The Detroit Lions are going to play starters Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, with one exception.
After two tough practices against the Indianapolis Colts, it wasn’t to surpirising the Detroit Lions (and the Colt as well) rested starters in the second preseason game. The plan for the preseason finale Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the plan would seem to be similar to the first preseason game when the starters got light action.
Head coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media on Monday, and he confirmed starters will play against the Steelers. More than they did in the preason opener too.
As Campbell reminded, Jared Goff was not going to play in the preseason opener until he demanded to play with the starting offensive line. Campbell said he won’t be talked out of sitting his starting quarterback in the preseason finale.
Important position battle for Detroit Lions gets focus in preseason finale
Campbell confirmed the battle to be the Lions’ No. 2 quarterback is “neck and neck”, and it sounds like Tim Boyle will start Sunday over David Blough. Blough started the second preseason game against the Colts.
The Lions have to figure out who will be Goff’s backup, and it’s possible only one of Boyle or Blough makes the 53-man roster. It’s also possible someone becomes available as other teams make cuts, and they become the No. 2 guy. But for the moment, getting as long a look as possible at Boyle and Blough is a priority in the last preseason game.
Not that anything either Boyle or Blough does against the Steelers will change the narrative that the Lions’ are in deep trouble if Goff misses time this season.
But someone has to win the backup battle. While Goff might benefit from playing a series or two against a tough Pittsburgh starting defense, that would be a series or two taken away from, in this case it looks like it’ll be Boyle at the beginning of the game.
The inherent risk of injury to Goff if he plays is also a overriding factor. No one wants to see Boyle or Blough have to start a regular season game, let alone right away Week 1 because Goff was injured in the final meaningless game.
So Goff will sit against the Steelers while other Lions’ starters play a half. As it should be, with the backup quarterback battle to settle and mostly only downside if he plays.