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Post by D6 on Nov 11, 2021 17:03:05 GMT -5
PFT’s NFL Week 10 2021 picks
Lions (+9.5) at Steelers
MDS’s take: Ben Roethlisberger has not been good this season, but he’s been a whole lot better than Jared Goff.
MDS’s pick: Steelers 24, Lions 20.
Florio’s take: The Steelers surely will hear it all week from Mike Tomlin after blowing a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Florio’s pick: Steelers 31, Lions 17.
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I'm cautiously optimistic that the Lions will be in position to win this game in the 4th QTR. Some of my reasons are as follows:
1. The Lions are coming off a bye. The Steelers played on MNF and didn't secure a victory until the final play of the game.
2. Granted, there's a new coaching staff this season. But in the last 3 seasons, in which not much else went well, much of the Lions best football was the games following a bye. The Lions went 2-1 in those games, beating Miami and Jacksonville comfortably. The Packers beat the Lions on a last second FG on MNF in 2019. However, two highly controversial penalties against Trey Flowers had a tremendous impact on the outcome of the game.
3. The Lions have played better this season against teams that almost no one the Lions expected to beat. The Steelers, which have a 4 game winning streak and are at home, fit that category.
4. The Lions injury situation regarding players not lost for the season has improved.
5. Even though the Steelers have a deep quality WR corp, # 1 WR Chase Claypool very likely won't healthy enough to play. |
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Post by D6 on Nov 11, 2021 18:32:07 GMT -5
Nearly 65% of bettors rolling with winless Lions to cover 8.5-point spread against Steelers
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To Mike Tomlin's credit, in his 14 completed seasons as Steelers HC, the Steelers have been no worse than 8-8 in any of those seasons. As the quotes in the article reflect, Tomlin is about performance, not excuses. Even if the Lions end up winning this game, it's not going to come easy or even relatively easy. The Steelers will battle, regardless of the score or circumstances. |
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Post by D6 on Nov 12, 2021 13:35:39 GMT -5
Lions-Steelers matchup a stark contrast, as stability meets disarray
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Early on when Mike Tomlin became the Steelers HC in 2007, he made a decision that reflects in part why he's been a highly successful NFL HC. Tomlin was the DC with the Vikings the previous season under then HC Brad Childress. Before, that he was the DB Coach with the Bucs under HC Jon Gruden and DC Monte Kiffin. The Tampa Two was the base Defense with both the Bucs and Vikings when Tomlin was with them.
In Pittsburgh, DC Dick LeBeau (under Bill Cowher) was a pioneer with the 3-4 Based Zone Blitz scheme. Tomlin retained LeBeau as DC and kept LeBeau's Defensive system in place. Tomlin recognized that LeBeau and his system were a key part of the Steelers success. It turned out to be a great decision by Tomlin, as the Steelers won the 2008 season Super Bowl and they reached the Super Bowl two years later. With the Steelers being a serious playoff contender much more often than not. LeBeau was replaced many years later but his Defensive system in essence has remained in place.
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Post by frenchylions on Nov 13, 2021 9:55:18 GMT -5
There is a close competition in this AFC North division and with the defeat of the Ravens on Thursday night, the Steelers simply cannot afford to lose against a 0-8 opponent. even with Ben not being what he once was and Claypool out. The Steelers defense probably won't allow many points.
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Post by D6 on Nov 13, 2021 18:46:03 GMT -5
The Ravens losing on Thursday Night to the then 2-7 Dolphins is something Mike Tomlin likely has made and / or will make a point of emphasis to the Steelers players leading up to their game with the Lions.
With the Browns and Bengals only a 1/2 game behind the Steelers for 2nd place in the ultra-tight AFC North race, this is indeed a game the Steelers can't afford to lose. Whether this gets through enough Steelers players and whether the Lions can take advantage of being the fresher team, appears to be two of the key questions regarding this game.
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Post by D6 on Nov 13, 2021 18:57:26 GMT -5
Can the Detroit Lions pick up their first win of the season in Pittsburgh?
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Related to what Frenchy expressed, points will probably be hard to come by for the Lions Offense against the Steelers Defense. The Lions Defense and / or Special Teams are probably going to either need to score points directly against the Steelers (much like the Bears Punt Coverage unit did in the 4th QTR of the MNF game) or help set put points for the Lions Offense. Like in all games this season, the Lions margin of error is low.
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Post by D6 on Nov 13, 2021 19:12:51 GMT -5
Detroit News predictions: Lions at Steelers
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Najee Harris is a much better rusher than his 3.6 per carry reflects. The MNF game vs. the Bears illustrates this. The Bears often won the battle of the middle of the trenches. Harris was the difference in preventing a loss of yardage on a number of running plays. With Harris' all-around skills and intangibles, as long as he's relatively healthy, the Steelers have a foundation piece with him.
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Post by D6 on Nov 13, 2021 19:25:42 GMT -5
Detroit News scouting report: Lions at Steelers
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The Steelers remaining schedule makes this game that much more important for the Steelers. The Ravens were in a similar situation but ended up losing on the road to the then 2-7 Dolphins.
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Post by D6 on Nov 13, 2021 20:02:11 GMT -5
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Post by D6 on Nov 13, 2021 20:25:09 GMT -5
Lions vs. Steelers: 3 key matchups that will decide the Week 10 game
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I'm anticipating Penei Sewell to get help in pass protection at times in this game. Expecting Sewell to hold up without pass blocking help an entire game when T.J. Watt is on the field is asking for plenty.
Najee Harris and Pat Freiermuth are Red Zone weapons for the Steelers.
Freiermuth is arguably the Steelers best blocker, when comparing his blocking at TE to what the other Steelers blockers provide at their respective positions. The Steelers WRs impressed me with their run blocking against the Bears. The Lions need much better blocking from the team's WR corp than what the Lions have been getting.
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Post by D6 on Nov 14, 2021 0:01:30 GMT -5
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Post by D6 on Nov 14, 2021 12:55:50 GMT -5
LT Taylor Decker will make season debut for Detroit Lions; WR Josh Reynolds out
Lions inactives for Week 10 include new WR Josh Reynolds
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No surprise regarding Josh Reynolds being Inactive today. Two practices for a player at most positions, including a WR, isn't enough for a player to be ready to contribute. Barring injury, Josh Reynolds should make his Lions debut next Sunday in Cleveland.
With the Lions only going with conventional 3 Edge. Players today on Defense, Derrick Barnes, who was an edge Rusher much of his time with Purdue, could get several edge opportunities.
My prediction is the dreaded score of Steelers 19, Lions 17. Until proven otherwise, the Lions can't be trusted in a spot with a backup QB starting for the opposition. With the Lions also having the advantage of being much more fresh. The Steelers have very impressive rookies at RB ( Najee Harris ) and TE ( Pat Freiermuth ), with two edge rushers ( T.J. Watt and Alonzo Highsmith ) that can cause series damage, and an interior D-Lineman ( Cameron Hayward ) who has a history of making impact plays with his combination of length, athletic ability, and savvy. K Chris Boswell has a track record of success in Heinz Field that I believe gives him the edge against any Kicker with the possible exception of Ravens K Justin Tucker. |
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