Sports Network | August 14, 2010
Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) – Jeff Reed connected on three field goals to help the Pittsburgh Steelers take a 23-7 win over the Detroit Lions in the preseason opener for both squads.
Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, coming off an offseason that saw him plagued by legal troubles, did not play in the game. He will miss the first six games of the regular season as he was suspended by the NFL under the personal-conduct policy, but he is allowed to participate in training camp and the preseason.
Byron Leftwich started under center and went 6-for-10 for 43 yards for the Steelers, who failed to make the playoffs last season due to a 9-7 record, finishing third in the AFC North. Isaac Redman had 15 carries for 60 yards and a score while Antonio Brown had three catches for 84 yards and a score.
Matthew Stafford went 8-for-11 for 61 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Lions, who finished last season with a mark of 2-14, last in the NFC North and second-worst in the NFL. Calvin Johnson had two catches for 10 yards and a score while rookie Jahvid Best had six carries for 29 yards.
Reed kicked a 35-yard field goal in the first quarter to stake Pittsburgh to a 3-0 lead, but Johnson hauled in a two-yard touchdown catch early in the second to give the Lions a 7-3 advantage.
Reed later added a 37-yard field goal and a one-yard run from Redman gave Pittsburgh a 13-7 lead heading into the half, which began with 1:37 left in the second quarter due to heavy thunderstorms that were pounding the area.
Reed booted a 32-yard field goal for the only points of the third quarter to give the Steelers a 16-7 lead.
Brown’s 68-yard touchdown catch from Dennis Dixon in the fourth accounted for the final score.