The Detroit Lions finish their preseason slate of games this afternoon hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field. It's a chance for all the backup and roster hopefuls to make one last impression before the team trims the roster from 90 to an initial 53 next week.
Here are five things I'll be looking out for in today's contest:
1. HOME COOKING
The team is finally back in the friendly confines of Ford Field after playing their first two preseason games on the road. The last time the Lions were in Ford Field the atmosphere was absolutely electric as Detroit beat Tampa Bay to earn a place in the NFC Championship Game. Something tells me it will be a livelier crowd than what we typically see in the preseason.
It will also be the first time rookies get a chance to play in their new home after two preseason games in New Jersey and Kansas City.
View photos from the Detroit Lions practice on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97), Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaac Ukwu (45) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14), Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32), Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97), Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Ty Summers (25) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46), Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14), Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16), Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Parker Hesse (43) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19), Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (24) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kaden Davis (88) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jake Funk (36) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
2. FINAL AUDITION
Head coach Dan Campbell said this week there are still about five or six roster spots up for grabs, but there's also countless more playing roles that need to be finalized before the Lions host the Rams on Sept. 8.
There are a number of position battles to keep an eye on today. Top among them is the backup quarterback job, wide receiver No. 4, tight end No. 3 and long snapper. We've seen in past years how a big performance in the last preseason game can swing a roster spot in a player's favor.
3. QUARTERBACK SITUATIONS
The Lions and Steelers still have question marks at quarterback, but they are very different situations. Jared Goff is the starter in Detroit, no doubt about that, and we're not expected to see him play today. We will likely see Hendon Hooker get the start as he's competing with Nate Sudfeld to be Goff's backup come the regular season. It's one more chance for both players to make a lasting impression.
Pittsburgh could still be deciding if it will be Russell Wilson or Justin Fields as their starting signal caller for Week 1. The Steelers have lost both of their preseason contests up to this point and neither Wilson or Fields has run away with the job.
Today will be a good test for Aaron Glenn and the Lions' defense, especially when Fields is out there with his ability to use his legs as a weapon. Fields leads the Steelers in rushing this preseason.
4. BATES' LAST TUNE-UP
Jake Bates might have a little déjà vu stepping into Ford Field today. It should certainly feel like home for him. He played his home games there all spring for the Michigan Panthers of the UFL and made a ton of big kicks in the building.
Bates is 5-for-5 kicking field goals for the Lions in the preseason but did miss an extra point try in Kansas City last week. He's really settled into the role in Detroit, and it would be nice to have a flawless performance as his final tune-up before we get into regular-season mode.
5. GET OUT HEALTHY
We aren't expected to see any of the Lions' core starters, but keep in mind that a team's depth is usually challenged at some point in a long 17-game schedule and some of that expected depth for Detroit is likely to play this afternoon.
Last week we saw players like Dan Skipper, Kayode Awosika, Michael Niese, Josh Paschal, Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Ifeatu Melifonwu play against the Chiefs. Those players are the depth along the offensive line, defensive line, linebacker and secondary. We'll see if they play again this week. If they do, let's get out of this one without any significant injuries and then set our sights on the Sept. 8 opener vs. the Los Angeles Rams.
