The Detroit Lions (3-3) will play host to the Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) on Sunday after losing in back-to-back weeks and losing three out of their last four. Coming off of the ‘bye’, the Lions have several concerns that need to be addressed before kickoff as they face the AFC North-leading Steelers who are fielding a top defense in the NFL.

Without Tate, who steps up?

Lions receiver Golden Tate has put together an incredible stretch of 54 games started since signing with Detroit in 2014 (85 straight games played overall), but all that looks to come to an end on Sunday due to an AC joint injury. Tate’s presence on the offense is palpable leading the league in yards after the catch since 2014 and having hands that Matthew Stafford is confident will be able to grab the passes he throws to the veteran.

If Tate is a no-go on Sunday, Marvin Jones is still a viable option but he has had just six catches in each of the last two games although he leads the team with three receiving touchdowns. Unfortunately, Jones has just 20 receptions on the season thus far.

Everybody else has to step up … that’s why we practice and all of us (other receivers) are grinding every day and it’s next man up. – M. Jones

Getting Kenny Golladay back after missing the past few weeks due to a hamstring injury would be big. The rookie has good size and the skillset to challenge the Steelers defensive backs. “(We’ve missed) his physical presence,” Jones said of the young receiver. “He can go and do it all, so it’s good to have him back.”

Stafford and the Lions offense will then look to Jared Abbrederisto and T.J. Jones to help fill the huge void that Tate’s absence creates. Jones has 13 receptions for 178 yards; Abbrederis has three catches for 44 yards and has seen limited action. Unfortunately, neither Abbrederisto or Jones has the conversion ability on third downs that Tate does, and neither do any of the other receivers or tight ends (including Eric Ebron) on the roster. This will be a difficult adjustment this week.

The Lions are 26th in total offense. They struggle on first down and are the only team in the league to average less than 4.0 yards on that down (3.56) and only 37.1 percent of their first-down plays gain at least four yards. The only team with a lower percentage are the Los Angeles Chargers. The Lions have also fallen to a league-lowest 9.1 yards needed for a first down on their second down, leaving them scrambling to find someone to help them advance the ball down the field and finish drives.

Stafford dangerous as long as O-line protects him

Stafford still has what it takes to keep games alive. He has 136 completions so far this season for 1,428 yards (60.4 percent), 12 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Where Stafford is struggling is behind an offensive line looks as if they just practiced together for the first time in a soap game a week ago.

In the Lions’ first six games, Stafford was sacked 23 times – the most any quarterback has been put on the turf that many times in over ten seasons (during a six-game stretch). 2017’s totals rival only his 2014 season in which he was sacked 45 times. If the line continues to underperform, Stafford is on track to be sacked 61 times during the regular season. Only Jacoby Brissett of the Indianapolis Colts has been sacked more times during the current regular season.

And who do the Lions face this weekend? The number two defense in the league in sack totals – the Steelers. Detroit’s starting five – Rick Wagner, Greg Robinson, T.J. Lang, Graham Glasgow, and Travis Swanson – have allowed 60 quarterback pressures as well during that six-game stretch. Under that kind of pressure, Detroit is lucky that Stafford is still able to get dressed let along run onto the field for more punishment while trying to win a game.

Taylor Decker has a shoulder injury and Robinson a bad ankle. If Robinson can’t go, enter Brian Mihalik. You get the picture.

Ansah, Quin, Whitehead need to lead against Steelers

Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah has slowed down this season, even if he responded to questions about a change in pace with this: “I’m the same person…Yup.” Head coach Jim Caldwell didn’t think questions about Ansah struggling were accurate despite the fact that Ziggy has just four sacks in six games (three of them coming against Eli Manning in Week 2). “He’s gotten a few sacks here and there and the season isn’t over yet,” Caldwell told the media this week.

(Ansah) makes plays for us. He sets the edge for us. Does a lot of things extremely well. – J. Caldwell

In Ansah’s defense, he is tied for the team lead with Anthony Zettle with four sacks, but he is experiencing his second-straight season of injury battles. Ansah had 14.5 sacks in 2015, but hasn’t had the hops after a high ankle sprain and missing all of training camp before the 2017 season with a knee injury. Limited in practice every week this season hasn’t helped with timing.

The Lions defense has done a good job of generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks through the first part of the season, earning a Pro Football Focus credited 67 quarterback hurries (around 11 per game), but they have only been able to turn 13 of those plays into a sack (ranked 22nd in the league).

Glover Quin, who has a 122-game start streak, may have missed Sunday’s game and an opportunity to face the Steelers had the Lions played last week. Quin was in concussion protocol due to a hit to the head against the New Orleans Saints. Quin has two interceptions (one a pick-six) on the season, has contributed to two fumbles and is disruptive in the defensive backfield. He has stepped up as a leader on the field this season. He’ll call on help from Darius Slay, who has three interceptions this season, and the other DBs to help shut down Antonio Brown and the Steelers receivers.

Outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead leads the Lions defense in combined tackles (36) and will be asked to help set the edge to contain Le’Veon Bell and apply pressure to Ben Roethlisberger. As a six-year veteran, Whitehead has the speed and agility to give the Steelers’ defensive line work, but he’ll need support from Jarrad Davis and Paul Worrilow.

The Lions need all hands on deck this weekend on both sides of the ball if they hope to shut down a Steelers team that was out of sync until they handed the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs a loss and then shut down the Cincinnati Bengals.