NFL

Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions

· National Football League
0-3, 0-1 Away
Final
17 - 24
2-1, 1-0 Home

Russell Wilson, Justin Fields lead TD drives for Steelers in 24-17 loss to Lions in preseason finale

Russell Wilson and Justin Fields led touchdown drives for the Steelers, who lost 24-17 to the Detroit Lions on Saturday in the preseason finale for both teams.

Jermar Jefferson rushed for two touchdowns for the Lions, including a go-ahead, 7-yard run in the fourth quarter.

“It didn’t start pretty, but we finished strong,” Detroit coach Dan Campbell said.

Tomlin has said repeatedly that Wilson is in the “pole position” for the starting job, and the 35-year-old veteran didn't do anything in Detroit that would suggest he won't take the first snap when the season kicks off in two weeks. But Tomlin wouldn't budge.

“We’ll make a decision at the end of our work week,” he said.

Wilson completed both of his pass attempts, including a 32-yard toss to George Pickens. Two plays later, Cordarrelle Patterson scored on a 31-yard, high-stepping run to cap the game-opening possession.

Wilson spent the rest of the game on the sideline while Fields was given three drives to show what he could do. His performance was uneven.

Fields converted a third down with a run and threw a 22-yard pass to MyCole Pruitt on consecutive plays, setting up La’Mical Perine's 1-yard touchdown run.

In the previous two preseason games, neither Wilson nor Fields led Pittsburgh to a touchdown.

“We’ve had a really great training camp and OTAs and we finally put it on the field,” Wilson said.

Fields' second possession ended when he was looking to the right in the shotgun formation as the ball was snapped. He recovered the fumble but was sacked. His third possession ended when he took another sack.

Fields finished 3 of 4 for 40 yards and ran twice for 4 yards.

The Steelers chose to start over at quarterback this season after Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph and Mitchell Trubisky each got starts for a team that went 10-7 and lost to Buffalo in an AFC wild-card game.

Just days apart in March, Pittsburgh signed Wilson after he was released by Denver and acquired Fields in a trade with Chicago.

The defending NFC North champion Lions, meanwhile, didn't put quarterback Jared Goff or any other key players on the field in the hopes of keeping them healthy for a season with high expectations. After the game, Campbell said All-Pro offensive tackle Penei Sewell is “good” after he left a practice earlier in the week with a foot injury.

Hendon Hooker started at quarterback and after completing his first two passes, he was sacked on three straight snaps. He played extensively, giving him much-needed experience after he missed his rookie year with a knee injury.

“Ups and downs, but ultimately, he got better and he needed that,” Campbell said.

Hooker helped the Lions score touchdowns on their last two drives in the first half.

He had a 2-yard touchdown pass to Jake Funk, then made plays with his arms and legs to help set up Jefferson's first touchdown run.

Hooker was 12 of 20 for 114 yards with a touchdown and threw an interception to former Detroit defensive back Cam Sutton, who got some work in before serving his eight-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.

UP NEXT

Detroit opens the season at home on Sept. 8 with a Sunday night matchup against Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams, nearly eight months after the Lions beat the Rams for their first playoff win in 32 years.

The Steelers open their season at Atlanta on Sept. 8.

How can I watch Steelers vs. Lions?

  • TV Channel: Steelers at Lions 2021-22 NFL, week 4 is broadcasted nationally on NFL Net.
  • Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
    In Canada, viewers can watch Steelers vs. Lions on DAZN.

Scoring Summary

PIT TD 1st Period 12:47 Cordarrelle Patterson 31 Yd Run (Chris Boswell Kick)
PIT TD 1st Period 6:05 La'Mical Perine 1 Yd Run (Chris Boswell Kick)
DET TD 2nd Period 2:33 Jake Funk 2 Yd pass from Hendon Hooker (Jake Bates Kick)
DET TD 2nd Period 0:25 Jermar Jefferson 1 Yd Run (Jake Bates Kick)
PIT FG 3rd Period 3:20 Matthew Wright 26 Yd Field Goal
DET TD 4th Period 12:39 Jermar Jefferson 7 Yd Run (Jake Bates Kick)
DET FG 4th Period 5:22 Jake Bates 46 Yd Field Goal

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/pit.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originPIT https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/det.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originDET
11 1st Downs 28
5 Passing 1st downs 12
4 Rushing 1st downs 15
2 1st downs from penalties 1
3-10 3rd down efficiency 6-12
0-0 4th down efficiency 0-0
42 Total Plays 74
219 Total Yards 361
5.2 Yards per Play 4.9
11 Total Drives 11
141 Passing 174
11/15 Comp/Att 18/28
7.8 Yards per pass 5.3
0 Interceptions thrown 1
3-25 Sacks-Yards Lost 5-29
78 Rushing 187
24 Rushing Attempts 41
3.3 Yards per rush 4.6
1-2 Red Zone (Made-Att) 3-4
7-54 Penalties 10-45
1 Turnovers 2
1 Fumbles lost 1
0 Interceptions thrown 1
0 Defensive / Special Teams TDs 0
24:29 Possession 35:31

Game Information

Ford Field

Location: Detroit, MI
Attendance: 51,976 · Capacity:

2024 AFC North Standings

TEAM W L PCT T PF PA
Pittsburgh 10 5 .667 0 353 299
Baltimore 10 5 .667 0 452 349
Cincinnati 7 8 .467 0 423 393
Cleveland 3 12 .200 0 245 380

2024 NFC North Standings

TEAM W L PCT T PF PA
Detroit 13 2 .867 0 493 299
Minnesota 13 2 .867 0 396 276
Green Bay 11 4 .733 0 413 287
Chicago 4 11 .267 0 283 342
Full Standings

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