Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard is looking for more impact plays out of defensive lineman Alim McNeill down the stretch.
"I have all the faith in the world in Alim," Sheppard said Thursday. "He's done good things for us, but it is time for him to kind of kick in as far as being that impactful three technique, we all know he can."
McNeill returned in October from a torn ACL suffered late last season and played in his eighth game of the season last week in Detroit's loss to the Los Angeles Rams, a game in which McNeill didn't find himself on the stat sheet despite playing 78 percent of the defensive snaps (56).
McNeill produced 12 quarterback pressures in two games against Tampa Bay (his 2025 debut) and on Thanksgiving against Green Bay, per Pro Football Focus statistics, but has 11 pressures in his other six games combined.
"He knows me and he knows what my standard is and how I operate and just doing the bare minimum is just not how I roll," McNeill said Thursday of Sheppard.
McNeill said he knows it wasn't realistic that he would pick up right where he left coming off a significant knee injury, which has been a little frustrating, but he expects more of himself moving forward.
For the season, McNeill has 12 tackles, one tackle for loss, three quarterback hits, one sack and one forced fumble in 454 defensive snaps.
"If I'm going to be out there, whether I was out one year, two years or three years, if you're going to be out there, then be out there and have a presence," he said. "That's just what I'm trying to create. I'm just trying to create my presence out there and have it known and press that pocket in the middle.
"It might not necessarily be sacks but get him off his spot and get him running. Make him make bad throws. Stuff like that. Just impact. I'm dumbing things down this week and simplifying things for myself and just make it simple and hit somebody in the mouth and play football."
SCOUTING REPORT
Veteran running back Kenneth Gainwell has seen his role in Pittsburgh's offense steadily increase throughout the season. What started as a primarily third-down and reserve role has developed into more of a lead back role, though like Detroit, Pittsburgh utilizes both Gainwell and running back Jaylen Warren in their backfield.
Gainwell has become a big factor in the Steelers' pass game, much like Jahmyr Gibbs has in Detroit. In fact, the fifth-year running back leads Pittsburgh with 57 receptions on the season. Wide receiver DK Metcalf is second with 55.
"Gives them another element. If you're able to get the running back out and he's a good route runner, then you get isolated on the linebacker," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said this week about Gainwell. "We're fortunate, we've got some pretty good backers here, so that helps. But yet, it's still a matchup that I would say most offenses are always looking for in general.
"And I like Gainwell, he's a good back. And he is, he's versatile. He's got vision, he's pretty sneaky that way, shifty. And he is a good receiver."
RED ZONE BATTLE
Taking advantage of scoring opportunities and turning red zone visits into seven points and not three is always a big factor in winning and losing every week in the NFL. This week it's particularly important looking at Sunday's matchup between the Lions and Steelers.
Pittsburgh ranks 27th in the NFL in total offense but they're 13th in scoring. That's a significant jump between yards and scoring and can be attributed, in part, to the fact that Pittsburgh is one of the top red-zone offenses in the NFL, converting trips inside an opponent's 20-yard line into a touchdown 66.7 percent of the time, which is third best in the league. Detroit's offense is No. 2 at 67.9 percent.
Detroit's defense is allowing touchdowns in the red zone at a 61.7 clip, which ranks 23rd. That's an area where they will have to buckle down and be better Sunday. Pittsburgh's 42 red zone visits rank just 20th in the league, but when they get there, they take advantage with touchdowns.
EXTRA POINTS
- Seven of the eight divisions have a team in first place or tied for first that did not win their division last season: AFC East (New England), AFC North (Pittsburgh), AFC South (Jacksonville), AFC West (Denver), NFC North (Chicago), NFC South (Carolina), NFC West (Seattle).
- With six receptions against Pittsburgh Sunday, Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown can become the fifth player in NFL history with at least 100 receptions in four consecutive seasons, joining Antonio Brown (six consecutive from 2013-18), Davante Adams (four from 2020-23), Stefon Diggs (four from 2020-23) and Marvin Harrison (four from 1999-2002).
