Pittsburgh Review

DETROIT - The results have not been what the Steelers would have liked in an 0-3 preseason, but the process is one they must trust. Whether that trust is justified will be revealed once the ball is kicked off on Sept. 8 in Atlanta.

Saturday's 24-17 loss to the Detroit Lions in the preseason finale was different from previous losses to Houston and Buffalo. In those games, the first-team offense struggled, failing on third downs and not producing a single point whether led by Russell Wilson or Justin Fields.

In this game, both quarterbacks produced touchdowns against Detroit's backups with relative ease. Wilson connected with George Pickens for a 32-yard gain on third-and-11 on the opening possession.

"I thought we did a really good job moving the ball," said Wilson. "I thought George did a good job. Obviously on that third-and-11 conversion, he ran a great route. We had great protection. It was a great team effort."

Head coach Mike Tomlin pulled Wilson after a 31-yard run by Cordarrelle Patterson scored for the Steelers, turning the offense over to Fields. After a strip-sack by Nick Herbig, Fields quickly maneuvered for another score, highlighted by a 22-yard pass to tight end MyCole Pruitt.

Tomlin will decide who starts at quarterback in Atlanta by next week. Whomever it is – with Wilson remaining in "pole position" – will be well-positioned to succeed.

Right tackle Broderick Jones held up well against Detroit's Wide-9 pass rush scheme after struggling against Buffalo last week.

"The biggest thing for me is really just getting off the ball at the snap," Jones said.

Herbig continued his strong performance with two more sacks, including a strip-sack of Hendon Hooker.

"I'm just trying to have fun out there because you don't know when your last game is going to be," Herbig said.

John Rhys Plumlee made an unusual play by returning a kickoff and then playing quarterback on the same series.

"I've always been a big believer that you prepare for opportunity," Plumlee said.

Tomlin chose not to use Patterson as a kick returner in this preseason but noted his effectiveness as both a returner and running back following his touchdown run.

The Steelers took a look at rookie Mason McCormick at center due to Nate Herbig's season-ending shoulder injury.

"It was good to be able to get some reps out there," McCormick said.

Rookie Beanie Bishop and veteran Thomas Graham Jr. are competing for the No. 1 nickel corner spot, with Graham playing more extensively in this game due to Bishop's limited availability earlier in camp.

"You've got to earn opportunity," Tomlin said of Bishop's situation.

The coaching staff must cut the roster to 53 players by Tuesday afternoon but may make additional moves based on other teams' cuts. The goal remains assembling a roster capable of securing victory in Week 1 against Atlanta.