Game Prologue
Coming into this game, I wanted to see if Pittsburgh could score on Detroit’s reserves. I was hoping to see Russell Wilson and Justin Fields play, and I was hoping the offensive line would give them time to throw the ball. I especially wanted to see Broderick Jones perform. Two roster battles intrigued me: Jeremiah Moon vs. Kyron Johnson and Scotty Miller vs. Dez Fitzpatrick. Finally, I wanted to see if the reserve running backs would emerge.
Game Day Experience
I watched the game again from the comfort of my couch, and was lucky that the game was televised in the Washington DC area, but I was annoyed because I had to listen to the Detroit announcers, including Golden Tate.
I was very disappointed to read that ESPN was offering a single-game package where you could watch all 17 games of your favorite team for $70.The greedy NFL rejected the proposal. Would it be better to increase the NFL’s revenue and pay the players more, or reduce the revenue a little and lower the salary cap to make the contracts more affordable? I would rather the NFL and NFLPA make it more affordable for the average fan. But that’s just my opinion.
Steelers Offense
The Steelers scored two touchdowns to take a 14-0 lead. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields both played decently well. I would have liked Wilson to play at least one more series, but he extended the drive with a 32-yard pass to George Pickens on 3rd down and 11. Cordarrelle Patterson’s 31-yard run for the score was impressive. He doesn’t have blazing speed, but he showed some nice jutting on his way to the end zone.
Justin Fields also led a scoring drive, with the highlight being a nice 22-yard pass to MyCole Pruitt down the middle of the field that set up La’Mical Perine for a short score. Fields did indeed miss the snap, spoiling the drive, but it looked like Zach Frazier had snapped the ball early.
The starting offensive line protected the quarterback. Broderick Jones played much better than he did last week. They used their reserves and, while they weren’t dominant, they played to their potential. The two reserve linemen who played very poorly were Devery Hamilton and Joey Fisher. I think they cost them a chance to even make the practice squad. The running backs played better than the rest of the reserves. Dez Fitzpatrick had a great reception for 59 yards, beating Scotty Miller, who had two catches for nine yards. Jarei Jenkins made a great catch along the sideline, but was pushed out by a defender and was out before he could get his second foot on the inbounds. He needs to work on his footwork.
Overall, it was an acceptable offensive performance considering the Steelers used their reserve players.
Steelers Defense
The Steelers again played without Cam Heyward, TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Additionally, Joey Porter Jr. sat out, giving Corey Trice Jr. a chance to play with the starters. Pittsburgh’s front seven gave the Lions a hard time. They sacked five times the fast-footed third quarterback, Hendon Hooker, who started in Detroit. Nick Herbig was the standout.
He sacked Hooker twice on the first drive, including forcing a fumble that Dean Lawrie recovered. Keanu Benton and DeMarvin Leal each recorded a third sack on the Lions’ first drive. Mike Tomlin rushed Herbig and the other starters, but as the game went on the reserves looked more like a Chinese fire drill than a practical defense. Jeremiah Moon did not play, and Kyron Johnson was very quick off the line. This may settle the camp battle. International player Julius Welshoff recorded two quarterback sacks, following one from last week. Mark Robinson had eight more tackles, but he may have been responsible for the easy touchdown that gave Detroit the lead.
I was surprised that Beanie Bishop Jr. didn’t play defense until the second half. It was a shame that he didn’t make any impressive plays, especially against Detroit’s third-tier team. Thomas Graham Jr. played in the first half and could be favored for a roster spot. It was fun to see Cam Sutton intercept a pass that went off the receiver’s hands and punted the ball into the stands. He could be a valuable addition after serving his eight-game suspension.
Defensive injury
It was scary to see Ryan Watts on the field convulsing with under 2 minutes left in the game. Replays showed he was blocked from behind and hit his head on a teammate’s leg or knee as he went to the ground. I was relieved to see him walk off the field under his own power. I was also surprised to see Mike Tomlin mention injuries to Trice (groin) and Welshoff (knee). Both of them played well and I didn’t see when they were injured.
Special teams
Special teams is an underrated aspect of the game where one big play can turn the tide or decide a game. The new kickoff rules should increase kick returns and test whether special teams coordinators can adapt to the change.
I break down special teams into three phases: kickoff, punt, and scoring (field goals and extra points). Below is an overview of special teams plays during the game.
kick off
Chris Boswell and Matthew Wright each kicked off twice. All of the kickoffs reached their designated landing spots, but Detroit’s three players returned them an average of 30 yards. Pittsburgh was helped by a Detroit return penalty on the final kickoff, but overall the kick coverage unit was hit hard.
Jake Bates kicked off five times. The first kick missed the designated landing zone, and the second went out of bounds near the goal line. Both kicks put Pittsburgh starting at the 40-yard line. John Rhys Plumlee returned the next two. He returned the first kick to the 25-yard line, but a penalty pushed the ball back to the 15-yard line. With the game running out, Plumlee returned it 38 yards to the 44-yard line. He stayed in the game as the quarterback. Good old fashioned football. Bates’ final kick landed in the landing zone, but the Pittsburgh returner allowed a touchback, so the ball went to the 20-yard line.
Pittsburgh’s kick coverage team performed very poorly. We have yet to see Cordarrelle Patterson return a kick. Maybe we will see it in Week 1!
statistics
kick off | Number of KOs | RT N | tuberculosis | Alumni | IN25 | pen | Average Start |
Chris Boswell | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 of |
Matthew Wright | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 27 Date |
Jake Bates | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 32nd place |
Kickoff Return | South Korea | Yard | average | length | pen | T.D. |
John Rhys Plumlee | 2 | 60 | 30.0 | 38 | 0 | 0 |
Jake Funk | 1 | 28 | 28.0 | 28 | 0 | 0 |
Isaiah Williams | 1 | 37 | 37.0 | 37 | 0 | 0 |
Maurice Alexander | 2 | 55 | 27.5 | 31 | 1 | 0 |
Steelers have the advantage.
Punting
Cameron Johnston averaged 45.8 yards on six punts, but only 40.8 yards per punt. Again, Johnston went long distance on his first three punts, but the Gunners couldn’t stop the returns. Detroit returner Isaiah Williams would have averaged 15 yards if not for the first penalty. Johnston’s final three punts were short distances as the Pittsburgh offense couldn’t advance to scoring position. He forced two fair catches, and one punt went out of bounds inside the 20-yard line. Pittsburgh desperately needs an effective gunner for long punts. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Steelers acquire someone on waivers.
Jack Fox punted three times, averaging 50 yards and 44.7 yards per return. John Rhys Plumlee was the returner, and Calvin Austin III broke through. Plumlee returned the first two attempts, but failed to reach the 20-yard line. His best return was nine yards. The final punt went 42 yards before going out of bounds at the Pittsburgh 30.
statistics
Punting | Punt | average | net | tuberculosis | OB/D | IN20 | pen | length |
Cameron Johnston | 6 | 45.8 | 40.8 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 53 |
Jack Fox | 3 | 50.0 | 44.7 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 62 |
Punt Return | public relations | Yard | average | FC | pen | length | T.D. |
John Rhys Plumlee | 2 | 16 | 8.0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
Isaiah Williams | 3 | 30 | 10.0 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 0 |
Advantage Lions
Field goals and extra points
Chris Boswell kicked both of the Steelers’ extra points, and Matthew Wright made a 26-yard field goal to briefly put Pittsburgh ahead 17-14 and show the rest of the team his legs.
Jake Bates was 3-of-3 on extra points, missed a 30-yard field goal and then made a 46-yard field goal to seal the game.
statistics
FG and PAT | XPM | XPA | Female Genital Mutilation | F.G.A. | length | 2PTM | 2PTA |
Chris Boswell | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Matthew Wright | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 26 | 0 | 0 |
Jake Bates | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 46 | 0 | 0 |
Advantage Lions
Your passionate opinion during the game
thank you, Ross McCorkleThanks to SteelersDepot for keeping the live updates and discussion threads up to date on the first and second halves of the game. SteelersDepot respondents contributed 484 comments on the first half. SteelersDepot respondents added 302 comments on the second half. Top 3 Comments from each half. I don’t know what algorithm Disqus uses, but here’s a summary:
The top comments from the first half covered several topics:
- Chris92021 In the end, his hopes were dashed. “All I want is for Corey Trice to be healthy and have a full season. The kid’s tall and has great instincts.” Trice has a groin injury, hopefully it’s not too serious.
- Darth Yenser is I was pleased with the Steelers’ performance in the third preseason game. “That’s a big improvement in execution. Sure, it’s the preseason and most of the defensive starters are gone, but the blocks are being assigned, the routes are accurate, there are fewer miscommunications and no pre-snap penalties. They really are like an NFL team.”
- Big Dick Swangin It was annoying to the announcer. “I don’t want to watch the game with the opposing team’s broadcast crew.” I empathize with his feelings.
The latter comments were mixed.
- Sincerely, Beaver Falls Hossley He slid into the top comment in the second half. “Cam Sutton got an interception. Might help once his suspension is over.” Thank you everyone for liking this!
- Big Dick Swangin I didn’t like the performance of the reserves. “The practice squad is going to be tough for most of the players.” I agree with him: his job was on the line and his performance was poor.
- SBSteeler805 I don’t like the way third-string quarterback Kyle Allen is playing. “Allen is tough to watch. Hopefully we never see him in the regular season.” In fairness, the fumble loss wasn’t his fault; it was the offensive line that collapsed.
We hope you enjoy following our live updates and chatting with us in the discussion thread.
Conclusion
Preseason is almost over, and it’s time to prepare for the regular season opener in Atlanta. The team played well, but mostly against Detroit’s reserves. Some players with less depth, like Dez Fitzpatrick, Kyron Johnson, and DeMarvin Leal, were in line to make the initial 53-man roster. Others, like Devery Hamilton, Joey Fisher, and Cava Tezino, who committed an obvious horse collar foul late in the game, hurt their chances of even making the practice squad.
Let’s hope the injured players recover quickly. The final cuts will be made this Tuesday. We’ll know who the initial 53-man roster will be. There will probably be some rookies acquired via waivers or trades. The Steelers seem weak at nickel corner and wide receiver. They need a gunner. And depending on Trice’s groin, they might need some outside help on the outside corner. Is Patrick Peterson a possibility? Or will Miles Boykin be available? What will the Brandon Aiyuk fuss be? Regular season football starts in just two weeks, and there could still be a lot of action surrounding who will wear the black and gold in 2024.
Your song selection
I always like to throw a little music in. The regular season is rapidly approaching, and I’m prepared to be surprised in some way by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024. Struck by lightning Executor Steve SegalsMy favourite Finnish cover band.