The Pittsburgh Steelers are on the road for the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions. Their performance, especially on offense, has been underwhelming through two games, so this is the last chance to right the ship before the games start counting. A little momentum wouldn’t hurt.
Russell Wilson will once again start with Justin Fields coming in after him. Mike Tomlin talked about balancing this as the tune-up game, but also making sure that guys on the roster bubble get their opportunity like in the old fourth preseason game in the past. The amount that the backups get to play will be dictated by how successful the starting units are. The plan wasn’t for Wilson and Fields to play the entire game last week, but they did because they weren’t producing results.
Will Broderick Jones and the offensive line show signs of improvement? That will be one of the most important things to track along as the Steelers are still sorting out their starting tackle situation between Jones, Troy Fautanu, and Dan Moore Jr.
If you haven’t joined us for a game thread before, thanks for tuning in! I will update this post throughout the first half with video highlights, play-by-play, interesting tweets, injury updates, and more. Also, be sure to join the discussion at the bottom of the page in the comment section.
T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, Alex Highsmith, and Joey Porter Jr. are among those not suited up to play.
Mason McCormick is taking center snaps in the warmup. He could be the backup center with Nate Herbig now on IR.
With Porter out, Cory Trice Jr. and Darius Rush have a large opportunity ahead of them to battle it out for the top backup corner job. According to Gerry Dulac, Trice will get the start.
Russell Wilson was the lone captain for the coin toss. He won and elected to receive.
START OF GAME
The Steelers start with the ball at the 40-yard line because the kickoff did not reach the landing zone. Great starting field position for Wilson and the offense.
1st and 10, Najee Harris up the middle for 5 yards. 2nd and 5, Wilson connected with George Pickens but his elbow was down so he lost 6 yards. 3rd and 11, Wilson to Pickens along the left sideline for 32 yards. That was a huge play to dig themselves out of 3rd and long.
1st and 10, Cordarrelle Patterson tackled for a loss of two off the right end. The next play, Patterson up the middle for 31 yards and a touchdown. Two explosive plays and a quick trip to the end zone. 7-0 Steelers.
The kickoff was returned to the 32 yard line. 1st and 10 Hendon Hooker complete to Zonovan Knight for 8 yards brought down by Elandon Roberts. 2nd and 2, Knight off right end for a gain of 1. 3rd and 1, Shane Zylstra caught the pass for 8 yards, tackled by Patrick Queen.
1st and 10, Nick Herbig sacked Hooker for a loss of 5. 2nd and 15, Hooker sacked by Keeanu Benton for a loss of 7. 3rd and 22, Herbig strip sack recovered by Dean Lowry. Herbig is on fire this preseason.
Below are all three sacks.
Justin Fields already checking into the game. I think it is safe to say Wilson is the Week 1 starter. They would have given him more opportunities if the competition was real.
1st and 10, Patterson off left tackle for 2 yards. 2nd and 8, Fields complete to Van Jefferson for 5 yards. 3rd and 3, Fields rushed for 3 yards to convert.
1st and 10, Fields complete to MyCole Pruitt for 22 yards.
1st and goal, Fields kept it himself for no gain. 2nd and goal from within the 1-yard line, La’Mical Perine went into the end zone untouched. 14-0 Steelers.
The Lions returned the kick 37 yards to the 45.
1st and 10, Elandon Roberts nearly had the tackle for loss, but lost his feet in the backfield. It was a gain of 3 with Herbig and Donte Jackson in on the tackle. 2nd and 7, Cory Trice Jr. made the tackle for a loss of three. 3rd and 10, incomplete pass. Nick Herbig nearly got another sack.
QB John Rhys Plumlee returned the punt 9 yards to the 18.
Isaac Seumalo checked out of the game, but the line remains the same other than Spencer Anderson subbing in.
1st and 10, Aaron Shampklin off left tackle for 1 yard. 2nd and 9, Shampklin off left end for 5 yards. 3rd and 4, Fields fumbled the snap and got sacked. Fields wasn’t expecting the snap, so it may have been on Zach Frazier.
Cameron Johnston punted 51 yards.
1st and 10, Hooker complete to Zylstra for 1 yard. 2nd and 9, Jefferson up the middle for four yards. 3rd and 5, Hooker scrambled for 9 yards.
1st and 10, Julius Welschof sacked Hooker for a loss of 7.
END OF 3RD QUARTER 14-0 STEELERS
2nd and 17, Hooker incomplete to Donovan Peoples-Jones. 3rd and 17, Hooker scrambled for 6 yards. The punt went 62 yards to flip the field.
1st and 10 from the 12 yard line, Fields rolled out, sets his feet, and hit Van Jefferson for 12 yards. Jefferson banged up on the play.
1st and 10, Perine found the edge and delivered a stiff arm for a gain of 11.
1st and 10, Fields incomplete to Scotty Miller as it skipped off the ground. 2nd and 10, Perine up the middle for 2 yards. 3rd and 8, Fields sacked for a loss of 11 yards. Cameron Johnston’s punt went 51 yards and returned 16 to the Detroit 36.
1st and 10, Funk off left tackle for 2 yards brought down by Montravius Adams. 2nd and 8, incomplete to Zylstra. 3rd and 8, false start. 3rd and 13, Welschof in for another sack!
The punt went 42 yards to the 30 out of bounds.
Kyle Allen checked into the game at quarterback. The Wilson-Fields preseason QB battle is concluded.
1st and 10, Jonathan Ward off right tackle for 3 yards. 2nd and 7, Allen sacked for a loss of 7. 3rd and 14, Allen complete to Scotty Miller for 7 yards. Cameron Johnston’s punt went 53 yards, returned 14 to the Detroit 28.
1st and 10, Hooker incomplete. 2nd and 10, Hooker complete to K. Davis for 9 yards in the middle of the field. 3rd and 1, Funk off right tackle for 1 yard.
1st and 10, Hooker incomplete to Peoples-Jones. 2nd and 10, Funk off right tackle for 10 yards.
1st and 10, Funk tackled by Isaiahh Loudermilk for a loss of 1. 2nd and 11, Hooker complete short middle for a 17-yard gain by Williams.
1st and 10, Jacob Slade batted the pass down incomplete. 2nd and 10, Funk up the middle for 15 yards.
1st and 10, Hooker scrambled for 19 yards.
1st and goal, Funk for no gain tackled by Marcus Haynes. 2nd and goal, Hooker complete to Funk in the flat for a touchdown. 14-7 Steelers.
Kickoff out of bounds this time. Kyle Allen and the offense start at the 40.
1st and 10, Allen complete to Scotty Miller for 2 yards.
TWO MINUTE WARNING
2nd and 8, Allen strip sacked and recovered by the Lions. An opportunity to tie it up going into the half.
1st and 10, Hooker complete deep middle for 18 yards with Kiondre Thomas in coverage.
1st and 10, Jefferson off left tackle for 7 yards. Timeout called with just 00:44 remaining in the half. 2nd and 3, Hooker scrambled for 4 yards out of bounds.
1st and goal, Jefferson up the middle for 3 yards. Timeout called by Detroit. 2nd and goal, Jefferson up the middle for a touchdown. 14-14 even.
END OF 1ST HALF
Join us for the second half here.
