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Calvin Johnson had 163 yards in the second quarter, but just 16 the rest of the game, including none in the second half.

(AP Photo)

PITTSBURGH -- Even Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin seemed perplexed by the Detroit Lions' offensive strategy in the second half.

After Calvin Johnson exploded for 163 yards and two touchdowns in the second quarter, the Lions superstar wide receiver was held without a reception on three targets in the second half of Detroit's 37-27 loss.

Asked what his team did differently after halftime, Tomlin indicated the primary reason Johnson's production slowed down was Detroit's play-calling.

"It might just have been what they didn't do," Tomlin said. "That guy is an awesome football player."

Quarterback Matthew Stafford and Lions coach Jim Schwartz confirmed Pittsburgh didn't alter its defensive game plan for the final two quarters.

"Honestly, they didn't do anything different scheme-wise in the second half," Schwartz said. "We didn't make enough plays against what they were running. They were doing the same things that we made a couple plays earlier in the game against."

Johnson was primarily covered by veteran cornerback Ike Taylor with safeties Ryan Clark, Troy Polamalu and Will Allen providing help over the top.

That setup couldn't contain Johnson in the second quarter. He caught five passes, including a 79-yard touchdown out of play-action. But Taylor rebounded to lock down the receiver down in the second half.

"Ike Taylor stood up," Allen said. "Taylor had him man-to-man the whole game. Taylor came through. That's what he gets paid for and that's what he did. He got hands on him and made it hard for him."

Johnson declined multiple interview requests in the locker room following the game.

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