The Pittsburgh Steelers' next two games will determine whether or not the franchise has a legitimate chance of making the playoffs or not. The Baltimore Ravens will be the first, and more challenging task, while the Miami Dolphins also could provide some issues in a Week 15 Monday Night Football game. The team is not currently looking past its division rival, but it's hard not to recognize the difficult matchups remaining on the schedule. In Week 16, Head Coach Mike Tomlin and his squad will also have to travel to play the Detroit Lions, and both organizations could be fighting for their postseason lives.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) greets Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell near midfield at Ford Field after their two teams participated in a professional preseason game in Detroit, MI.
Detroit got a massive victory on Thursday evening, taking down the Dallas Cowboys by a score of 44-30. Sitting at 8-5, the collective is still on the outside-looking-in when it comes to the NFC playoff picture. For Pittsburgh, the only logical way to slip into the tournament is by winning the AFC North. A record of 9-8 may be just enough to get that done, making winning three of the final fives matchups imperative.
Despite defeating Dallas on Thursday Night Football, the Lions received horrible news on Friday morning. One of their most important playmakers on the defensive side of the ball may not just be out for the season, but for an extended period of time. Safety Brian Branch ended up exiting the contest and it appears as if his ailment may be significant.
Lions standout DB Brian Branch is feared to have suffered an Achilles injury on Thursday night, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 5, 2025
Branch will have further tests this morning. But another potential blow to a Deteoit team coming off a huge win. pic.twitter.com/uJoxsMqq6O
Branch is in his third professional season and already has a Pro Bowl election. He has been a consistent force for Detroit, and if he did indeed tear his Achilles, it is a huge blow to an incredibly-injured Lions team. No one ever wants to see players of his caliber dealing with serious, potentially career-altering situations, but the Steelers and Aaron Rodgers will now likely have an advantage in Week 16 with the standout defender expected to be on the sideline.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks down at his play sheet while he watches practice in street clothes as the team works out during 2025 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Branch already has 75 tackles in 2025, to go along with nine passes defended, two and a half sacks, and a forced fumble. Pittsburgh knows what it is like to have injuries in the secondary, particularly at safety, and the fact that Branch could be sidelined makes things even more intriguing for what projects to be a very big non-conference matchup for both teams.
Rodgers has been criticized for not throwing the ball deep down the field, and Branch's presence could have hampered any plan to do so in a few weeks. Now, while the Steelers fight to get through the next two games, preparation for Detroit may be a little bit easier if the safety did suffer a season-ending Achilles rupture.
Brian Branch R ankle sprain video
— Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 5, 2025
-Concern for high ankle sprain. Ext rotation and foot gets slightly trapped.
-Carted off
-Hope XR negative pic.twitter.com/8OCKkuUU4P
While this doesn't automatically make the Steelers the favorite on the road, it certainly adds a new element to the upcoming contest that could truly affect the outcome of the game, and Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell certainly has decisions to make moving forward.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin roams the practice field as his team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers Have To Make Sure Week 16 Game Against Lions Means Something
Pittsburgh is 6-6 and it has seemed as if the sky in falling in the Steel City. With that said, going 1-1 in the next two games doesn't immediately remove the organization from the playoff conversation. The main goal needs to be splitting with Baltimore, and then finding a way to win two other matchups. The Lions game could be do or die for Tomlin and co., which is why Branch's injury is such a significant development even with the contest a few weeks away.
Do you think that the Steelers can beat the Lions in Detroit? Let us know in the comments below!
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