Detroit Lions Weblog

Week 17: Can the Lions Spoil Pittsburgh’s Postseason Aspirations?

In response to this entry’s heading, Definitely Not! I would give the Lions a really slim chance of victory even if this game were going to be played at Ford Field. The fact is, this game will likely be played under harsh weather conditions at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. The Lions have proven this season that they have not yet reached a point where they can play competitively on the road with any sort of consistency. Also, it is no secret that the Steelers, playing for their very playoff lives, are a significantly better team than the Lions.

On Offense, the Lions must score and score often. The Lion offense has been anemic at best, and the Steelers have a formidable defense. Still, if the Lions offensive line and backs can be effective in stemming off the Steeler’s pass rush and blitzes, they could potentially exploit the Steeler’s secondary(Especially if the Lions take some shots down the field to C-Rog and Roy when they are matched up one on one with a corner due to safety blitzes!). If the Lions are able to convert some big plays in the passing game, they may be able to loosen up the Steelers tough defense against the ground game. I believe that the Lions will have to utilize a lot of maximum protection blocking schemes to give Joey Harrington a decent opportunity to find open receivers while facing the Steelers onslaught. I am very worried that the Steelers will outright out-physical the Lions up-front and break the team’s will in a meaningless game. Joey Harrington will have to remain unfazed from the ceaseless Steeler attack. The Lions have not performed well in third and long yardage situations all year and they will be facing that situation often during this game. They will need to convert these third and longs regularly to keep their drives going and remain competitive. If the Lions should fail to do so, this game will be over by the half and quite likely, Dan Orlovsky will get some reps.

On Defense, the Lions, whose Linebacking corps has been obliterated by injuries, must get the games of their lives performance-wise from it’s Defensive line rotation. Early in the game, I believe that the Steelers will try to hammer the Lions with their ground attack and then exploit the Lion’s weak secondary with a sprinkling of play action deep balls to Hines Ward and Antoine Randle-El. If the Steelers are able to gain a big lead early, they will pound the Lions defense into submission with it’s punishing ground attack. Again, the Steelers need this victory, but if they are able to jump ahead early they may be able to save “Big Ben” for the playoffs and would gladly hand the game over to Charlie Batch. For the Steelers, I believe that this would be an ideal situation. If the Lions remain close, the Steelers will become quite nervous.

All of this speculation is for naught. I can’t conjure a scenario where the Lions aren’t too outmanned, too outphysicaled, too overmatched to remain at all competive in this game.

Heinz Ketchup 34 Honolulu Blue and Bloodstains 9