5 key questions the Steelers must answer to beat the Lions

Can the Steelers linebackers hold up in coverage?

One of the only elements of the Lions’ offense that works well is their passing game to both D’Andre Smith and T.J. Hockenson. Both are talented receivers out of the backfield and both benefit from running routes against linebackers as opposed to regularly seeing cornerbacks. It isn’t a coincidence that both lead the Lions in yards and receptions at this point in the season.

The Steelers defense features two talented linebackers that have had varying success as coverage players. Joe Schobert has done well in timing routs and staying with his man, but he lacks the top-end athleticism to keep up with some of the faster players in the league. Devin Bush, on the other hand, has the speed but his instincts in coverage have never developed past his average play. Both can hold their own, but they face a big task this week.

If the Steelers can stop both of these receiving threats, the Lions’ offense will flounder. Even just limiting one makes the entire passing offense suddenly go through one receiver as opposed to two. This is a matchup the team can exploit. Even if one of these options (likely Swift) has some success through the air, stopping the other one limits what the Lions will be able to do on offense.