Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers
Week / Date: Week 10, Sunday November 14th at 1:00 p.m.
Live broadcast: Detroit Lions Mobile App
Previous matchup: October 29, 2017: The Steelers beat the Lions 20-15 in Sunday Night Football.
Why this game is important: The Lions are headed for this week 10 matchup, which comes after a mid-season bye week 9 that gives them an opportunity to rest and get healthy. This is our first look at how well Dan Campbell and his coaching staff are preparing their team for the bye. This game sets the tone for the second half of the season. – Tim Twentyman
Crucial matchup: Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger wants to turn back the clock at 39 and perform in his 18th season as he did in his prime. Lions cannot allow that to happen. It is important that you get Big Ben to behave at his age.
The Steelers are a modeling franchise that finds ways to win. For Lions, the focus must be on preventing Roethlisberger from eliminating any of these avenues.
When the Steelers collapsed to a 12-4 finish after an 11-0 start last season – and a playoff loss to Cleveland – it was evident that Roethlisberger’s skills had deteriorated. His average gain of 6.3 yards per pass attempt in 2020 was 1.4 below his career average. – Mike O’Hara
Rookie watch: Linebacker Derrick Barnes is now half a season behind him and is expected to be a key player for the Detroit linebacker unit. The Steelers want to be more balanced on offense after knocking back Najee Harris in the first round.
Barnes is expected to line up on Detroit’s 3-4 scheme, so he will play a huge role in trying to contain Harris and the Steelers run game. – Tim Twentyman
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