Lions Week 16 preview: Breaking down Steelers’ offensive, defensive schemes

The Detroit Lions (8-6) and Pittsburgh Steelers (8-6) will square off in a Week 16 battle with NFL playoff implications. For the majority of the year, both teams have spent the season alternating wins and losses, but the Steelers are coming off their first two-game win streak since the opening weeks of the season, as their offense has found new life.

Let’s take a closer look at the Steelers’ coaching staff, the scheme they run, and some scouting notes from previously viewed games.

Steelers head coach: Mike Tomlin

NFL coaching seasons: 25 seasons (DB coach with Bucs, 2001-2005)
Defensive coordinator: 1 season with Vikings (2006)
NFL head coaching seasons: 19 seasons with Steelers (2007-present) — never had a losing season
Influences: Tony Dungy, Monte Kiffin, Jon Gruden, Brad Childress, Dick LeBeau
Super Bowl Champion: 2008 (HC, Steelers), 2002 (Bucs, DB coach)
Playcaller: No

Dan Campbell on Tomlin:

“Steelers, man. Got a lot of respect for this team, got a lot of respect for Mike Tomlin, been doing it for a long time, hell of a coach. Their brand of football, same style, always competitive. And once again, they’re in the race for this division over there. They do it the right way, they do it the hard way, and they make you try to earn it at the end of the game. So, we know this’ll be one of those physical battles. We’ve got to play smart, take care of the football and be very efficient. But he’s always run a good program, and we know we’ve got our hands full.”

“I do know him, but I wouldn’t say it’s something where I call and we talk all the time or anything like that. I’ve just got a ton of respect for him. I know what he’s about and the way he goes about his business. Anybody that I know that’s ever come across Coach Tomlin speaks so highly of him, so he’s one of one.”

Offensive coordinator: Arthur Smith

NFL coaching seasons: 17 seasons
Offensive coordinator seasons: 4 seasons (Titans 2019-20, Steelers 2024-present)
Head coaching seasons: 3 seasons (Falcons 2021-23)
Previous coaching positions: TE coach, OL coach, Offensive/Defensive quality control
Influences: Matt LaFleur, Mike Mularkey, Ken Whisenhunt, Mike Munchak, Joe Gibbs

Offensive scheme

Passing game: West Coast
Running scheme: Wide Zone (Shanahan)
Staples of scheme:

• Smith takes a lot of his offensive principles from LaFleur (Packers HC) from their time in Tennessee
• Lots of West Coast principals (pre-snap motion, bunch formations, play-action)
• Prefer to be heavy up front: 11+ 6OL (9.75%, 1st in NFL), 12 (30%, 9th), and 13 (16.57, 2nd) personnel
• Almost exclusively single-running back looks
• Run-heavy power-based focus – deploy 2 RBs evenly
• TEs and WRs are used in the blocking game at the line of scrimmage
• Play-action is down this season (22.4%, 25th)
• The goal is not to be explosive, but instead efficient, setting up favorable 2nd and 3rd downs
• A...