Game story
In Week 8 of the 2017 NFL season on 2017-10-29, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 20–15 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 16 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
M. Stafford (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with +3.78 total EPA, and -2.5% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.90 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+30.6% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (3:15) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 3 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Detroit Lions | 3 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 15 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +12.90 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
- 2 J. Smith-Schuster · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +11.27 total EPA · 10 snaps · +1.13 EPA/play
- 3 M. Jones · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +7.07 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.64 EPA/play
- 4 M. Stafford · Detroit Lions · Passing · +3.78 total EPA · 49 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
- 5 T. Jones · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.80 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
- 6 J. James · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.44 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
- 7 T. Riddick · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +1.02 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.51 EPA/play
- 8 J. Agnew · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +0.81 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.81 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
B. Roethlisberger — PIT · Passing
B. Roethlisberger posted the highest total EPA (+12.90) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Pittsburgh Steelers's efficiency. Across 34 counted snaps, they averaged +0.38 EPA per play.
The signature play (+8.79 EPA) came from Pittsburgh Steelers: (3:15) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Pittsburgh Steelers — L. Bell
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Smith-Schuster (B. Roethlisberger pass)
Field goals
- Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Boswell
- Detroit Lions — M. Prater
- Detroit Lions — M. Prater
- Detroit Lions — M. Prater
- Detroit Lions — M. Prater
- Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Boswell
- Detroit Lions — M. Prater
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the DET 16 (Q1 57:17) — (12:17) 9-C.Boswell 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the PIT 30 (Q1 52:55) — (7:55) 5-M.Prater 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..
The second quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 9–7. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the PIT 19 (Q2 39:15) — (9:15) 5-M.Prater 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DET 5 (Q2 34:14) — (4:14) (Shotgun) 26-L.Bell up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 34:10) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the PIT 33 (Q2 32:19) — (2:19) 5-M.Prater 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the PIT 16 (Q2 30:17) — (:17) 5-M.Prater 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..
The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the DET 20 (Q3 24:25) — (9:25) 9-C.Boswell 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DET 97 (Q3 18:15) — (3:15) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q3 18:01) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry..
The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 3–0. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the PIT 1 (Q4 12:59) — (12:59) 5-M.Prater 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 18:15) — (3:15) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Detroit Lions (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass incomplete short middle to 85-E.Ebron (50-R.Shazier) [79-J.Hargrave].
- Detroit Lions (Q4 3:06) — (3:06) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short left to 85-E.Ebron ran ob at PIT 11 for 44 yards (25-A.Burns). PIT-28-S.Davis was injured during the play.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 31:03) — (1:03) 26-L.Bell up the middle to DET 22 for 1 yard (69-A.Zettel). FUMBLES (69-A.Zettel), RECOVERED by DET-27-G.Quin at DET 21. 27-G.Quin to DET 21 for no gain (66-D.DeCastro).
- Detroit Lions (Q3 19:31) — (4:31) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford sacked at PIT 2 for -1 yards (94-T.Alualu).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q3 18:15) — (3:15) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 31:03) — (1:03) 26-L.Bell up the middle to DET 22 for 1 yard (69-A.Zettel). FUMBLES (69-A.Zettel), RECOVERED by DET-27-G.Quin at DET 21. 27-G.Quin to DET 21 for no gain (66-D.DeCastro).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 50:50) — (5:50) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left intended for 84-A.Brown INTERCEPTED by 27-G.Quin at DET 17. 27-G.Quin to DET 17 for no gain (45-R.Nix).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 35:02) — (5:02) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 84-A.Brown to DET 5 for 40 yards (35-M.Killebrew).
Quarterback report card
M.Stafford led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- M.Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 49 dropbacks · 55.1% completion · -2.5% CPOE · +0.08 EPA/play · +3.78 total EPA
- B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 34 dropbacks · 50.0% completion · -1.3% CPOE · +0.38 EPA/play · +12.90 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Pittsburgh Steelers | Detroit Lions |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.028 | -0.067 |
| Offensive success rate | 32.5% | 43.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.379 | +0.077 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.364 | -0.454 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.067 | -0.028 |
| Defensive success rate | 56.3% | 67.5% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Pittsburgh Steelers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.03 vs -0.07), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Detroit Lions: 11 drives, -5.79 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 12 drives, +2.23 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Pittsburgh Steelers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q1 57:17 · DET 16 · Score 3-0
(12:17) 9-C.Boswell 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q1 52:55 · PIT 30 · Score 3-3
(7:55) 5-M.Prater 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 39:15 · PIT 19 · Score 3-6
(9:15) 5-M.Prater 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 34:14 · DET 5 · Score 9-6
(4:14) (Shotgun) 26-L.Bell up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 34:10 · DET 15 · Score 10-6
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 32:19 · PIT 33 · Score 10-9
(2:19) 5-M.Prater 51 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 30:17 · PIT 16 · Score 10-12
(:17) 5-M.Prater 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 24:25 · DET 20 · Score 13-12
(9:25) 9-C.Boswell 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 18:15 · DET 97 · Score 19-12
(3:15) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 18:01 · DET 15 · Score 20-12
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 12:59 · PIT 1 · Score 20-15
(12:59) 5-M.Prater 19 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Pittsburgh Steelers vs Detroit Lions?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Detroit Lions 20-15 in Week 8, 2017 on 2017-10-29.
What was the final score of Pittsburgh Steelers vs Detroit Lions?
The final score was Pittsburgh Steelers 20, Detroit Lions 15 (PIT 20-15 DET) in Week 8, 2017 on 2017-10-29.
What was the score by quarter in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Detroit Lions?
Q1: Pittsburgh Steelers 3, Detroit Lions 3; Q2: Pittsburgh Steelers 7, Detroit Lions 9; Q3: Pittsburgh Steelers 10, Detroit Lions 0; Q4: Pittsburgh Steelers 0, Detroit Lions 3; Final: Pittsburgh Steelers 20, Detroit Lions 15.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Detroit Lions?
Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — L. Bell (Q2 34:14) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. Smith-Schuster (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q3 18:15) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q1 57:17, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Prater (Q1 52:55, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Prater (Q2 39:15, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Prater (Q2 32:19, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Prater (Q2 30:17, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q3 24:25, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Prater (Q4 12:59, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Detroit Lions?
M. Stafford (Detroit Lions), 55.1% completion, -2.5% CPOE, +0.08 EPA per dropback, +3.78 total passing EPA. B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 50.0% completion, -1.3% CPOE, +0.38 EPA per dropback, +12.90 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Detroit Lions?
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) led the game in total EPA with +12.90 on passing plays. across 34 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+8.79 EPA): (3:15) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep middle to 19-J.Smith-Schuster for 97 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +30.6%.
Was Pittsburgh Steelers vs Detroit Lions a close game?
Yes — the margin was 5 points. Pittsburgh Steelers won 20-15 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 5-2 Now 6-2 W
Detroit Lions
Entered 3-3 Now 3-4 L
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