Detroit Lions predictions 2017: Week 8 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
By Zac Snyder
The Detroit Jock City writers make their predictions for the Detroit Lions’ week eight home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Each week, the Detroit Jock City staff will make their picks for that week’s Detroit Lions game with a quick take on the matchup and a final score.
This week sees the Pittsburgh Steelers coming to Ford Field with the eyes of the nation watching on Sunday Night Football. The Lions were beat up and weary heading into their bye week but will we see a rested and rejuvenated team after a week of rest? Here is what the DJC staff sees for this week’s game against the Steelers.
Mike Rizzo (4-2) – The Lions are coming off two straight losses. The Steelers on the other hand have won two straight. I think the Steelers make it three straight tonight. The Lions offense will have a tough time against the Steelers. I see a low scoring game but a Steelers victory. Steelers 16, Lions 9
Bruce Walker (3-3) – The Detroit Lions appear to be a little healthier after their bye. My concern is that they were relatively healthy a few short weeks ago when they had difficulty stopping the Carolina Panthers talented receivers. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Lions only have to stop Antonio Brown, who happens to be the top receiver in the NFL at this moment. By a lot. The Steelers have only allowed 12.6 points in their five wins and 26.5 and their two losses. The Lions have had difficulty in protecting Matthew Stafford and as a result, are not achieving consistent productivity from their offense. The Lions really need to win this game but I am not optimistic that they have been able to resolve the issues that have lead to the past two losses. Steelers 21, Lions 17
Jack Ozark (3-3) – Playing after a bye can mean one of two things, either the team is refreshed and will look that way, or they are going to get off to a slow start. I think Lions will come out on Sunday night on fire. Since it’s a nationally televised game, they have to show the rest of the fanbases that they are for real. I think the Lions finally eclipse the 100 yard game, ending that embarrassing streak, and make people start to question of Ben Roethlisberger is falling off at his old age. Lions 23, Steelers 17
Zac Snyder (3-3) – The Lions were never as good as some thought they were early in the season but they are also probably not as bad as they looked in the last couple weeks before the bye week. With a week to prepare, the Lions coaching staff either comes out with a killer game plan or, well, I’d rather not think about that. Lions 22, Steelers 20
Matt Snyder (3-3) – After a hot start the Lions have cooled considerably and now face a near must-win situation if they hope to stay within shouting distance in the division race. It’s not going to be an easy one for the Lions against the 5-2 Steelers on Sunday night. Pittsburgh has been playing their best football lately and could prove to be too much for the Lions in prime time. Steelers 24, Lions 21
Zack Caldwell (2-4) – After the last two losses by the Detroit Lions, I am feeling pretty pessimistic after such a promising start. While I do not believe the Lions are a bad football team, I am not sure they are above average at this point. The Steelers offense is rolling, and Le’Veon Bell is the best running back in football. With Golden Tate questionable, the Lions lose their most consistent pass catcher. I want to believe Jim Bob Cooter has come up with a better offensive game plan, but I have my doubts. Pittsburgh will attack Matthew Stafford and cause multiple turnovers. Steelers 27, Lions 17
Colton Wesley (2-4) – The Lions face a crucial out of conference game with the Steelers this week, coming off the bye at 3-3. The bye week likely helped Matthew Stafford and the line heal up, so hopefully, the Lions’ pass protection problems will begin to disappear. The Steelers bring a lot of offensive weapons to the table, and the Lions have struggled against feature backs and Darius Slay will have a tough matchup with Antonio Brown. Still, I think the extra week and home field advantage gives the Lions the edge. Lions 24, Steelers 20
Matt Bosko (2-4) – Logic dictates that the Lions have no chance against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have been red-hot after embarrassing themselves against the Jacksonville Jaguars weeks ago. The NFL always seems to feature a game that defies logic. Last week, the Falcons were supposed to bury the Patriots, whose defense disappeared this season. What happened? The Patriots won in convincing fashion, of course. By shutting down the Falcons dynamic offense, of course. This Lions game reeks of a logic-defying win. Stafford can’t be protected, the offense is stagnant, the defense cannot stop anybody, and Golladay and Tate may not play. Somehow, the Lions get it together in front of a raucous Ford Field crowd and spin the NFL on its head. Lions 34, Steelers 20
Ash Thompson (1-5) – The Lions seem to have recovered most of their injured players. Glover Quin coming out of the concussion protocol gives the defense a chance. Big Ben and Antonio Brown will be a tough task unless the pass rush turns around. On offense the Lions have no left tackle while facing a top tier pass rush. Dwayne Washington makes his return though, which could add some pop to the run game. I do not think the offense is healthy enough to get it done. Steelers 21, Lions 18
Next: Lions week 8 injury report
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