By BOB LABRIOLA

Steelers.com

 

The following are some of the interesting matchups to watch during the Steelers-Lions game at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Heinz Field:

 

STEELERS LT MARVEL SMITH VS. LIONS DE KALIMBA EDWARDS: The Lions come into the game ranked 22nd in the NFL in sacks, and their pass rush has been coming primarily from DT Shaun Rogers and Edwards, who leads the team with seven to go along with two forced fumbles. There can be few things as comforting to Ben Roethlisberger as knowing that Smith is back in the lineup at left tackle, and the pass protection always is more solid when that’s the case. “Marvel is a good football player, a very consistent player,” said Coach Bill Cowher. “I think there is no question that having him in there as a pass protector he has proven that he is a Pro Bowl player. He is rock solid, he really is. He is so steady, says so little, and yet he is out there, he is a warrior and if he can play he is going to play. I know Alan [Faneca] likes working with him and they work very well together.”

 

STEELERS CB IKE TAYLOR VS. LIONS WR ROY WILLIAMS: This is the Williams from Texas, the one who was the Lions’ No. 1 pick in the 2004 draft, not to be confused with Mike Williams from USC who was the team’s No. 1 pick in 2005. The Lions infamously made wide receivers their No. 1 pick in three successive drafts, and Roy Williams has shown himself to be the best of them. He may be tied with TE Marcus Pollard with 42 catches after 15 games, but Williams is averaging a team-best 15.6 yards per reception, and he’s also leading the team in touchdowns with seven. Taylor has made significant strides as a cornerback through this season, and if he becomes better at concentrating from play-to-play he could become great.

 

STEELERS RG KENDALL SIMMONS VS. LIONS DT SHAUN ROGERS: Despite Edwards’ statistical edge in sacks, Rogers is regarded as the team’s best defensive lineman. A college teammate of Casey Hampton’s at Detroit, Rogers’ draft stock was hurt by an ankle injury, and the Lions got themselves a bargain as a result. At Texas, Rogers was the most talented defensive lineman on the team, but Hampton was the leader, the guy who was credited with helping the coaches get the most out of Rogers. Simmons has been playing better since that week when Cowher had him dividing practice time with rookie Chris Kemoeatu. The Steelers need Simmons to continue on this path.

 

STEELERS WR HINES WARD VS. LIONS CB DRE BLY: One team’s best receiver against the opponent’s top cornerback. Neither Ward nor Bly are particularly imposing physically, but both of them have earned the respect of their teammates because of the way they play the game. Bly missed some time this season with a dislocated wrist, but he came back and is leading the team with six interceptions. Ward has 11 receiving touchdowns for a Steelers team that has had to start three different quarterbacks this season because of injury. When the Steelers look to make plays in the passing game, Ben Roethlisberger will cast more than a casual glance at Ward, and when he does he’s likely to find him matched up against Bly.

 

HEINS FIELD VS. LIONS PK JASON HANSON: The longest-tenured Lions player as a second-round pick in 1992, Hanson has led a charmed life for a kicker, because his home field has been a dome for his entire career. He’s 19-of-24 in field goals this season (79.2 percent), and he’s at 80.9 percent for his career. But Heinz Field is no dome, the surface is not artificial turf, and it’s winter in Pittsburgh.