We are one step closer to the beginning of the 2022 NFL season. The third and final preseason game is here as the Detroit Lions come to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers.
What: Detroit Lions 1-1 at Pittsburgh Steelers 2-0
Where: Acrisure Stadium Pittsburgh, PA
When: 4:30pm Sunday August 28th, 2022
Weather: Partly Cloudy and 88 degrees
Wagering Information: Steelers -5.5
Last Week: The Lions won 27-26 in Indianapolis while the Steelers also won by a single point, 16-15 in Jacksonville.
TV: KDKA Bob Pompeani (play-by-play), Charlie Batch (color analyst), Missi Matthews (sideline reporter)
TV Coverage in Your Area: Local unless you have NFL+
Radio: Steelers Nation Radio/WDVE Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play), Craig Wolfley (color analyst) and Max Starks (sideline reporter)
Westwood One Radio: N/A
Head Official: Alex Kemp
Key Injuries/Game Status (courtesy steelers.com) PIT: DET:
Injury Notes: Teams do not have to file injury reports for the preseason. Isaiahh Loudermilk and Calvin Austin III are not expected to play due to ankle/foot injuries.
FINAL 2021 NFL Ranks:
Total Offense: PIT 23rd DET 22nd Passing Offense: PIT 15th DET 18th Rushing Offense: PIT 29th DET 19th
Total Defense: PIT 24th DET 29th Passing Defense: PIT 9th DET 24th Rushing Defense: PIT 32nd DET 28th
AFC North Rankings: It’s Preseason… We should not care.
This Week in the AFC North: See above.
What You Need to Know: Mitchell Trubisky will get the start at QB… Kenny Pickett will replace him and Mason Rudolph will follow Pickett… The Lions have been the one team mentioned the most in terms of a destination for Rudolph… Keep an eye on where Connor Heyward lines up this week. He got a lot of snaps at FB in practice… Najee Harris is expected to play…
Detroit Lions Names to Know: QB Jared Goff, DE Aidan Hutchinson, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, DE Austin Bryant, LB Jarrad Davis, RB D’Andre Swift, CB Jeff Okudah, QB Tim Boyle, QB David Blough
What’s at Stake: Staying as healthy as possible.
All-Time Series: Steelers lead 17-14-2
Playoff History: N/A
Last Meeting: November 2021 in Pittsburgh. Lions 16 Steelers 16 F/OT
Check out the latest Steel City Blitz Steelers Podcast for more on the Steelers.
Three Things We Need to See for a Steelers’ Victory:
1. O-Line Anyone? Last week in this spot was the offensive line. Guess what’s here this week? The Steelers’ O-Line put in a pitiful performance Saturday in Jacksonville and to a man, they have a lot to work on. Kevin Dotson will get the start ahead of Kendrick Green and he has to play well. Dan Moore is in a position, in my book, where he has to prove that the Steelers don’t know to go outside the organization for help. Mason Cole, James Daniels and Chuks Okorafor aren’t exactly safe from criticism either and must play better.
2. Depth Issues. Every team had depth issues and the Steelers are no different. Derrek Tuszka and Delonte Scott are all that sits behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith and neither of that inspire much confidence right now. At inside linebacker, you know the struggles of Devin Bush and the rising star of Mark Robinson. I don’t believe Robinson is any threat to start yet over Bush or Robert Spillane but he’s pushing hard to be on this roster and a key member of the reserves. With Calvin Austin III banged up, the bottom of the WR depth is important to keep an eye on too.
3. The Running Backs. With Najee Harris getting the start this week that will push back the battle between Anthony McFarland, Jaylen Warren and Benny Snell. I’m on record, I believe Warren is a better option than Snell is but Tomlin loves Snell and he’s a prized special teamer. McFarland has had a very nice preseason but how does he fit in Matt Canada’s plans? Depending on how the game goes I expect that Warren will get plenty of carries this week.
Prediction: After last season, why wouldn’t I predict a tie?
Lions 15 Steelers 15
