After Further Review: More than meets the stat sheet

Nov 15, 2021 at 12:00 PM

Mike Prisuta

Steelers.com

The numbers stain the box score for a defense that prides itself on, among other things, stopping the run.

The Lions ran it 39 times at wet and miserable Heinz Field on Sunday afternoon.

They gained 229 yards on the ground.

They ran it into the end zone from distance twice.

And they averaged 5.9 yards per carry.

If there's a snapshot that sums up what played out and how, it would be rookie seventh-round pick Jermar Jefferson blasting it in from 28 yards away in the second quarter.

Or Godwin Igwebuike ripping it to the house from 42 yards out in the third quarter (it was his second carry of the game and fifth in an NFL career that commenced in 2018 and resumed this season).

Inexplicable.

But the thing about snapshots is they're not always representative of the big picture.

And the big picture from a hard-to-swallow, 16-16 tie against a winless team was the Lions' offense wound up performing as advertised.

1 / 164

2 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington (13) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

3 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

4 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

5 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

6 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers center Kendrick Green (53) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

7 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Chukwuma Okorafor (76) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

8 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

9 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

10 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

11 / 164

Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Jared Wickerham/Pittsburgh Steelers

12 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

13 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Derek Watt (44) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

14 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

15 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

16 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

17 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington (13) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

18 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (34) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

19 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

20 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

21 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

22 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

23 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron (85) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

24 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

25 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Chukwuma Okorafor (76) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

26 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

27 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Kevin Dotson (69) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

28 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

29 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

30 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Taco Charlton (98) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

31 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

32 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Chukwuma Okorafor (76), Pittsburgh Steelers guard Trai Turner (51), Pittsburgh Steelers center Kendrick Green (53), Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Kevin Dotson (69) and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

33 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

34 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Jared Wickerham/Pittsburgh Steelers

35 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

36 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (34) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Jared Wickerham/Pittsburgh Steelers

37 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III (54) and Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Derek Watt (44) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

38 / 164

The Pittsburgh Steelers during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

39 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers punter Pressley Harvin III (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

40 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

41 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

42 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

43 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

44 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

45 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joe Schobert (93), Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Taco Charlton (98) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

46 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

47 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (34) and \ps23]\during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

48 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

49 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

50 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

51 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

52 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

53 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Derek Watt (44) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

54 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

55 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

56 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

57 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

58 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

59 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

60 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

61 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

62 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) and ]Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

63 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

64 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

65 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

66 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

67 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

68 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (34) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

69 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

70 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joe Schobert (93) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

71 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

72 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Tre Norwood (21) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

73 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

74 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

75 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

76 / 164

Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

77 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

78 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

79 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

80 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

81 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

82 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Arron Anastasia/Pittsburgh Steelers

83 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

84 / 164

Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

85 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65), Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Zach Gentry (81), Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (14), Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18), Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington (13) and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Chukwuma Okorafor (76) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Arron Anastasia/Pittsburgh Steelers

86 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) and Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Coordinator Keith Butler during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Arron Anastasia/Pittsburgh Steelers

87 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

88 / 164

Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

89 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

90 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

91 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) ]during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

92 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

93 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

94 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers center J.C. Hassenauer (60) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

95 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

96 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

97 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton (20) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

98 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

99 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (34) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

100 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

101 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

102 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Isaiah Buggs (96) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joe Schobert (93) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

103 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

104 / 164

Jared Wickerham/Pittsburgh Steelers

105 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

106 / 164

Jared Wickerham/Pittsburgh Steelers

107 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Joe Haeg (71) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

108 / 164

Jared Wickerham/Pittsburgh Steelers

109 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joe Schobert (93) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

110 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Isaiah Buggs (96), Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55), Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Zach Banner (72) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Jared Wickerham/Pittsburgh Steelers

111 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Jared Wickerham/Pittsburgh Steelers

112 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Tre Norwood (21), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

113 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

114 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Zach Banner (72) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

115 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Jared Wickerham/Pittsburgh Steelers

116 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Jared Wickerham/Pittsburgh Steelers

117 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

118 / 164

The Pittsburgh Steelers during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Jared Wickerham/Pittsburgh Steelers

119 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

120 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

121 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers punter Pressley Harvin III (6) and Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

122 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

123 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

124 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

125 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

126 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

127 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Tre Norwood (21) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

128 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Taco Charlton (98) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

129 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Isaiah Buggs (96) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

130 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

131 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

132 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

133 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

134 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

135 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

136 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Arthur Maulet (35) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

137 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (34) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

138 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

139 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56), Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) and Pittsburgh Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz (46)during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

140 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

141 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

142 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

143 / 164

Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

144 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

145 / 164

Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Jared Wickerham/Pittsburgh Steelers

146 / 164

Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

147 / 164

Fans during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

148 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (34) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Jared Wickerham/Pittsburgh Steelers

149 / 164

The Pittsburgh Steelers during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

150 / 164

Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers

151 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

152 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

153 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (34) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joe Schobert (93) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

154 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (34) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Tre Norwood (21) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

155 / 164

The Pittsburgh Steelers during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

156 / 164

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) and Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Zach Gentry (81) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

157 / 164

\ps34]during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

158 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

159 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

160 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

161 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

162 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

163 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

164 / 164

Caitlyn Epes/Pittsburgh Steelers

Advertising

This Ad will close in 3

Yes, Mike Tomlin wasn't happy with the tackling.

And yes, schematics were a factor (the use of extra offensive linemen and shifting took some getting used to according to Joe Schobert and Cam Heyward).

But a funny thing happened after Igwebuike's unforeseen TD.

The Lions accomplished very little on offense.

Igwebuike scored for a 16-10 Lions' lead with 12:09 left in the third quarter.

The Lions managed four first downs over the final 27:09 of regulation, and one of those was a fourth-and-inches conversion that followed a running-into-the-kicker penalty against safety Miles Killebrew on a Lions' punt.

The defense forced a punt from the Lions' 13-yard line early in the fourth quarter after a three-play series that lost 5 yards. The Steelers took possession at the 50.

And the defense forced a punt late in the fourth quarter from the Lions' 2 after a three-play series that lost 10 yards. The Steelers took possession at the Lions' 48.

"We were able to settle it down," Tomlin said of his defense, "but the damage was the damage."

That it was.

But should that have been enough to deny the Steelers a victory over a winless team?

The Lions came in averaging 321.1 yards per game and gained 306.

They came in averaging 16.8 points per game and scored 16.

For the eighth consecutive time since a season-opening 41-33 loss to the 49ers, the Lions couldn't make it to 20 points.

Other than basically rushing for what they normally throw for (228 yards per game), and throwing for 77, which is almost what they usually run for (93.1), the Lions were who we thought they were.

The Steelers, conversely, were less than they perceive themselves to be on offense, even with Mason Rudolph replacing Ben Roethlisberger.

They might have been just good enough to win, anyway, had they not fumbled twice after catching passes in overtime.

But they did, and thus they weren't.

"We didn't tackle well enough throughout the game defensively, and then in the most critical moments, we didn't maintain possession of the ball on offense," Tomlin assessed. "Those are two of the things that highlighted it just from a knee-jerk response."

Although neither is acceptable, the latter ended up being more impactful.

The urgency should be to fix that first.

After Further Review: More than meets the stat sheet

GAME PHOTOS: Week 10 vs. Detroit Lions

Related Content

After Further Review: Rematch provides clarity

After further review: In the eye of the beholder

After Further Review: 'A special place'

After Further Review: No choice but to get over it

After Further Review: 'We've got to work on the run game'

After Further Review: The search continues

After Further Review: By any means necessary

After Further Review: Tough day in Cincinnati

After Further Review: The one that got away, again

After further review: Difficult to digest, easy to appreciate

After further review: 'There was no secret sauce'