4 Takeaways From Lions' Preseason Loss: Backup QB Help Wanted

Here are several key takeaways from the Detroit Lions' preseason loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Detroit Lions' preseason finale was not exactly what the coaching staff or roster was looking for. 

Following a last-second victory over the Colts last weekend, Detroit's offense did not score any points in the first half against the Steelers Sunday. 

Mitchell Trubisky, who made a career out of torching the Lions during his run with the Chicago Bears, finished the first half 15-of-19 for 160 yards and one touchdown. He recorded a 119.3 passer rating. 

The Lions' defensive starters were able to hold their own, as they held the Steelers' likely starting quarterback to six-of-nine passing for 55 yards and an 83.1 passer rating. He was able to have slightly more success against Detroit's reserves. 

Here are four takeaways from the loss. 

Key contributors rest against Steelers

Detroit was not taking any chances with those the roster could ill-afford to lose, heading into the regular season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles in a couple of weeks. 

It was quite the wise decision for D'Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, Michael Brockers and Alim McNeill to sit out and not play a single snap against the Steelers. 

Running backs are prone to hit after hit. So, not subjecting the top of the depth chart at the position to such harm will serve the team well.  

As an added benefit, the team got an additional look at both Jermar Jefferson and Justin Jackson, both of whom performed admirably on the road. 

Lions' starting defensive line has stepped up 

Both Aidan Hutchinson and Charles Harris forced the Steelers' offensive line into taking holding penalties on the same drive.

As a result, the Steelers were forced to settle for a field goal early in the contest.  

The unit has been praised by the coaching staff as clearly demonstrating weekly in practice and during games that it is progressing at a positive rate. 

If both continue to thrive and get better weekly, Detroit's defense has the potential of meeting its goals early in the 2022 season. 

Austin Bryant continued his stellar training camp, as he was able to block a Steelers field-goal attempt to keep the game at 16-3 in the third quarter. It is safe to say the young defensive lineman could be poised for a true breakout campaign in 2022. 

© Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Backup quarterbacks flop: Help wanted at quarterback 

If the Lions are honest with themselves, the failed backup quarterback experiment should come to an immediate end. 

Both Tim Boyle and David Blough have not earned a spot on this roster. 

While they are both quality individuals, they both have not done enough to warrant taking up a roster spot. 

At one point in the game, Boyle had more batted balls and interceptions combined than actual completions. 

His first-half interception was such a poor decision that he was immediately yanked by Dan Campbell afterward. 

Boyle went 5-of-15 for 64 yards and an interception. A 19.9 quarterback rating was certainly not what the veteran signal-caller needed to put on the film this week. 

While Blough is a typical "feel-good" story, the team can ill-afford to be blinded by a player who has likely reached his ceiling as a signal-caller. 

© Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Check that, Tim Boyle has *more* batted/intercepted passes (5) than completions (4) https://t.co/m564lYALZY

— kyle meinke (@kmeinke) August 28, 2022

Running backs making decision very tough for coaching staff

Going into the game, the coaching staff asked the players to continue to make their decisions tremendously difficult. 

Heading into roster cutdowns the next couple of days, the running backs unit will force Campbell and the coaching staff to meet.  

One of the toughest decisions facing the front office and coaching staff is how many running backs to carry on the roster. 

Jefferson had a solid gain of 27 yards on a third-and-long play, while Jackson was steady on returns and was a rare bright spot on what was otherwise an abysmal day for the offense. 

Even Craig Reynolds got in on the action in the fourth quarter, as he ran quickly though a hole and was a factor in the Lions' early fourth-quarter drive.