WEEK TEN: DETROIT @ PITTSBURGH (-8.5, O/U 42.5)

Synopsis:

Þ Dan Campbell (5-15) vs. Mike Tomlin (150-80-1)

Þ Sun., Nov. 14, 2021 @ 1 P.M

Þ Weather Forecast (via nflweather.com)

Three Keys

Balanced Offense

The Steelers have finally reached a point of development with their offensive line that they are now able to execute on Matt Canada’s offense more and create more of a balanced offense.

We have seen time and time again about how the Steelers struggled at the end of last year and beginning of this season whenever teams did not have to show any respect towards the running game.

Now that Najee Harris is beginning to find his form with the line playing better football, the Steelers balanced out their first down play calls for the closest breakdown all season.

Like how they tore up the Lions in the preseason game, expect this trend to continue this week. Canada will bring in his patented motions and play action game to open up the playbook for more efficiency.

Minkah Magic

Per Pro Football Focus, a particular area that Jared Goff has really struggled in so far this season is his completions across the intermediate middle of the field, where his current stat line sits at 14/24 for 253 yards and 3 INTs.

Across the middle of the field as a whole, Goff is 17/31 for 336 yards, 1 TD and 4 INT.

We saw in week 9 how Minkah played perhaps his most physical game yet and took away routes across the middle of the field. If he can play a baiting game with Goff and the Steelers take away routes outside of the hashes, look for this to potentially be the game where Minkah grabs his first takeaway of the season.

Steelers Pass Catchers vs. Detroit Linebackers

The Steelers’ first two draft picks in Najee Harris and Pat Freiermuth have arguably allowed the Steelers to open up their playbook and push the ball down the field in a more efficient manner.

The two were among the team leaders in average yards after catch, proving that they are tough to bring down and can create matchup problems for opposing defenses.

For the Detroit linebackers, they struggled mightily in coverage against the Eagles in their last game. According to Pro Football Focus, Linebacker Alex Anzalone was targeted three times and allowed 34 yards, two times surrendering a first down.

In key situations, I’d look for the Steelers to go empty set with Najee and Pat drawing the assignments of linebackers.