After a dramatic final few seconds and two disallowed touchdowns, Amon-Ra St. Brown and the Detroit Lions now have only a slim chance of making the National Football League (NFL) playoffs. After a 24-29 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Lions (8 wins/7 losses) must win their two remaining games and hope for two losses by the Green Bay Packers (9/5/1 tie) to secure the last wild card spot in the National Football Conference (NFC).

St. Brown was involved in both key scenes in the final 22 seconds of the game against the Steelers. In the final second, he caught a pass from quarterback Jared Goff, who carried the “back pass” from his wedged wide receiver into the end zone. After minutes of deliberation, however, the referees ruled that St. Brown had committed an offensive foul. Seconds earlier, the German-American had caught a pass from Goff in the end zone, but on that play, the referees ruled a foul by St. Brown’s teammate Isaac TeSlaa. The Lions, on the other hand, have only a slim chance of making the playoffs. “We know the percentages,” said Goff, who threw two of his three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. “We know we’re not out of it. We know that a few things have to go our way.”

The Steelers (9-6), led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, are on the verge of winning the AFC North with their third straight victory, but they face the possibility of DK Metcalf being suspended. The wide receiver pulled on a fan’s clothing after an initial verbal altercation, then pushed him. The Steelers can only be caught by the Baltimore Ravens (7-8). The two teams will face each other on the final day of the season.

The Ravens’ chances of making the playoffs took a hit with a 24-28 loss to the New England Patriots (12/3), who have now qualified for the first time since 2021. Not only did they squander an 11-point lead, they also lost quarterback Lamar Jackson, who had to leave the field in the second quarter with a back injury.