The Steelers defense has a built in cheat code that Jahmyr Gibbs and the Lions can use on Sunday

Steelers writer says Jahmyr Gibbs needs to attack the Steelers’ edges

Mike Payton, Rob Gregson
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The Detroit Lions’ run game is coming off a bad showing. That’s the thing, though, going into that game, everyone knew it would be tough.

The Los Angeles Rams’ defense is very good against the run. Sometimes, this Lions team is just so good against the run that it’s like playing Contra on easy. At other times, it’s like playing it on hard. Luckily, the Steelers have a built-in cheat code the Lions can use.

If the Lions punch in Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, then press Start against the Steelers, they can rack up rushing yards

In all seriousness, I talked with our Steelers beat writer, Rob Gregson, about how the Lions can get back into business on the ground against Pittsburgh Sunday, and he gave us the game plan.

“The NFL is a ‘what have you done for me lately?’ league, and in their last showing, the Steelers’ run defense met the moment against a red-hot Dolphins rushing attack, holding them to less than 100 yards on the ground. That was without T.J. Watt and Derrick Harmon as well. The edge players have done a good job funneling things inside, where Patrick Queen has been stout as an inside backer.

“That same defense let the Bills and Ravens go for over 200 yards on the ground in back-to-back weeks, however, and they need to be on alert against the Lions. That’s especially true if Watt and Nick Herbig are out. Detroit will want to stress the edges of the Steelers’ front line, attacking rookie Jack Sawyer, who would be making his first career start. With Harmon back in the middle, expect Detroit to try and get the lateral portion of the run game going.” – Rob Gregson, A to Z Pittsburgh.

That’s where it gets fun for Jahmyr Gibbs. If the plan is to get outside and get into space, Gibbs can do that, maybe better than any running back in the NFL. Gibbs has 385 yards and eight touchdowns rushing around the edges this season. You’d like to see him get some yards up the middle, too, because Queen leads the league in missed tackles right now, but if it’s a speed game, this is how you have to play.

If the Lions can get the run game going, we know that opens up the pass game for them and allows them to control the time of possession. This should be a game where the Lions’ offense can really put up some numbers. We’ll see how it goes.

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