The NFL preseason finale for the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers is the final tune-up for a pair of teams looking to improve their NFL standings positions from last year.
NFL Performance Recap
They meet at 4:30 p.m. ET on Sunday at the newly named Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, and the game is on CBS. The Lions are this year’s Hard Knocks team, appearing on HBO, and have been the talk of most football scenes.
Lions Performance Recap
The Detroit Lions beat the Indianapolis Colts 27-26 to even their preseason record at 1-1-0. Their other result was a four-point loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
David Blough and Tim Boyle each had a touchdown pass to Tom Kennedy, while Godwin Igwebuike accounted for the winning touchdown.
Steelers Performance Recap
The Steelers won last week, 16-15, against the Jacksonville Jaguars to improve to 2-0-0, also beating the Seattle Seahawks, 32-25. Benny Snell Jr. caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from first-round pick Kenny Pickett against Jacksonville.
With 1:58 left, Tyler Snead scored on a 1-yard touchdown pass from Mason Rudolph to win the game. Nick Sciba converted a field goal on the possession before that.
Lions vs. Steelers Betting Analysis
If you want to place a bet on a Steelers vs. Lions petting prediction, a look at the betting odds is important.
NFL betting odds show the Steelers are 4.5-point favorites with an over/under of 38.5 points, which has changed from the opening of Steelers -3 and 39.5.
Both of those odds are -110. The Steelers are -200 on the moneyline, while the Lions are at +170.
Detroit Lions
NFL team stats show the Lions are above average running the football. They average 137.5 rushing yards per game, 35 yards better than the league average.
Defense and Offense
In total, they average 362.5 yards of offense per game, also above average. Defensively they’ve been terrific, holding teams to 299 yards per game, down from the league average of 309.
Allowing 99 rushing yards and 200 passing yards per contest are above the league average as well. Head coach Dan Campbell said to expect the starters – except for QB Jared Goff – to play about a half.
D’Andre Swift Scrimmage Yards
That means D’Andre Swift, who has a goal set of 1,000 scrimmage yards, T.J. Hockenson, and new receiver DJ Chark getting reps.
It’s also a good chance to see first-round pick Aidan Hutchinson for the common fan and, hopefully, Jeff Okudah, who has been battered by NFL injuries since being selected third overall in 2020.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers’ offense has also performed admirably, averaging 344 yards of total offense and 239.5 yards through the air, up 22 yards from the league average.
They’ve also run for 104.5 yards per game. Having an above-average offense is an encouraging sign in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era. Defensively, however, Pittsburgh has not looked great.
The Steel Curtain has a gaping hole, allowing opponents to average 353 yards of offense, including 128 on the ground and 225 through the air, which are both below league-average defensive ranks.
Biggest Questions for the Steelers
The biggest question mark for the Steelers is what to do at quarterback, and it seems like that news has been cleared up this week.
They brought in Mitchell Trubisky as a free agent and then drafted Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett 20th overall in the draft.
That left a strong competition between the 24-year-old rookie vet and Mason Rudolph, a holdover backup selected in the third round in 2018 by Pittsburgh.
It is reportedly Trubisky’s job to lose, and Rudolph is a likely trade candidate, perhaps to the Lions.
Updates
Pittsburgh Steelers has lost three players to the Injured Reserve already in wide receiver Anthony Miller, safety Karl Joseph and running back Jeremy McNichols. Chase Claypool is listed as probable with a shoulder injury he has been battling.
The Lions have a lengthy injury list with four out indefinitely, including running back Jamaal Williams, defensive end Josh Paschal, linebacker Romeo Okwara and fullback Jason Cabinda. Hometown tight end Devin Funchess and wide receiver Quintez Cephus are both questionable, while cornerback Jerry Jacobs is doubtful.
Lions vs. Steelers Betting Preview
Making NFL predictions is difficult at times, especially in the preseason. The underdog is 4-1 against the spread in the last five meetings between the Lions and Steelers. The under is 4-0 in the last four games the Steelers have hosted, too.
Steelers’ Defense
While the Steelers’ defense has had some troubles, they get likely the worst offense they’ve seen during the preseason, especially if Goff sits.
Meanwhile, they’ve been strong about getting reps for each of their quarterbacks to settle the depth chart. Expect Trubisky and Pickett to each get snaps in the final tune-up.
Lions vs. Steelers Betting Prediction
As for our Steelers vs. Lions betting prediction, we’re taking the Steelers to cover the 4.5 points in what should be a better-paced game with starters playing.
But if Campbell indeed sits Goff, that handicaps the Lions’ offense with Blough and Boyle splitting reps versus two (or even three) potential starting-caliber QBs on the other side.
If you want to bet on our Steelers vs. Lions betting prediction, go to your favorite sportsbook, select the game and figure out how much you want to wager, though only gamble what you can afford to lose.
Who to Bet On?
To bet against the spread, the Steelers need to win by five or more points to cover while the Lions must lose by four points or less, or win outright, to cover -5.
The teams must combine for 39 points or more for the over to hit, while they must score 38 or less for the under to hit.
NFL Pick: Steelers -5 (-110)
If you love sports and want more sports betting information follow us as @InsidersBetDig on Twitter and sign up to our mailing list for free betting picks.