Lions 21–35 Steelers: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 17, 2005

Q: How did the quarterbacks play in Detroit Lions vs Pittsburgh Steelers?

J. Harrington (Detroit Lions), 45.9% completion, +0.27 EPA per dropback, +9.92 total passing EPA. B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 35.0% completion, +0.14 EPA per dropback, +2.78 total passing EPA.

Q: Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Detroit Lions vs Pittsburgh Steelers?

J. Harrington (Detroit Lions) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +9.92 total EPA on Passing plays. across 37 snaps. Their top snap (+6.60 EPA): (4:46) 3-J.Harrington pass to 24-S.Bryson to PIT 10 for 63 yards (26-D.Townsend). PENALTY on PIT-26-D.Townsend, Face Mask (15 Yards), 5 yards, enforced at PIT 10..

Quick answer

Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers
Final score: Pittsburgh Steelers 35–21 Detroit Lions
Halftime: Detroit Lions 14–21 Pittsburgh Steelers at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Jax Harrington
Top passer: Jax Harrington
Biggest EPA play: (4:46) 3-J.Harrington pass to 24-S.Bryson to PIT 10 for 63 yards (26-D.Townsend). PENALTY …
Game date: 2006-01-01

Game summary

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Detroit Lions 35–21 on 2006-01-01. Jax Harrington posted a game-high +9.92 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 28 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	—	—	T
Detroit Lions	14	0	7	0	0	21
Pittsburgh Steelers	14	7	14	0	0	35

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

DETDetroit Lions

PIT 66

PIT 11

PIT 15

PITPittsburgh Steelers

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

16 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q1 14:01TD
Nick Harris
Points+6
Yard line
PIT 66
Score
0-6
(14:01) 2-N.Harris punts 47 yards to PIT 19, Center-67-D.Muhlbach. 82-A.Randle El for 81 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q1 13:43XP
Joe Reed
Points+1
Yard line
DET 2
Score
0-7
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
DETDetroit Lions
Q1 9:49TD
MPM. Pollard
Points+6
Yard line
PIT 11
Score
6-7
(9:49) 3-J.Harrington pass to 81-M.Pollard for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DETDetroit Lions
Q1 9:43XP
Jake Hanson
Points+1
Yard line
PIT 2
Score
7-7
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
DETDetroit Lions
Q1 3:37TD
CSC. Schlesinger
Points+6
Yard line
PIT 1
Score
13-7
(3:37) 3-J.Harrington pass to 30-C.Schlesinger for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
DETDetroit Lions
Q1 3:33XP
Jake Hanson
Points+1
Yard line
PIT 2
Score
14-7
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q1 0:25TD
JBJ. Bettis
Points+6
Yard line
DET 1
Score
14-13
(:25) #72 is an eligible receiver 36-J.Bettis up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q1 0:21XP
Joe Reed
Points+1
Yard line
DET 2
Score
14-14
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q2 1:16TD
JBJ. Bettis
Points+6
Yard line
DET 5
Score
14-20
(1:16) 36-J.Bettis up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q2 1:11XP
Joe Reed
Points+1
Yard line
DET 2
Score
14-21
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q3 11:05TD
JBJ. Bettis
Points+6
Yard line
DET 4
Score
14-27
(11:05) 36-J.Bettis up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q3 11:00XP
Joe Reed
Points+1
Yard line
DET 2
Score
14-28
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
DETDetroit Lions
Q3 5:38TD
Ryan Williams
Points+6
Yard line
PIT 15
Score
20-28
(5:38) (Shotgun) 3-J.Harrington pass to 11-R.Williams for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DETDetroit Lions
Q3 5:32XP
Jake Hanson
Points+1
Yard line
PIT 2
Score
21-28
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q3 0:49TD
BRB. Roethlisberger
Points+6
Yard line
DET 7
Score
21-34
(:49) 7-B.Roethlisberger left end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
PITPittsburgh Steelers
Q3 0:42XP
Joe Reed
Points+1
Yard line
DET 2
Score
21-35
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Jax Harrington · Detroit Lions · Passing · +9.92 total EPA · 37 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
2M. Pollard · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +8.47 total EPA · 4 snaps · +2.12 EPA/play
3S. Bryson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +6.60 total EPA · 1 snaps · +6.60 EPA/play
4J. Bettis · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +6.60 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.66 EPA/play
5Ryan Williams · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +5.65 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.88 EPA/play
6S. Vines · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.93 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
7Herb Miller · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.78 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.26 EPA/play
8H. Ward · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.01 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.01 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Jax Harrington — DET · Passing

Jax Harrington posted the highest total EPA (+9.92) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Detroit Lions. Across 37 counted snaps, they averaged +0.27 EPA per play.

Jax Harrington's top snap (+6.60 EPA): (4:46) 3-J.Harrington pass to 24-S.Bryson to PIT 10 for 63 yards (26-D.Townsend). PENALTY on PIT-26-D.Townsend, Face Mask (15 Yards), 5 yards, enforced at PIT 10.

Quarterback report card

Jax Harrington led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

Jax Harrington (Detroit Lions) · 37 dropbacks · 45.9% completion · +0.27 EPA/play · +9.92 total EPA
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 20 dropbacks · 35.0% completion · +0.14 EPA/play · +2.78 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Detroit Lions	Pittsburgh Steelers
Offensive EPA/play	+0.096	+0.243
Offensive success rate	47.4%	53.9%
Pass EPA/play	+0.268	+0.139
Rush EPA/play	-0.044	+0.219
Defensive EPA/play	-0.243	-0.096
Defensive success rate	46.1%	52.6%

Drive & efficiency notes

Pittsburgh Steelers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.24 vs +0.10), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Detroit Lions: +0.10 EPA/play (75th percentile vs. 2005 team-game averages)
Pittsburgh Steelers: +0.24 EPA/play (95th percentile vs. 2005 team-game averages)

Detroit Lions: 10 drives, +7.50 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Pittsburgh Steelers: 12 drives, +18.50 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

Pittsburgh Steelers — Nick Harris (Q1 14:01)
Detroit Lions — M. Pollard (Jax Harrington pass) (Q1 9:49)
Detroit Lions — C. Schlesinger (Jax Harrington pass) (Q1 3:37)
Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Bettis (Q1 0:25)
Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Bettis (Q2 1:16)
Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Bettis (Q3 11:05)
Detroit Lions — Ryan Williams (Jax Harrington pass) (Q3 5:38)
Pittsburgh Steelers — B. Roethlisberger (Q3 0:49)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 14–14. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the PIT 66 (Q1 14:01) — (14:01) 2-N.Harris punts 47 yards to PIT 19, Center-67-D.Muhlbach. 82-A.Randle El for 81 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 13:43) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the PIT 11 (Q1 9:49) — (9:49) 3-J.Harrington pass to 81-M.Pollard for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q1 9:43) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the PIT 1 (Q1 3:37) — (3:37) 3-J.Harrington pass to 30-C.Schlesinger for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q1 3:33) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q1 0:25) — (:25) #72 is an eligible receiver 36-J.Bettis up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 0:21) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DET 5 (Q2 1:16) — (1:16) 36-J.Bettis up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 1:11) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 14–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DET 4 (Q3 11:05) — (11:05) 36-J.Bettis up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 11:00) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the PIT 15 (Q3 5:38) — (5:38) (Shotgun) 3-J.Harrington pass to 11-R.Williams for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the PIT 2 (Q3 5:32) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the DET 7 (Q3 0:49) — (:49) 7-B.Roethlisberger left end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 0:42) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Detroit Lions (Q1 4:46) — (4:46) 3-J.Harrington pass to 24-S.Bryson to PIT 10 for 63 yards (26-D.Townsend). PENALTY on PIT-26-D.Townsend, Face Mask (15 Yards), 5 yards, enforced at PIT 10. [WPA +21.6% · EPA +6.60]
Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 2:50) — (2:50) 17-C.Gardocki punts 48 yards to DET 31, Center-60-G.Warren. 18-E.Drummond to DET 38 for 7 yards (29-C.Iwuoma). FUMBLES (29-C.Iwuoma), RECOVERED by PIT-99-B.Keisel at DET 37. 99-B.Keisel to DET [WPA +15.9% · EPA +3.83]
Detroit Lions (Q1 14:01) — (14:01) 2-N.Harris punts 47 yards to PIT 19, Center-67-D.Muhlbach. 82-A.Randle El for 81 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -14.2% · EPA -5.56]
Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 0:25) — (:25) #72 is an eligible receiver 36-J.Bettis up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.2% · EPA +2.57]
Detroit Lions (Q1 11:03) — (11:03) (Shotgun) 3-J.Harrington pass to 81-M.Pollard to PIT 23 for 27 yards (55-J.Porter). [WPA +9.2% · EPA +3.91]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Detroit Lions (Q1 4:46) — (4:46) 3-J.Harrington pass to 24-S.Bryson to PIT 10 for 63 yards (26-D.Townsend). PENALTY on PIT-26-D.Townsend, Face Mask (15 Yards), 5 yards, enforced at PIT 10. [WPA +21.6% · EPA +6.60]
Detroit Lions (Q1 14:01) — (14:01) 2-N.Harris punts 47 yards to PIT 19, Center-67-D.Muhlbach. 82-A.Randle El for 81 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -14.2% · EPA -5.56]
Detroit Lions (Q1 11:03) — (11:03) (Shotgun) 3-J.Harrington pass to 81-M.Pollard to PIT 23 for 27 yards (55-J.Porter). [WPA +9.2% · EPA +3.91]
Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 2:50) — (2:50) 17-C.Gardocki punts 48 yards to DET 31, Center-60-G.Warren. 18-E.Drummond to DET 38 for 7 yards (29-C.Iwuoma). FUMBLES (29-C.Iwuoma), RECOVERED by PIT-99-B.Keisel at DET 37. 99-B.Keisel to DET [WPA +15.9% · EPA +3.83]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 14:01 · PIT 66 · Score 0-6
(14:01) 2-N.Harris punts 47 yards to PIT 19, Center-67-D.Muhlbach. 82-A.Randle El for 81 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 13:43 · DET 2 · Score 0-7
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 9:49 · PIT 11 · Score 6-7
(9:49) 3-J.Harrington pass to 81-M.Pollard for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 9:43 · PIT 2 · Score 7-7
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q1 3:37 · PIT 1 · Score 13-7
(3:37) 3-J.Harrington pass to 30-C.Schlesinger for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q1 3:33 · PIT 2 · Score 14-7
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 0:25 · DET 1 · Score 14-13
(:25) #72 is an eligible receiver 36-J.Bettis up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 0:21 · DET 2 · Score 14-14
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 1:16 · DET 5 · Score 14-20
(1:16) 36-J.Bettis up the middle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 1:11 · DET 2 · Score 14-21
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 11:05 · DET 4 · Score 14-27
(11:05) 36-J.Bettis up the middle for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 11:00 · DET 2 · Score 14-28
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.
Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 5:38 · PIT 15 · Score 20-28
(5:38) (Shotgun) 3-J.Harrington pass to 11-R.Williams for 15 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 5:32 · PIT 2 · Score 21-28
4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-67-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 0:49 · DET 7 · Score 21-34
(:49) 7-B.Roethlisberger left end for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 0:42 · DET 2 · Score 21-35
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

Pittsburgh Steelers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
Jax Harrington (Detroit Lions) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Detroit Lions vs Pittsburgh Steelers on 2006-01-01?

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Detroit Lions 35-21 in Week 17, 2005.

What was the score by quarter in Detroit Lions vs Pittsburgh Steelers?

Q1: Detroit Lions 14, Pittsburgh Steelers 14; Q2: Detroit Lions 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q3: Detroit Lions 7, Pittsburgh Steelers 14; Final: Detroit Lions 21, Pittsburgh Steelers 35.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Detroit Lions vs Pittsburgh Steelers?

Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — N. Harris (Q1 14:01) Detroit Lions touchdown — M. Pollard (J. Harrington pass) (Q1 9:49) Detroit Lions touchdown — C. Schlesinger (J. Harrington pass) (Q1 3:37) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. Bettis (Q1 0:25) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. Bettis (Q2 1:16) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. Bettis (Q3 11:05) Detroit Lions touchdown — R. Williams (J. Harrington pass) (Q3 5:38) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — B. Roethlisberger (Q3 0:49) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Detroit Lions vs Pittsburgh Steelers?

Jax Harrington (Detroit Lions), 45.9% completion, +0.27 EPA per dropback, +9.92 total passing EPA. B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 35.0% completion, +0.14 EPA per dropback, +2.78 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Detroit Lions vs Pittsburgh Steelers?

Jax Harrington (Detroit Lions) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +9.92 total EPA on Passing plays. across 37 snaps. Their top snap (+6.60 EPA): (4:46) 3-J.Harrington pass to 24-S.Bryson to PIT 10 for 63 yards (26-D.Townsend). PENALTY on PIT-26-D.Townsend, Face Mask (15 Yards), 5 yards, enforced at PIT 10..

Season records after this game

Detroit Lions

Entered 5-10 Now 5-11 L

Pittsburgh Steelers

Entered 10-5 Now 11-5 W

Detroit Lions vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2005 Week 17 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Lions

Top fantasy performers · Steelers

Quick answer

Game summary