Pittsburgh Review

It lasted just short of three hours and had something for everyone. Whether one wanted to feel optimistic, pessimistic, encouraged, or discouraged, it was all there. The 24-17 final score favoring the Detroit Lions did not count in the standings as it was still part of the preseason.

The optimists had reasons to be pleased. The Steelers' first-team offense resembled the unit that had been having good practices at Saint Vincent College. Russell Wilson quarterbacked the offense for five plays covering 60 yards, ending with a 31-yard touchdown run by Cordarrelle Patterson. This included a third-and-11 conversion with a 32-yard pass to George Pickens.

"We just needed results that are indicative of how we've worked," said Coach Mike Tomlin.

Patterson has emerged as an interesting piece on the board for Arthur Smith to utilize against opposing defenses. Wearing jersey No. 84 since coming off the non-football injury list (hamstring), Patterson returned kicks and proved effective when handed the ball.

On defense, even without T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, or Cam Heyward in the lineup, Nick Herbig and Keeanu Benton showed promise. Herbig recorded a sack during three successive plays within the Lions' first offensive possession, followed by Benton and DeMarvin Leal sharing another sack when they collapsed the pocket from inside. Herbig then executed a strip-sack recovered by Dean Lowry at Detroit's 35-yard line.

"We wanted to get our starters some in-stadium rhythm that was kind of reflective of some of the things that we've seen in practice," said Tomlin. "We were able to do that."

For pessimists, Coach Dan Campbell chose not to play 44 players on Saturday, including many recognizable names from the Lions roster. This fact casts doubt on what exactly the Steelers accomplished against lesser competition.

Despite their efforts, Pittsburgh finished 0-3 this preseason—their first winless preseason since 2013 and fifth sub-.500 preseason under Tomlin's tenure.

An NFL regular season is a test over 17 games in 18 weeks where league dynamics can change every four weeks or so. Good teams can become bad and weak teams strong; more than one thing can be true simultaneously.

Tomlin will announce his starting quarterback later this week after three days of internal work sessions with Russell Wilson being expected as a likely choice.

"We'll make a decision at the end of our work week this upcoming week," said Tomlin.

Wilson expressed confidence after those five plays on Saturday: "I thought we did a really good job as a collective effort on offense."

The defense also displayed strength by taking away possession early in its initial drive and forcing a three-and-out subsequently.

"So (we're) comfortable with the agenda component of it," added Tomlin about wrapping up preseason activities despite not securing victory.

As wins and losses start counting from now on, things are set to change beginning Sept. 8 in Atlanta.

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