The Detroit Lions beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in their third and final game of the preseason on Saturday by a score of 24-17. It was an impressive come-from-behind victory for the Lions, who relied solely on the team’s bench while resting their starters for the grueling demands of the upcoming regular season.
What We Learned From the Detroit Lions Preseason
Relying On The Strength Of The Bench
For the second week in a row, the Lions’ bench played against some of the biggest names in the NFL, taking on the starters from the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers. Last week, the Chiefs started Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. On Saturday, the Steelers played Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Choosing to buck the trend of these other coaches, Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell focused on players who might be on the verge of making the roster. In front of a sold-out enthusiastic crowd at Ford Field, the Lions went with relative unknowns Jake Funk and Zonovan Knight instead of star running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
The first quarter featuring the Steelers’ starting lineup was ugly as the Steelers marched down the field on consecutive possessions to score 14 unanswered points, with both Wilson and Fields scoring touchdowns against the Lions. In return, the Lions struggled offensively and managed only a total of seven yards. Campbell started linebackers Ty Summers and Abraham Beauplan instead of Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes and offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal to carry the load instead of All-Pro offensive lineman Penei Sewell. But after that things began to slowly improve. Summers came up with a nice sack on Steelers’ quarterback Justin Fields for a loss of nine yards that resulted in a punt.
Hendon Hooker Gets His First NFL Start
After missing all of last season recuperating from surgery, the Lions’ second-year quarterback Hendon Hooker started his first NFL game. After a shakey first quarter, Hooker led two consecutive touchdown drives before the end of the half to tie the score 14-14. He finished the game passing 12 of 20 for 114 yards with one touchdown while adding another 93 yards from 10 rushes. Hooker did have an interception that was recovered by former Lion cornerback Cam Sutton who was released by the Lions last March after he was charged with domestic abuse. Sutton will serve an eight-game suspension once the season opens as a result of violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Hooker finishes the preseason with 300 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. After succumbing to five sacks this weekend, it’s obvious he needs a much quicker release when passing. However, Hooker adds an impressive ground game to the Lions offense with 138 yards rushing and one touchdown.
Lions Who Stood Out In The Preseason
In addition to the Lions’ very promising draft picks, Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw, and Sione Vaki, two undrafted free-agent rookies, should make the roster. Defensive lineman Isaac Ukwu was a standout with hard-hitting sacks on both New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock and a strip sack on Steelers’ Justin Fields. Ukwu ends the preseason with five tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble.
Another UFDA rookie who has proven he should make the roster is wide receiver and return specialist, Isaiah Williams. With 123 yards on 11 receptions, Williams has been an exciting and potentially explosive player to watch in the preseason. Undoubtedly, the most difficult decisions will be made in the wide receiver room, with an abundance of players vying to make the roster.
In addition to Williams, both Kaden Davis and Maurice Alexander looked impressive. Davis came up with an impressive 61-yard score from Nate Sudfeld against the Chiefs and finished the preseason with five receptions for 96 yards with one touchdown. Maurice Alexander also finished the preseason with a solid performance against the Steelers. Alexander made some big plays, including a big 4th quarter reception that drew a horse collar penalty. Alexander finished the preseason with seven receptions for 106 yards and showed his talent as a kickoff return specialist against the Steelers with another 55 yards.
Other Lions Players Who Stood Out
Second-year safety Brandon Joseph is another player who should make the roster with eight tackles, a forced fumble, and a costly interception. Based on his outstanding leg strength, Lions kicker Jake Bates should make the roster. However, he is still a work in progress, given his inconsistency on kickoff landing zone placement and missed field goals. In an overcrowded running back room filled with superior talent, two running back hopefuls stood out. Acquired from the Indianapolis Colts, third-year running back Jake Funk continued to show improvement from week to week, finishing the preseason with 62 yards on 22 carries. Jermar Jefferson had his best game against the Steelers, scoring two rushing touchdowns. Jefferson finishes the preseason with 38 yards on 14 carries.
Not every deserving player will make the roster at the beginning of the season, but the Lions front office should not risk losing these promising players to another NFL team. If they don’t make the roster there is still hope they will be added to the 16-man practice squad. Making the practice squad brings a salary of $400,000, and that’s not a bad consolation prize for performing well in the preseason.