2023 AFC Wildcard Preview: #7 Pittsburgh Steelers at #2 Buffalo Bills
Two of the hottest teams in the NFL are facing off in the 2023 AFC Wildcard, as the No. 7-seeded Pittsburgh Steelers travel to Buffalo to play the No. 2-seeded Bills. Due to heavy snowfall in the Buffalo area, this game was rescheduled from Sunday to Monday. As mentioned, Pittsburgh and Buffalo are both on impressive winning streaks heading into this matchup.
For the Steelers, the offense has found new life under Mason Rudolph, averaging roughly 27 points per game while he has been starting. Both the running backs in Pittsburgh have been playing very well as well, especially Najee Harris, who has found his rookie-year form. T.J. Watt being out for this game will be a huge blow, however.
For the Bills, the story is all about Josh Allen and the defense. Allen has led his offense to wins in five in a row, including a division-winning game in Miami last week over the Dolphins. There was a possibility that the Bills could miss the playoffs altogether, but they turned the season around and are the hottest team entering the playoffs.
How The Bills Can Win:
Stuff The Run
The Pittsburgh Steelers have done a great job over the last three weeks running the ball, and in cold conditions that they will see in Buffalo they would be wise to lean on the ground game. A key for the Buffalo Bills to pick up a win is to limit the big plays on the ground and keep the yards per carry under four. Loading the box and playing man coverage can get the job done.
Let James Cook, Cook
On the flip side, for the Bills, they should lean on James Cook. It will be tempting to go after a Steelers secondary that outside of Joey Porter Jr. and Minkah Fitzpatrick is lackluster at best. I believe it would be best to lean on the ground game and attack the middle of the Steelers’ defense with Cook. Mixing in designed runs with Josh Allen would provide good results, as well.
How The Steelers Can Win:
Make Josh Allen Uncomfortable
As previously mentioned, T.J. Watt will be out this game, so guys like Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig must have a pronounced impact on the game. If they can create havoc for Allen and make him uncomfortable, he has proven to be prone to throwing interceptions. I think if the Steelers can nab at least three sacks and an interception, they have a shot in this game.
Run Angry
Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren hold the key to this game for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers have finished 13th in the NFL in rushing yards per game with 118.3, spearheaded by an impressive last three weeks. If they can get the backs loose in this defense, they can control the clock and potentially squeak out of Buffalo with a win.
If you are looking for a high-scoring affair, this likely isn’t the game for you. This should be a low-scoring affair that will likely be close until the very end. The spread on this game currently is plus-10, which I think pending the conditions is way too high. I believe Pittsburgh should cover this game but will have their losing streak snapped.
Final score prediction: Buffalo Bills 17 – Pittsburgh Steelers 10
SHOP!
