Detroit Lions under pressure as key players must rise against Steelers
The Detroit Lions are gearing up for a formidable showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday. Known for their physical style and disciplined approach, Mike Tomlin’s Steelers present a significant challenge for Detroit. To secure a crucial Week 16 victory, the Lions must minimize mental errors and elevate their performance. The onus falls heavily on several key players who have struggled in recent outings.
Jake Bates faces the spotlight
In tightly contested matchups, special teams can often tip the scales. This fact puts a spotlight on kicker Jake Bates as the Lions prepare for their clash with the Steelers. Overall, Bates has had a commendable season, successfully converting 21 of 27 field goals and 49 of 51 extra-point attempts. He even tied a franchise record with a remarkable 59-yard field goal against the New York Giants earlier this season.
However, Bates has encountered challenges in recent weeks, missing six kicks thus far, including a crucial 43-yard attempt in last week’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams. While he doesn’t need to be perfect, reliability is essential. A solid performance could prove pivotal in determining whether the Lions leave Ford Field with a win or let another chance slip away.
D.J. Reed under scrutiny
Cornerback D.J. Reed finds himself under scrutiny as he and his partner, Amik Robertson, have allowed the highest yardage among all cornerbacks since Week 12. Robertson leads the league with 382 yards surrendered, while Reed follows closely behind with 302 yards. In Week 14 against the Cowboys, Reed faced a tough outing as receiver CeeDee Lamb caught all five passes thrown his way. Moreover, he allowed three receptions on four targets against Rams receiver Puka Nacua, who racked up 79 yards with Reed in coverage.
Reed’s performance has not matched the expectations of a No. 1 cornerback, a role he was brought in to fulfill during the offseason. This week, he faces another daunting task as he lines up against Steelers’ standout receiver D.K. Metcalf. Metcalf has emerged as quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ primary target this season, leading Pittsburgh with 808 receiving yards and six touchdowns. The Lions desperately need Reed to bounce back and elevate his game in this critical matchup.
Alim McNeill’s path to redemption
Defensive lineman Alim McNeill has faced his own set of challenges since returning from a torn ACL suffered last December. In his eight games back, he has recorded 12 tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble. However, his overall performance has not been up to par, as evidenced by his 51.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, placing him 90th out of 129 qualified interior defensive linemen. This grade starkly contrasts with his impressive 79.6 from the previous season.
McNeill has also struggled in run defense, earning a 45.0 grade compared to a solid 64.5 last year. Despite these setbacks, Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard remains confident in McNeill’s potential. “Listen, I have all the faith in the world in Alim,” Sheppard stated this week. “He’s done good things for us, but it is time for him to kind of kick in as far as being that impactful three technique that we all know he can be.” With the Steelers on the horizon, Sheppard and the Lions will be looking for a significant turnaround from McNeill.
As the Detroit Lions prepare for their critical matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the performance of Jake Bates, D.J. Reed, and Alim McNeill will be closely watched. Each player has the opportunity to turn their season around and contribute to a much-needed Lions victory.
