A weekly series that captures the forgotten and hidden plays that led to the Pittsburgh Steelers winning or losing. Not the touchdowns, turnovers, or plays that will make the Monday morning highlights – the little ones that, looking back, played a key role in the outcome. I’ll start with a hidden moment that helped the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Detroit Lions in Week 16.
You Can’t Fool The Old Head
Dave Bryan made the salient point to vouch for Patrick Queen’s stop on WR Isaac TeSlaa at the 1-yard line as this week’s choice. It certainly could be. But I’ll pick another touchdown-saving play from earlier in the game that might be even more forgotten.
It’s 3rd and goal from the 6-yard line. Detroit is in a groove after a bad first possession and looking to answer Pittsburgh’s field goal with a touchdown. In Dan Campbell’s typical bag of tricks near the goal line, the Lions run a funky sweep to WR Amon St. Brown after acting like the play is booting away. Some real Wing-T type misdirection.
It fools everyone. Almost everyone. While LB Payton Wilson was the first to get a hand on St. Brown, he does little to slow him down. St. Brown still has a path to the end zone. The Steelers’ defense has crashed the wrong way and it should be a score for Detroit.
Only Cam Heyward sees what’s going on. He defeats his block and gets to the outside, forcing St. Brown to spin back inside. Heyward doesn’t make the tackle but slows St. Brown down enough for help to arrive. A gain of only 3 after what should’ve been a walk-in score.
To clip it, here’s what it looked like as St. Brown came around the edge.
Instead of celebrating a score, it’s fourth and goal. Pittsburgh plays strong collective defense to defend play-action and with Heyward generating late pressure to force the pass, QB Jared Goff’s throw is incomplete. The Lions walk away with nothing.
Pittsburgh’s defense required more plays than just this drive. They came late and Queen’s stop on TeSlaa was vital. But all plays near the goal line are weighty. And Heyward making the play is vintage him. The IQ to diagnose the play, knowing this is the part of the field where the Lions get tricky. The athleticism, even at 36, to get to his landmark and force one of the league’s best receivers back inside to where Heyward has his help. The clutch play in a big-time moment.
Even if Heyward is a tick late picking it up, it’s a touchdown. St. Brown will simply run and beat him to the edge. This stop not only prevented a touchdown but kept Detroit off the scoreboard as the Lions’ offense scuffled for the first three quarters.
Heyward is playing his best ball in the home stretch. For a player with the weight of his snaps, this season and for his career, it is nothing short of incredible. When Pittsburgh needs a play, he makes one. He did it again here.