Steelers defeat Detroit

I am happy and puzzled at the same time with the Steelers "win" over Detroit. 28 to 20? This is the Lions we were playing isn't it?

I know this is the NFL but the Steelers are the defending Champions with what was the most dominating defense know to mankind. Sunday was another poor showing or that in my opinion.

Yes the 7 sacks were awesome. 3 by James Harrison! But really the Lions did way too much against the Steelers D. The Lions were 11 for 18 on 3rd down and rushed the ball for a 4.4 yard per carry average. I'm not happy with those numbers. This also gave the Lions 69 offensive plays and the Lions won the time of possession battle which is not good for a team you should put away and not give them any reason to think they can win.

This was an example of playing down to the competition. And again, for the millionth time, I question Bruce Arians and his idea of balance. All we hear from Ben and Bruce is how the Steelers are not going to be the run, run team of Steelers past but a balanced team. Oh is that so?

So you are playing a team that has won 1 game in its last 20 games. They enter the game near the bottom of every category in defense. There is no reason not to set up a balance of running and passing. Since they can't stop either!

So you run 54 plays against then and you throw the ball 30 times? You run your work horse 15 times? He was running at a 5.1 yard per carry clip, what the heck is Arians seeing? The Lions were getting way to many chances why didn't you keep the Lions offense off the field?

Yes Ben had a very nice 23 for 30 day for 277 yards and 3 TD's. You could have still had these types of numbers and been able to keep the ball more. And his new PICK 6 habit has to stop! That made the score closer than need be.

Both teams shot themselves in the foot with penalties and an INT.

Overall it was a win. Thankfully it was the Lions or this would have been a loss. Daunte Culpepper also replaced Stafford for the day and was good and bad so that didn't help the Lions either.

I did love the balance Ben had with his receivers. All of them had a nice afternoon (with the exception of some drops). Mike Wallace is quickly becoming a cult hero for me.

Stefan Logan continues to have a nice kick return season.

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Rashard Mendenhall I thought was sharp again. His one TD and 27 yarder looked really nice. Although he could have had a monster day if he was given a few more carries.

The Steelers did well in the Red Zone at least.

Their first drive after getting behind 3 to 0 was a nice 6 play 78 yard commanding drive. Ben threw 3 passes of 14, 9 and 21 yards and Mendenhall had his 27 yard burst mixed in there. Rashard also scored his TD on a 7 yard run. Mendenhall had one of the receptions on that drive also. But Detroit weaseled another field goal to end the 1st quarter 7 to 6, one point behind the Steelers.

The Steelers answered with a 12 play 76 yard TD drive in the 2nd quarter. Actually they had to score twice as a Mendenhall TD was called back for holding. After what seemed to be a rare 3 and out for Detroit, the Steelers received a Lions punt and looked liked they were building another drive. It was then that Ben gave Detroit hope with his PICK 6. It was 14 to 13 in a millisecond.

The Steelers did rebound with a nice 6 play 52 yard TD drive that featured some no huddle calls. This was all set up by Logan's 47 yard return. I am not sure why you need a no huddle offense against the Lions but Ben and Arians seemed to love the no huddle. Especially Ben, because I believe he calls the plays in those situations.

The Lions opened the 3rd quarter with an endless drive that featured them getting 3 3rd down conversions in a row! Fortunately it ended with a missed field goal. The Steelers responded with a 4 play 61 yard TD drive capped off with a 47 yard TD pass to Mike Wallace, who made a nice adjustment on the ball. Steelers 28 to 13.

The Lions came back with another long drive the featured 3 3rd down conversions and ended thankfully with an INT by Pittsburgh's Ryan Clark. Actually Culpepper coughed up the ball before that but Detroit recovered the ball.

The 4th quarter showcased the best Lions drive, I thought of the day. 7 plays 82 yards, some no huddle and a 25 yard TD pass from Culpepper to Dennis Northcutt and the extra point to make it 28 - to Pittsburgh.

As the game was closing the Lions made 1 more push to tie the game and were getting too close for comfort. Dick LeBeau had enough and seemed to "talk" to the boys and tell them "that this was not going to happen!" It was 1st and 10 at the Steelers 21 and the pep talk seemed to work as Woodley and Gay dropped Culpepper. With 2nd and 16 now at the Steelers 27 and the Lions tried to no huddle the Steelers and William Gay dropped Culpepper again!

Back to the Pittsburgh 45 they call a timeout. Next play Lawrence Timmons drops Culpepper! A fitting end to a long day for the defense.

Next up the garbage Browns. Okay it is a Divisional game so that seems to nullify some of the stench but really!

Derek Anderson was 2 for 17 in Sunday's win over Buffa-woe. Jamaal Lewis did go 31 carries for 117 yards though.  More on this battle coming up this week.

By: Andy Natalie
ProFootball-fans.com Pittsburgh Steelers Correspondent