What are the Pittsburgh Steelers talking about ahead of Sunday's Week 16 matchup against the Lions in Detroit's regular season home finale?

1. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said this week he has a ton of respect for the Lions with how they go about their business.

"They are a competitive group, they are a physical group in all three phases," he said. "They are aggressive not only in play but schematically. Got to tip my cap to coach Campbell and Co. for that."

2. Sunday's game will feature two teams in Detroit and Pittsburgh that utilize two running backs in their rushing attack - Detroit with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, and Pittsburgh with Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren. Gainwell said it's cool this game will feature four different running backs who get legitimate carries but there's no competition trying to out-duel Detroit's duo. He said they're just focused on doing what they need to do as a tandem to go 1-0 this week.

Gibbs (62 receptions) and Gainwell (57) are big components of the pass game out of the backfield for both teams. Gainwell leads Pittsburgh in receptions.

3. Tomlin went to Iowa's Pro Bay back in 2023 before the NFL Draft and even took Lions MIKE linebacker Jack Campbell out to dinner.

"Can't say enough about their linebacker tandem," Tomlin said. "Very versatile. They play in all circumstances. Did a lot of research on Jack Campbell. We got a lot of Iowa guys in our program. Got a lot of respect for who he is as a football man and how he plays and his relationship with the game and his natural leadership skills. That was very evident going to Iowa and participating in their Pro Day efforts.

"He is certainly a natural leader, football player and man, and it appears from the outside that those characteristics have transferred to the professional level. He's doing some of the things for the Lions that he did at the University of Iowa."

Campbell currently ranks fourth in the NFL in tackles with 143 behind only Cedric Gray (144), Devin White (149) and Jordyn Brooks (155).

4. Steelers tackle Dylan Cook said he and the rest of his offensive linemates are preparing for a physical battle Sunday against Detroit's defensive front.

"Detroit's a physical front with physical linebackers and it's going to be a challenge but we're up for it," he said.

Cook and the Steelers' front played well in their win over Miami Monday night, rushing for 135 yards and two touchdowns. They'll be hoping for more of the same Sunday in Detroit.

5. Tomlin acknowledged the attrition the Lions have had on defense from an injury perspective heading into Sunday's matchup, especially at safety. He mentioned Damontae Kazee and Arthur Maulet as veteran players he knows can step in and make plays. Kazee was a Steeler from 2022-24 and Maulet was in Pittsburgh two seasons in 2021 and 2022.

6. Offensively, Tomlin said one of the big things that jumps out to him is how well the Lions take care of the football, specifically mentioning quarterback Jared Goff and his five interceptions thrown this season. Goff's 1.1 interception percentage is the second lowest in the NFL this season. Turnovers will be a key area to watch Sunday. Detroit ranks No. 1 in the NFL with only eight turnovers all season. Pittsburgh ranks No. 3 with 24 takeaways.

"We better utilize a lot of schematic strategies in terms of the coverage makeups man and zone and simulation pressures," Tomlin said. "We better work the back passes. It's not only about the rush in terms of getting him and them off rhythm We better fight for each and every incompletion."

7. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has had his fair share of battles with the Lions in Detroit over the years. He's expecting another one Sunday. He talked specifically about Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, calling him a 'game wrecker.' Rodgers thinks Hutchinson is heading down the path of being a generational player. High praise from Rodgers.

"He's anything but a one-trick pony," Rodgers said of Hutchinson. "He's got all the moves in pass rush, great spin move, cobra strike, speed to power. He's a talented guy. He's one of the few guys in the league you really gotta know where he's at on every play."

8. Wide receiver DK Metcalf said the one thing that's been talked about in the wide receiver room this week is matching Detroit's physicality on defense. It's been a point of emphasis for them heading into Sunday.