone trips into touchdowns instead of field goals has also been an Achilles’ heel.

At the same time, Pittsburgh’s rushing success has given it some form of a much-needed offensive identity. With the AFC North title all but in hand, the Steelers become that much more dangerous in January if they can continue to ride Warren’s and Gainwell’s coat tails with the same level of efficacy.

Add in a surging run defense and passing attack, and perhaps Tomlin’s winless playoff streak may finally end.