Lions vs. Steelers: Keys to Victory and Coach Todd’s Insight on Rookie QB, Two-Headed Backfield, and Offensive Preparation
As the Detroit Lions prepare for their upcoming matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, all eyes are on rookie quarterback Kaidon Salter, who has shown promise but also has vulnerabilities that we must exploit. Salter, while gifted with a strong arm and mobility, is still adjusting to the NFL’s speed and complexity. Our game plan? Get relentless pressure on him and force mistakes. If we can collapse the pocket, hurry his throws, and make him uncomfortable early, it’ll force him into poor decisions—a major key to our success.
The Steelers’ offense is also driven by their dynamic two-headed backfield of Derrius Cooley and Najee Harris. Cooley brings a slashing, elusive style, while Harris is a bruiser with elite vision. Stopping these two won’t be easy, but we’ve been putting in extra time preparing for them. Our defense has been drilling on how to contain the run while staying alert for those sneaky swing passes or screens, where both backs can break loose and turn small gains into big plays. Staying disciplined will be crucial because if we overcommit to the run, Salter could take advantage with a short dump-off that leads to a big chunk of yardage.
The Steelers also boast a wide array of receiving threats, from George Pickens to Pat Freiermuth, which means our secondary needs to stay locked in and avoid giving up big plays downfield. They’ll try to spread us out and create mismatches, but our defensive backs have been sharp in practice, focusing on zone awareness and communication. If we can stay disciplined in coverage and avoid blown assignments, we’ll keep their passing game in check.
But it’s not just defense that’s key to this game—our offensive line will play a massive role in determining the outcome. We know Jared Goff can pick apart any defense when given time, and that’s what it’ll come down to. The Steelers’ defensive front, led by T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, is one of the best in the league at generating pressure. Our offensive line has been working tirelessly in practice to ensure Goff gets the protection he needs. If we can neutralize Watt’s pass rush and control the line of scrimmage, Goff will have time to go through his progressions and hit his targets downfield.
Not only do we need to protect Goff, but we also need to create running lanes for Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Gibbs’ speed and shiftiness in open space can be a game-changer, while Montgomery’s power and physicality can wear down defenses. Running the ball effectively will not only keep the Steelers’ defense honest but also open up our play-action game, where Goff thrives.
The bye week couldn’t come at a better time for us. It’s given our team a chance to reset, get healthy, and fine-tune areas that needed attention. The extra rest has been crucial for the offensive line, and they’ll need to be at their best against Pittsburgh’s front seven. This Lions team feels ready and locked in for this game, knowing that a win over the Steelers could set the tone for the second half of the season.
Interview with Coach Eddie Todd
Q: Coach Todd, you’ve been focusing on getting pressure on rookie QB Kaidon Salter. What’s the plan to disrupt his rhythm and force mistakes?
Coach Todd: “Salter’s a talented young QB, but like any rookie, he’s still learning the game. Our goal is to bring pressure from different angles and make him uncomfortable. We want to force him into tough situations, make him rush his reads, and ideally, force turnovers. Our D-line has been working hard on disguising blitzes, and we’ve emphasized gap discipline to contain him in the pocket.”
Q: Derrius Cooley and Najee Harris form a formidable backfield for the Steelers. How do you plan to contain both of them?
Coach Todd: “They’re both dangerous in different ways, and that’s what makes them tough to defend. Cooley has that quickness and can break one open if you’re not careful, while Harris can run through arm tackles and wear you down. We’ve spent a lot of time on tackling drills and gap assignments. Our linebackers will need to be on high alert for screens and swing passes. It’s all about staying disciplined and not overcommitting.”
Q: Pittsburgh’s receiving corps has a lot of options. How do you plan to keep them from making big plays?
Coach Todd: “They do have some great weapons, but we’re confident in our secondary. The key is communication and making sure we’re covering our zones and staying disciplined in man-to-man situations. We can’t let anyone get behind us, and our safeties will need to be sharp in recognizing routes. We’ve drilled this week on minimizing those big plays, especially in third-down situations.”
Q: You’ve emphasized protecting Jared Goff. How confident are you in the offensive line’s ability to block Pittsburgh’s pass rush, especially with players like T.J. Watt coming off the edge?
Coach Todd: “T.J. Watt is a game-wrecker, no doubt about it. Our line knows the challenge they’re facing, and we’ve been preparing all week for it. I’m confident in the guys up front—they’ve been solid all year. It’s going to come down to technique and execution. If we give Goff the time he needs, he’ll make plays. And we also need to create those running lanes for Gibbs and Montgomery to keep them honest.”
Q: Speaking of Gibbs and Montgomery, how important will the run game be in this matchup?
Coach Todd: “The run game is critical. Gibbs gives us that explosive element, and Montgomery brings the power. If we can establish the run early, it’ll open up so much for us, especially in the play-action game where Goff is so effective. We’ve worked on getting our guys to the second level, and if we can do that, I think we can control the tempo of this game.”
Q: How do you feel coming off the bye week? Is the team in the right place mentally and physically for this stretch of the season?
Coach Todd: “The bye came at a perfect time. It allowed some of our guys to heal up and gave us a chance to really assess where we’re at. I feel great about where we are as a team. The energy in practice has been high, and I think we’re ready to hit the ground running in this second half of the season. We know what’s at stake, and I believe this team is locked in and focused.”
As the Lions head into this crucial matchup, the stakes are high, but the preparation has been thorough. With a solid game plan in place, the Lions are ready to take on the Steelers and continue their push for the postseason.
