3 things we learned from Steelers tie against the Detroit Lions
By Eric Hassel
The Steelers defense prevented a catastrophe against the Lions
Let’s make no mistake, I think had it not been for a herculean effort by the Steelers defense, we could have easily lost to the Lions. Frankly, that would have been both demoralizing and catastrophic as you don’t easily recover from losses such as those.
Fortunately, the defense corrected some of the issues that allowed the Lions to seemingly run the ball at will; however, to give up two-hundred and twenty-nine yards on the ground is both alarming and frustrating as we have traditionally been stout against the run.
What is not alarming is this: The Steelers ‘D’ continues to rack up the sacks. Against the Lions, the usual suspects, Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt got to the opposing QB as did an unlikely suspect in Terrell Edmunds. Honestly, the defense really kept us in the game and gave us opportunities to turn what feels like a loss into a win. Alas, it was not meant to be.
Conversely, what is alarming are the mounting injuries on the defensive side of the ball. We simply cannot survive with the slew of injuries we had not only against the Lions but all season long. At some point, the injuries with which we are dealing may ‘come home to roost’.
Let’s take a look at what else we learned.