The Detroit Lions are looking to improve to 2-1 in the 2022 NFL preseason when they pay a visit to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium (formerly known as Heinz Field) in downtown Pittsburgh. Today is Detroit’s final preseason game before the start of the regular season.
Backup quarterback Tim Boyle is expected to get the start this afternoon, while the Lions will also be keeping D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams out of action. Meanwhile on the other side, it will be Mitchell Trubisky starting at quarterback for the Steelers.
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“I mean, somebody needs to step up out of the two and I thought they both progressed last week,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said of the competition between David Blough and Boyle. “Now, somebody needs to step up and run this offense, play efficient, play smart, take care of the football, get us the first downs, and when we get down to the red zone, score touchdowns for us.”
First Quarter
The Steelers won the opening coin toss and decided to defer, giving the Lions the ball first. And it was Justin Jefferson with a solid 28-yard return. However, Detroit’s first offensive series wasn’t able to get anything going.
It wouldn’t be long before both Aidan Hutchinson and Charles Harris both got to Trubisky, taking him down for a 3rd down sack:
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Trubisky would lead Pittsburgh’s offense down the field, but a series of penalties would prove costly and prevent them from reaching the end zone; they’d settle for a field goal from Chris Boswell. 3-0 Steelers
Detroit Lions RB Jermar Jefferson would come through with a solid 27 yard run on 3rd and 17:
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Second Quarter
Boyle would be intercepted by Cameron Sutton on an ill advised pass; he’d return it back to Detroit’s 19 yard line. The Steelers would soon follow that up with another field goal, and now lead 6-0. 6-0 Steelers.
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Detroit was unable to convert on a 4th and short attempt from their 25 yard line. The Steelers would take over, but Detroit’s defense would hold the fort, forcing Pittsburgh to once again have to settle for a field goal. 9-0 Steelers.
Backup David Blough has now entered the game for Detroit.
The Steelers got some bad injury news, as T.J. Watt has been ruled out for the rest of a game with a knee injury. Additionally, WR Diontae Johnson won’t return either with a shoulder injury.
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The Steelers increased their lead to 15-0, as Trubisky led his team down the field on a six play, 92 yard drive. The extra point is good. 16-0 Steelers
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Halftime: Steelers 16, Lions 0
Third Quarter
The Lions have finally gotten themselves on the scoresheet thanks to a 36 yard field goal from Austin Seibert. Steelers 16, Lions 3
Meanwhile, Austin Bryant showed his defensive prowess by coming through with a key field goal block, allowing the Lions to take over at their own 20 yard line:
https://twitter.com/Lions/status/1564020657830219776?s=20&t=gZfVPjgjifM8hN25b6gkrA
Fourth Quarter
The Steelers have increased their lead thanks to another field goal from Boswell, this one from 54 yards. 19-3 Steelers
Detroit missed their chance to reach the end zone for the first time on the afternoon, as Blough’s pass to Kalil Pimpleton was dropped on a 4th and goal attempt. They would inch closer as time ticked off the clock, as Blough connected with Quintez Cephus:
https://twitter.com/NFLTouchDown22/status/1564033993078722563?s=20&t=i2rP6wcCBj3albzzi5lxJg
However, the two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful. 19-9 Steelers
Final Score: Steelers 19, Lions 9
That’s your final. The Lions will now turn preparations for the Philadelphia Eagles on September 11 in Week 1 of the NFL regular season.
