"The Steelers expect to face Detroit Lions rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford on Sunday at Ford Field -- or at least they want the Lions to think that.

Stafford has a right knee injury and did not practice today.

"Mainly, I've been watching film on Stafford more right now, because I feel like he's going to play," Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley (Michigan) said today on a conference call with Detroit reporters. "I'll check out the other quarterback after practice today."

Why does Woodley think Stafford will play?

"I just believe he is," Woodley said.

Woodley said the Steelers are operating that way as a team. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said the same thing, saying he was basing it on Lions coach Jim Schwartz's comments. Schwartz has called Stafford "day-to-day" and left open the possibility he will play Sunday.

What's the difference between Stafford and veteran Daunte Culpepper? "