The 8-6 Pittsburgh Steelers hit the road this weekend for a matchup with the 8-6 Detroit Lions, and at home, the Lions are early heavy favorites. Detroit is favored by a consensus -6.5 points, per VSiN, tying the Lions with the Philadelphia Eagles as the third-biggest favorite. The Eagles are 6.5-point favorites over the Washington Commanders.

The Lions are coming off a 41-34 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and while their offense can be one of the most explosive in football, Detroit’s defense is banged up. The secondary is down S Kerby Joseph, CB Terrion Arnold, S Brian Branch and S Thomas Harper, while CB Amik Robertson suffered a hand injury in the loss to the Rams.

The Steelers are going to need to put together a defensive performance like they did against the Miami Dolphins in their 28-15 win on Monday Night Football. Pittsburgh only allowed 3.9 yards per carry to a red-hot Dolphins rushing attack and got after Tua Tagovailoa with four sacks and an interception. The Lions offense operates on speed, with Jahmyr Gibbs one of the best backs in football and a really talented receiver duo in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.

Slowing down Detroit’s offense is going to be the key for the Steelers, and with some of their struggles on the defensive side of the ball, it’s understandable that they’re nearly touchdown underdogs. Detroit’s defense, despite being banged up in the secondary, still has pieces to work with, as EDGE Aidan Hutchinson and LB Jack Campbell are some of the best players at their respective positions.

Aaron Rodgers has plenty of experience playing against Detroit as a former member of the Green Bay Packers, as both teams are in the NFC North. Rodgers is 18-8 in his career against Detroit and 8-5 at Ford Field. Of course, the Lions are a better team now than they were for much of Rodgers’ tenure with the Packers, but he does have a sense of familiarity with them.

It’s a tough matchup for the Steelers, especially on the road and late in the season. The Lions are fighting for a playoff spot in their own right, and they’re going to be motivated to avenge their loss. Detroit hasn’t lost back-to-back games since a 1-6 start in 2022, an impressive streak under Dan Campbell that it’s going to want to keep alive. But the Steelers are also motivated after two straight wins and playing some of their best football of the season.

While Vegas might not see a particularly close affair, Sunday could be a game that comes down to the wire.