0
0
Steeler Nation doesn’t just reside in the surrounding areas of Western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. It is a world-wide army that lives and dies with the NFL franchise that calls Pittsburgh it’s home. The six-time Super Bowl champions are a team that always strives for excellence, and their fans expect nothing less in return. This is the ultimate Steelers Game Day Preview that all followers of the black and gold come to find everything they need to know about the Pittsburgh Steelers and their upcoming opponent! Mike Drakulich (@PghSportsNation), who covers both Pitt football and the Steelers for NGSC Sports, brings you inside the huddle for both teams with a weekly game story, the Steelers offensive and defensive game plans for success, prediction, game day information, a detailed breakdown of each team, and an up to date team injury report. Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff. The only thing you’re missing is a game uniform.
Roethlisberger and Steelers out to prove doubters wrong
If someone were to listen to all the negativity spewed by the so called experts regarding the Pittsburgh Steelers, they’d probably wonder why the Steelers would even bother to show up for their season opener vs the Buffalo Bills this Sunday at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, NY.
Ben Roethlisberger is washed up. The offensive line is a mess– with just two returning starters, two rookies, and a free agent. Why would they draft RB Najee Harris? They have a new offensive coordinator. They’re playing at Buffalo!
Luckily, Roethlisberger and his offensive mates could care less about the chatter. Roethlisberger knows that his offense has potential, and with hard work, some time to grow together, and the will to succeed, this unit could evolve into a fantastic force to deal with.
“We’re going to have to kind of learn on the fly — all of us,” Roethlisberger said Wednesday. “It may not be pretty early. We have to accept that fact, too. But at the end of the day, we just have to do what we have to do to win a football game.”
“Like anything, there’s going to be growing pains,” Roethlisberger continued. “We’re all going to experience them. Even someone in his 18th season is going to experience growing pains. The key is, do we learn from those growing pains? How often do those pains come?”
Roethlisberger is excited to see this offense flourish under the guise of new offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
“So far in the preseason, coach Canada’s done a great job of getting plays in early enough that you can break the huddle and kind of have time to talk and communicate,” Roethlisberger said. “Hopefully that continues and we can communicate, especially as a young group, altogether. Things won’t always go well, but we’ll see what we can do.”
That includes an effort to see the rushing attack return to the standards Pittsburgh is known for.
Najee Harris will see plenty of work, something Big Ben had to have a little fun with when asked about.
“I think we’re going to run the ball about every play, so at some point, a big run’s going to happen, I think,” Roethlisberger said with a straight face.
Free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick knows to to keep the Bills offense under Josh Allen in check come Sunday.
“If you’ve got a man in front of you, cover him,” said Fitzpatrick. “It’s pretty simple. We try not to over complicate it.
“We have great defensive backs in the secondary. A lot of experience mixed in with some young guys. But we have great players that match up well against them. They do have a lot of talent. They do have a lot of experience as well. We just have to win those one-on-one battles.”
Allen is a dual threat with both his arm and legs, so the talented Steelers defense will have to be at the top of their game if Pittsburgh would like to come out of week one 1-0. Fitzpatrick and defensive coordinator Keith Butler will be hoping to keep Allen guessing when and where the Steelers will be attacking from.
“I think if you do a good job with any disguise, I think you can trick anybody,” said Fitzpatrick. “You’re not going to be doing it every play. But I think Josh is a smart guy. He is experienced. He started every game the last four years which is a lot of experience. He has learned a lot. It is tough to trick him. We’re still going to go in there and do what we have to do to play the game within the game.
“He is a good decision maker. He is never going to put the ball in a bad spot. He is also an athlete, so he is going to extend plays with his feet. If he sees something he doesn’t like, he is going to escape out of the pocket and he has great receivers that can get open after the scramble. He uses his IQ along with his athleticism.”
One big factor will be the return of corner Joe Haden, who missed both the loss to Cleveland in the playoffs, and the 26-15 loss to Buffalo as well.
“I think it’s definitely a game changer,” said Fitzpatrick of having Haden back. “Joe is a great, great player. Experienced guy. A guy a lot of quarterbacks shy away from. Having him out there is going to give the opposing team hesitation throwing to that side.”
Steelers Game Plan for Success
Offense
- Ben Roethlisberger: Enough of the questions. It’s time for Big Ben to shut his critics up, and what better place to do it than on the road vs a tough Bills defense?
- Unleash Najee Harris: The rookie running back is eager to show why the Steelers chose him with their first round pick. The kid has all the tools. Time to go to work.
Defense
- Punish Josh Allen: Tough assignment, but… Allen is the glue that holds this offense together. When the Steelers pass rush does get to him, they need to make every shot count.
- Limit splash plays by Stephon Diggs: Joe Haden will have his work cut out for him, but he usually finds a way to get the job done. Limit Diggs and it will be a good day for Pittsburgh’s defense.
Prediction
Ben Roethlisberger didn’t return to the Steelers just for the fun of it. Both he and this team expect this season to result in one ending, and that is by raising the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LVI. The team was busy in the off-season, revamping the offensive line with two draft picks, and a free agent pick-up. They added great depth at linebacker with Pro Bowlers in both Joe Schobert and Melvin Ingram, and in the secondary with Ahkello Witherspoon.
First round pick Najee Harris looks like every bit the stud he was at Alabama, and that should transform this Steelers offense back into a balanced one that could beat you both via the air, and ground, when counted upon.
The Steelers defense may be even better than they were last season when they finished 3rd overall in total yards allowed and points allowed. DE Stephon Tuitt will be out at least three weeks, but Chris Wormley should be able to get the job done in Tuitt’s absence. Cam Heyward is always playing at an all-pro level.
The Steelers have T.J. Watt, a yearly defensive player of the year candidate. Devin Bush is back from a knee injury sustained last year. Alex Highsmith is questionable this week, but his level of play is expected to be elevated as he enters his 2nd year with the Steelers.
All in all, this is a defense that can give Josh Allen and the Bills problems, especially with the lack of a true running game besides from Allen’s legs. If Ben Roethlisberger looks like he did in his brief preseason appearance, the Bills defense could be in for a long day, especially with the weak pass rush the Bills put forth.
Expect a physical game, with some chippy play from both sides trying to establish their dominance over the other.
Thanks to a resurgent Roethlisberger and a spectacular debut by Najee Harris, the Steelers defy the experts and stun the Bills on the road… Steelers 24 Bills 20
Game Day Information
Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills
- Vegas line: Buffalo -6.5
Venue: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY.
- Field: A-Turf Titan
Game-time: Sunday, September 12th at 1:00 pm
TV: CBS (Local on KDKA-TV)
- Announcers: Ian Eagle (play-by-play) Charles Davis (analyst) | Evan Washburn (reporter)
Local radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE-FM & 970 WBGG-AM
- Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Craig Wolfley (analyst) | Max Starks (sideline)
Internet broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
Weather at kickoff: 74 with a 45% of storms. Winds out of the South at 13 mph.
NFL Links:
Steelers vs Bills History
Series History: Began in 1950
Overall Record: 16-11
- Home: 10-3
- Away: 6-8
- Postseason: 2-1
Streak: Buffalo has won the last two games.
Last regular-season meeting: Bills Win, 26-15 (Dec. 13, 2020)
Last postseason meeting: Steelers Win, 40-21 (Jan. 6, 1996)
Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 0-0 (1st in AFC North)
Last game: Season Opener
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin (14th Season with Steelers)
- Overall regular-season record: 145-78-1
- Playoff record: 8-8 (Qualified for playoffs 9 times)
Links
- 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers Team Roster
- Steelers Team/Individual Statistics
- Pittsburgh Steelers 2020 Schedule
Steelers Offense
Strengths: A balanced offense lead by a resurgent Roethlisberger who has a bevy of weapons at his disposal to utilize.
Weaknesses: The offensive line needs to jell quickly, and provide pass protection for Big Ben and some holes for Harris to run through.
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 0
- Total yards per game: 0
- Passing yards per game: 0
- Rushing yards per game: 0
Starting Quarterback: Ben Roethlisberger | Back-up: Mason Rudolph
- Ben Roethlisberger is back and out to prove he can still sling the football and lead his team back to the playoffs.
Starting Running Back: Najee Harris | Back-up: Benny Snell, Jr. and Kalen Ballage.
- Rookie Najee Harris will use his variety of skills to become an ultimate weapon for the Steelers.
Wide Receivers: Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, Juju Smith-Schuster, James Washington, and Ray-Ray McCloud.
- Diontae Johnson is set to become a true #1 receiver, especially if he can limit dropped passes. Chase Claypool is fast and a deep threat. Juju Smith-Schuster is dangerous in the slot and reliable when extra yards are needed. James Washington would like to carve out a bigger role in the 2021 offense.
Tight Ends: Eric Ebron, Pat Friermuth, and Zach Gentry.
- Eric Ebron will start, but he has to stop dropping passes, which have become momentum and game killers. Pat Friermuth may become the eventual starter, especially if he continues making big plays as he did in his preseason debut with Roethlisberger.
Placekicker: Chris Boswell
- Extra Points: 0-0
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 0-0
- 30-39 yards: 0-0
- 40-49 yards: 0-0
- 50+ yards: 0-0
*Injured/Out
Steelers Defense (Base 3-4)
Strengths: Great pass rush that limits opposing run game as well.
Weaknesses: Mental mistakes that lead to splash plays. DE Stephon Tuitt is out for first three weeks.
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 0
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 0
- Passing yards allowed: 0
- Rushing yards allowed: 0
- Sacks: 0
- Interceptions: 0
Defensive Line: Cam Heyward, Tyson Alualu, and Chris Wormley.
- Cam Heyward and Chris Wormley bookend Tyson Alualu in the middle. Wormley will be in for starter Stephon Tuitt who is out for a minimum of three more weeks. Heyward had 49 tackles and four sacks last year.
Linebackers: T.J. Watt, Devin Bush, Joe Schobert, and Alex Highsmith.
- Defensive Player of the Year candidate T.J. Watt leads a solid linebacker corps alongside Devin Bush, who returns from a knee injury in 2020, Joe Schobert, a Pro Bowler acquired from Jacksonville, and Alex Highsmith. Expect to see plenty of time for Melvin Ingram, another former Pro Bowl player who began his career with the Chargers. Watt has 49.5 sacks over his four year career with Pittsburgh.
Secondary: Joe Haden, Terrell Edmunds, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Cameron Sutton.
- Joe Haden and Cameron Sutton will be at the corners with Minkah Fitzpatrick at free safety and Terrell Edmunds at strong safety. Fitzpatrick had 74 tackles and four interceptions in 2020.
Steelers Special Teams
Punter: Pressley Harvin III
Kickoff Returners: Ray-Ray McCloud
Punt Returner: Ray-Ray McCloud
Scouting report: McCloud averaged 23.1 yards per kickoff return last year and 10.3 on punt returns.
Scouting the Buffalo Bills
Overall record: 0-0 (1st in AFC East)
Last game: Season Opener
Head coach: Sean McDermott (5th season with Buffalo)
- Overall regular-season record: 38-26 | 38-26 with Buffalo
Links
Bills Offense
Strengths: Josh Allen via arm and legs. WR Stephon Diggs is a game changer.
Weaknesses: Not a great run game, besides from Allen.
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 0
- Total Offense per game: 0
- Passing yards per game: 0
- Rushing yards per game: 0
Starting Quarterback: Josh Allen | Back-up: Mitchell Trubisky
- Josh Allen looks to have an MVP type season in leading the Bills back to the playoffs and possibly a Super Bowl appearance.
Starting Running Back: Devin Singletary | Back-up: Zach Moss
- Devin Singletary starts with Zach Moss getting a few carries now and then.
Wide Receivers: Stephon Diggs, Emmanuel Sanders, Cole Beasley, Gabriel Davis, Isaiah McKenzie, and Jake Kumerow
- Stephon Diggs is the #1 receiver for Josh Allen with Emmanuel Sanders helping out in the slot along with Cole Beasley. Gabriel Davis and Isaiah McKenzie hope to become more relevant in 2021. Davis had just 35 receptions last year, but seven resulted in touchdowns.
Tight Ends: Dawson Knox and Tommy Sweeney.
- Dawson Knox is Allen’s top threat at tight end. Knox had 24 receptions for 288 yards in 2020.
Placekicker: Tyler Bass
- Extra Points: 0-0
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 0-0
- 30-39 yards: 0-0
- 40-49 yards: 0-0
- 50+ yards: 0-0
*Injured/out
Bills Defense (Base 4-3)
Strengths: Opportunistic defense that had 15 interceptions last year.
Weaknesses: Not a great pass rush.
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 0
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 0
- Passing yards allowed: 0
- Rushing yards allowed: 0
- Sacks: 0
- Interceptions: 0
Scouting report: The Bills were 14th in total yards allowed last year, and gave up an average or 23.4 points per game.
Strong safety Jordan Poyer lead the team with 124 tackles last year and had a pair of interceptions and sacks. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds had 119 tackles and two sacks. Defensive end Jerry Hughes lead the team with 4.5 sacks.
Bills Special Teams
Kickoff Returners: Isaiah McKenzie
Punt Returner: Isaiah McKenzie
Scouting report: McKenzie averaged 16 yards per kick return in 2020 and had one punt return for 84 yards.
Injury Report (9/11/21)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Out: DE Stephon Tuitt (knee)
- Doubtful: None reported
- Questionable: None reported
Buffalo Bills
- Out: DT Star Lotulelei (Calf)
- Doubtful: None reported
- Questionable: WR Emmanuel Sanders (Foot)
Author Profile
- Your source for Pittsburgh sports!
-
From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.
There's nowhere on earth that is more dedicated to its sports teams like Western Pennsylvania and the city of Pittsburgh. The passion and pride of Pittsburgh's fan base is second to no one. From the NFL, NHL, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, to W.P.I.A.L. high school sports, "The City of Champions" has it all!
As Editor of Pittsburgh SportsNation, Mike Drakulich provides top notch opinions and coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitt Panthers football & basketball, Robert Morris Colonials basketball, and Duquesne Dukes basketball, as well as all sports teams that represent Western Pennsylvania, including WPIAL High School Football.
For a refreshing view of sports, mixed with humor and uncensored opinions, check out Pittsburgh SportsNation today on Facebook, Twitter @PghSportsNation and videos with over 1,000,000 views on YouTube!
Latest entries
FeaturesMarch 18, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports
FeaturesMarch 12, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports
FeaturesMarch 3, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports
FeaturesFebruary 25, 2024The DraX-Files: This Week in Pittsburgh Sports