The Pittsburgh Steelers’ first team started the game with momentum. The Steelers quickly took a 14-0 lead over the Detroit Lions with touchdown drives from Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Wilson only played one drive, suggesting that the competition for quarterbacks never really played a role. Fields played three drives.
The defense also gave the Lions a hard time with two sacks and a forced fumble by Nick Herbig and a sack by Keeanu Benton in three plays on the opening drive.
The Lions tied the game after Kyle Allen sacked a fumble that freed the ball up the short field for Hendon Hooker and the Detroit Lions.
First half statistics below.
BEGINNING OF THE 2ND HALF
1st and 10, Zonovan Knight from left tackle for 3 yards. 2nd and 7, Hooker complete to Zylstra for 12 yards.
1st and 10, Hooker incomplete deep. 2nd and 10, Knight from right tackle for 3 yards. 3rd and 7, Hooker fought through for 8 yards.
1st and 10, Knight from right tackle for 1 yard. 2nd and 9, Hooker fumbled and recovered the ball at the end of a 10-yard run.
1st and 10, Hooker complete to Kennedy for a loss of one point, Zyon Gilbert makes the tackle. 2nd and 11, Hooker complete to Zylstra for 8 yards. 3rd and 3, Knight through the middle for 5 yards.
1st and 10 in the red zone, Knight 2 yards from left tackle. 2nd and 8, Hooker fought his way 7 yards. 3rd and 1, Knight is stopped by Mark Robinson, no gain. A false start makes it 4th and 6, which will probably force the field goal. Field goal was not good. Turnover on downs.
1st and 10, LaMical Perine from left tackle for 2 yards. 2nd and 8, Perine stops the ball at right end for no gain. 3rd and 8, Kyle Allen completes to Dez Fitzpatrick for 59 yards on a catch and run. Defensive pass interference declined.
1st and 10, Aaron Shampklin was beaten to the rim and could only gain one point. 2nd and 9, Allen’s left long attempt incomplete but illegal use of hands against Detroit.
1st and 10, Shampklin through the middle for no gain. 2nd and 10, Shampklin from right tackle for a gain of 5. 3rd and 5, Allen misses Connor Heyward in the flats. Matthew Wright’s field goal is good from 26 yards. 17-14 Steelers.
There was a holding penalty on the kickoff for the returning team. They start at their own 19.
1st and 10, Jefferson 3 yards from left tackle. 2nd and 7, Cameron Sutton intercepted the pass and punted the ball in excitement. Sutton was released by the Lions this offseason.
