It has been a disappointing year so far for the Detroit Lions. After back-to-back seasons where they appeared to be one of the best teams in the NFC, if not the entire league, they’ve experienced a severe regression this year. At 8-6, they are currently out of the playoff picture and are in third place in their division.
However, facing another 8-6 team in the Pittsburgh Steelers offered them a chance to keep their postseason hopes alive. Unfortunately, the first half did not go according to plan for them, with the offense sputtering. In particular, it was a rough night for Jameson Williams, after he was on pace for his best season to date.
What Happened to Jameson Williams?
Managing just three points in the first half, at the time of writing, it was a real issue for the Lions to get into the end zone. While the passing game was humming like its typical self, the running attack was virtually nonexistent.
However, despite Jared Goff throwing for over 100 receiving yards, Williams had been relatively quiet on the evening, with just two receptions and 27 receiving yards to his credit.
A first-round pick in 2022 for the Lions, it took a while for Williams to get going in the NFL. It was in 2024, as the team went 15-2, that he truly found his footing, exploding for a 1,001-yard season while suiting up in just 15 games.
This year, he’s carried on at the same level, with 936 yards and seven touchdowns through 13 games. With three games, including the one against the Steelers, remaining on the schedule, he has a chance to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark once again.
Ranking at number eight on PFSN’s WR Impact, he has been even better than his breakout campaign last year, when he finished 10th. His value on the team became clearer as the night wore on.
While Detroit was able to add a touchdown on the board, Williams also increased his output to three catches, adding 33 receiving yards to the tally. Ultimately, though, it was Isaac Tesla who hauled in a 20-yard bomb to register the lone touchdown of the night so far.
It gave the Lions a lead going into halftime, as they look to capitalize on an underwhelming Pittsburgh defense to remain in the hunt for a playoff spot in a jam-packed NFC.
Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.