Each week, our football staff at DK Pittsburgh Sports predicts the Steelers' game, and below are the picks for the game against the Lions, Sunday, 1:02 p.m., at Heinz Field.
For a full preview, check my Kickoff.
Dale Lolley (5-3): The Lions have been plucky -- every other week. Last week would've been their week to be good after getting trounced by the Eagles at home ... except they were on a bye. Even without Chase Claypool and JuJu Smith-Schuster, the Steelers have the better receiver group. And their defense should control a toothless Detroit offense. Ben Roethlisberger was placed on the COVID-19 List, meaning Mason Rudolph will make a spot start. But it doesn't change my outlook. Steelers, 24-17
Chris Carter (5-3): The Lions will look to stack up against the run and give the Steelers a tough game by forcing Ben Roethlisberger to beat them, but this could be a chance for the offensive line and Najee Harris to show the world how good they can be against the NFL's 29th-ranked run defense. It'll be close, but look for the defense to make some splash plays. Steelers, 23-16
Ramon Foster (5-3): The Steelers are rolling with wins right now, so I don’t see them playing down to a winless team. Which is good because they can't afford to drop games with the AFC being a complete mess. Steelers, 24-10
Tom Reed (4-4): I'm using this space to express one thing: I hope you keep the family of the late Tunch Ilkin in your thoughts Sunday as the club enshrines the former tackle and several other former players in the Steelers Hall of Honor. Steelers, 27-10
Eddie Provident (6-2): No reason to overanalyze this. The defense learns its lesson and actually shows up for the whole second half and the offense puts 4 quarters of football together. Steelers, 31-13
Dejan Kovacevic (3-5): Rudolph's start aside, I exist to tear through threads and threads of comments crushing Mike Tomlin for setting the stage for the Steelers to play down to a winless opponent. This is it. This is my big turnaround week. Lions, 72-2
Let's have your picks in the comments!
