Early look at the Detroit Lions 2017 opponents: Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarterbacks

Ben Roethlisberger is one of the NFL’s best Quarterbacks. If the Steelers need him to put up 500 yards passing to win a game he can do that. If they need him to be good with handing the ball off 45 times to win a game, he can do that too. He has missed time in each of the last two seasons, and this is his age 35 season. It would not be out of line to ask the question of whether Roethlisberger is still the man that Steelers fans are used to having under center. Quarterback play will not be a problem for the Steelers in week eight if Big Ben is active.

Landry Jones has been holding down the fort for the last couple seasons while Roethlisberger was missing time. He is one of those backups that have the advantage of playing a similar style of QB to the starter, though not as well. The team can simply continue playing its game plan, without drastic alteration. His career statistics are those of a decent backup. He has put up 60.2% completions, more touchdowns than interceptions, but by a narrow margin. They do not see Jones as the heir apparent, however, they drafted Josh Dobbs in the fourth round of the draft this season. Dobbs lacks the arm talent of those in front of him but is an incredibly intelligent rookie.

Wide Receivers

Antonio Brown is the league’s best wide receiver right now. The relationship he has with Rothlisberger is one of the best quarterback-receiver duos in the history of the league. Either player would be diminished without the other. Brown is not the stereotype wide receiver.

Aside from that, the Steelers have a few questions that need answering. They have drafted Martavis Bryant, Sammie Coates, and now JuJu Smith-Schuster in an effort to find a number two. They have also brought in former highly drafted players like Justin Hunter and Darrius Heyward-Bey. Injuries, suspensions, and simple bad play have contributed to the Steelers failure.

Bryant is the best of the bunch and has scored a touchdown in 2/3 of the games he has played in. The downside is that he is always a single mistake away from missing extended time with drug related suspensions. Coates has been injured almost perpetually throughout his career. Hunter and Heyward-Bey are Steelers specifically because they were unable to succeed elsewhere. If all are available, the Steelers are incredibly dangerous. But it is not likely that all of those players are going to be available.

Tight End

Jesse James is the leading candidate to take the Steelers number one Tight End role. He is not a dangerous target outside the red zone or short yardage. He is the type of tight end that can make a reception if the defense focuses too much elsewhere. Xavier Grimble is likely the number two tight end and is in the same vein. The tight end spot should not be a major threat to the Lions revamped defense in week eight.