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Steeler Nation is a world-wide army that follows the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers. The Six-Time Super Bowl Champions are a franchise whose tradition dictates a standard of excellence, and their fans expect nothing less year in and year out. Those very same ideals translate to the ultimate Pittsburgh Steelers Game Day Preview, a guide that all Steelers fans read weekly to learn everything they need to know about their team and weekly opponent!
Mike Drakulich, the man behind Pittsburgh SportsNation (@PghSportsNation), who covers both Pitt football and the Steelers for NGSC Sports, brings you inside the huddle for both teams providing all NFL fans with The PSN Game Commentary, Score Prediction, Broadcast Information, and a complete breakdown of each team.
#7 Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) at #2 Buffalo Bills (11-6)
NFL Super Wildcard Weekend
Vegas line: Buffalo -9.5
Game-time: Monday, January 15th, at 4:30 PM
Venue: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY.
- Field: A-Turf Titan 50
Weather at kickoff: 18, with a 50% of snow. Winds out of the SW at 10-20 MPH.
The Pittsburgh SportsNation Game Commentary
Four weeks ago, if you told someone from Pittsburgh that the Steelers make the playoffs and have a pretty good shot of winning their game, you’d likely be laughed out of the building.
The Steelers were at 7-7, fresh off a three game losing streak—two of them to 2-10 teams, and the last one a 30-13 beating at the hands of the Colts.
With starting quarterback Kenny Pickett injured, and Mitch Trubisky playing like… well, Mitch Trubisky, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin decided to give long forgotten Mason Rudolph a shot at starting against Cincinnati.
This is the same Mason Rudolph that tested the free agency waters and didn’t hear a peep back from one single team.
Pretty much everyone thought the season was a wrap for the Steelers.
Not Rudolph.
All Rudolph has done in his three starts is throw for 719 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Steelers (10-7) to three straight wins and having the Steelers offense averaging 27 points a game.
With the win over the Ravens last week, combined with Jacksonville losing to Tennessee, the Steelers enter the playoffs as the #7 seed, and face off against the white hot Buffalo Bills.
The Bills (11-6) secured the #2 seed and the AFC East Division crown after taking care of Miami last week 21-14, which was Buffalo’s fifth straight victory.
The game, previously scheduled for Sunday at 1:00 PM, will be played on Monday afternoon at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, NY. Kickoff is at 4:30 PM. The game was moved due to the winter storm expected Saturday through Sunday night.
Though the Bills are heavy favorites with a 9.5 point spread, it feels as if the team that makes the least mistakes and can run the ball more effectively will emerge from this game as the winner. Snow and wind gusts of 10-20 MPH will still affect the Buffalo region, with a blustery game time temperature of 19 degrees.
Interesting how the game at Arrowhead Stadium between Kansas City and Miami wasn’t moved, with temps expected to be as low as -30 with the wind chill.
Injuries could also play a pivotal role in this game, as the Steelers will be without their best defensive player in linebacker T.J. Watt, who suffered a knee injury late in the Ravens game. He is the only player that will miss the game for Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh defense will be bolstered by the return of Pro Bowl free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, and strong safety Damontae Kazee.
Nick Herbig, a promising rookie that has recorded 22 tackles and three sacks, will replace Watt.
The Bills will be without #2 wide receiver Gabe David and safety Taylor Rapp. Davis is 3rd on the team with 45 receptions and had seven touchdowns, while Rapp had 45 tackles, with one interception and a half sack. Buffalo lost their best linebacker in Matt Milano in November, and may also be missing LB Tyrel Dodson, who is listed as questionable along with corner Rasul Douglas. Dodson is 4th on the team with 70 tackles and has 2.5 sacks, while Rasul leads the team with four interceptions.
This game will be all about overcoming adversity, something that Rudolph has become quite familiar with.
“We’ve all had adversity,” said Rudolph. “I’ve had a fair share, and I think it’s made me better. It’s made me a better person. I think about some of the things that happened in ‘19, and it was quite a lot, but I’m grateful for that. It has made me a better man and a better leader, and it makes you more battle-tested.”
The key to this game will be the team that can run the ball more effectively. The Steelers defense will focus on keeping Bills quarterback Josh Allen under pressure when he does drop back to pass, combined with finding a way to keep him contained when he takes off running with the ball.
Allen has rushed for 524 yards and has 15 rushing touchdowns.
Allen has two great tight ends in Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox, and will likely utilize them within 10-15 yards with winds still expected to be gusty at times.
Kincaid is 2nd on the team with 73 receptions, while Dawson has 22 catches for 186 yards.
“When you watch him run, he’s really a smooth runner,” Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said of Kincaid. “He really catches the ball easily.”
Wide receiver Stephon Diggs, one of the best receivers in the league, is Allen’s favorite target, and is 7th in the NFL with 107 receptions.
Despite having eight touchdowns on the season, Diggs only has caught two in the past ten games.
Diggs will also face the challenge of going up against rookie sensation Joey Porter, Jr..
“This is something I always want to check off the list, playing in the playoffs. There’s no better way to do it in the playoffs versus a good team like that,” said Porter. “So, I’m going to do my job, and try to do it well, and put another guy on the list.
“He’s a good wide receiver that likes to talk. So I’m going to be ready for that.”
With Gabe Davis sidelined, Kalil Shakir will step into the #2 role, and could add to his already solid numbers of 39 receptions for 611 yards.
Running back James Cook will be heavily utilized both running and catching passes out of the backfield.
Cook has rushed for 1,122 yards, and caught 44 passes for 445 yards. His back-up, Latavius Murray is used as a hammer in short yardage and goal-line situations.
Though Rudolph has been the man the past three games, the Steelers will rely on the duo of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, who have formed one of the best tandems in the league.
Harris finished the season with 1,038 yards rushing, with Warren not far behind with 784 yards rushing of his own, as well as 61 receptions for 370 yards.
“We have such a commitment to the things we already need to do in the game,” Pittsburgh interim offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner said. “We need to run the ball, so we won’t change from that aspect.”
The Steelers are averaging 145.2 yards a game on the ground in their last 10 games.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott knows his defense has a big challenge ahead on Sunday.
“It starts with the mindset,” McDermott said. “You have to have that. That’s really where it starts. It’s a physical game, they’re a physical team. If we have to have a chance, we have to play physical. There’s no negotiating around it.”
Wide receivers George Pickens and Diontae Johnson are Rudolph’s top weapons in the passing game. Pickens is a dynamic playmaker with his size and speed, and leads the team with 63 receptions for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns. Johnson is quick and dangerous in the slot, and had 51 catches for 717 yards and five scores. Johnson had a 71 yard touchdown catch vs the Ravens last week that gave the Steelers the lead they’d never relinquish.
Tight end Pat Freiermuth could also play a huge role if utilized correctly across the middle of the field.
All in all, this game is going to be won by the team that makes the least mistakes and can out physical the opposing team.
Rudolph will also have to keep his poise in the pocket and hit some deep shots back off the Buffalo defense.
“Each game you get to play in the NFL is a freaking playoff game,” Rudolph said. “So, that’s the way I look at it. As a backup quarterback most of my career you’re very urgent. There’s a sense of urgency whenever you get to play, so that’s the approach.”
If Pittsburgh can get out to an early lead, the pressure will lie heavily upon the Bills, who entered the season with high Super Bowl expectations. Buffalo surely hasn’t forgotten about the 27-10 thumping the Bengals gave them last year at home in similar conditions.
“We don’t care about 10-point underdogs,” Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward said. “That’s for Vegas and all the other naysayers out there. We’re excited to have this opportunity. We understand being a 10-point underdog doesn’t decide the game. It’s in between the lines. It’s the team that executes. It’s the team that wins the turnover battle. It’s the one that wins the rushing battle. Those are the things that matter. The 10-point underdog is just a whole lot of nonsense to us.”
Call me crazy, but after all that has happened the past four weeks, nothing should surprise you anymore when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers. This team should be pretty loose coming into this game, and honestly, confident. The game being moved should be motivation as well, as it certainly favors the Bills now.
Allen is a special talent, but he is prone to making monumental mistakes, as evident by his 18 interceptions, the 2nd highest total in the league behind Sam Howell. A turnover in this game could be a game changer, and all Pittsburgh needs to steal the game.
Despite the game being moved to Monday, and the weather not being anywhere as bad, heck with it…
Upset Special: Harris has a big day rushing the ball, and Rudolph works his magic again and finds Pickens for a big touchdown. The Steelers defense gets a huge turnover and that will be the difference as Pittsburgh stuns Buffalo and advances to face Baltimore in the Divisional Playoffs.
Prediction: Steelers 24 Bills 20
Broadcast Information
TV: CBS (Local: KDKA-TV channel 802 on Xfinity)
- Announcers: Jim Nantz (play-by-play) Tony Romo and Jay Feely (analysts) | Tracy Wolfson (field reporter)
Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE-FM & 970 WBGG-AM
- Announcers: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play) Craig Wolfley (analyst) | Max Starks (sideline) Missi Matthews (sideline)
National Radio: Westwood One Sports
- Announcers: Tom McCarthy (play-by-play) Tony Boselli and Ryan Leaf (analysts)
Internet broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
NFL Links
Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 10-7 (3rd in AFC North)
Last Game: Steelers 17 Ravens 10
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin
- 17th Season with Steelers
- Overall regular-season record: 173-100-2
- Playoff record: 8-9 (Qualified for playoffs 11 times)
Team Links
- Pittsburgh Steelers Team Roster
- Steelers Team/Individual Statistics
- Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 Schedule
Steelers Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 17.9 (27th)
- Total yards per game: 319.5 (25th)
- Passing yards per game: 201.2 (27th)
- Rushing yards per game: 118.2 (13th)
QUARTERBACK
Mason Rudolph | #2
Rudolph has been nothing short of amazing in his three starts. Poised in the pocket and accurate with his passes, he has thrown for 719 yards and three touchdowns, with the offense averaging 27 points a game. Now Rudolph will have to work his magic once more, possibly in wintry conditions, to give the Steelers a chance to advance in the playoffs over the Bills.
Passing Yards: 719 | TD Passes: 3 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 6
Rushing Yards: 8 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Kenny Pickett | #8
Passing Yards: 2,070 | TD Passes: 6 | INT’s: 4 | Sacked: 23
Rushing Yards: 54 | Rushing TD’s: 1
RUNNING BACKS
Najee Harris | #22
Harris has formed a solid one-two punch along with Jaylen Warren in the Steelers rushing attack. Harris has been a man on a mission in the 2nd half of the season. Harris is tied for 4th in the NFL with rushes of 20 yards or more, and finished the season with 1,038 yards.
Rushing Yards: 1,038 | Rushing TD’s: 8
Receptions: 29 | Receiving Yards: 170 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Jaylen Warren | #30
Warren always finds a way to hit the hole and get positive yardage, and has become a major weapon both running the ball and catching passes out of the backfield.
Rushing Yards: 784 | Rushing TD’s: 4
Receptions: 61 | Receiving Yards: 370 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
Diontae Johnson | #18
Johnson missed four games earlier this season and is well below his normal yearly numbers, but is still a dangerous threat every time he touches the ball. Prone to goofy mistakes like running backwards after catches and very untimely fumbles at times, but the positives outweigh the negatives, most of the time.
Receptions: 51 | Receiving Yards: 717 | Receiving TD’s: 5
George Pickens | #14
Pickens lead the team with 63 receptions for 1,140 yards, and five touchdowns. After a few games where his heart was challenged, Pickens has been a terror with Rudolph throwing in his direction, the rain soaked affair vs the Ravens not withstanding.
Receptions: 63 | Receiving Yards: 1,140 | Receiving TD’s: 5
Allen Robinson II | #11
Robinson has picked up his play of late, and is a reliable option when thrown to.
Receptions: 34 | Receiving Yards: 280 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Calvin Austin III | #19
The shifty receiver could be utilized in a variety of ways in a competent offense, and those dreams have been realized of late with Austin seeing an uptick in running the ball, one carry resulting in a touchdown.
Receptions: 17 | Receiving Yards: 180 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Rushing Yards: 57 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Miles Boykin | #13
Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 17 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
Pat Freiermuth | #88
Has been up and down all season in getting the ball thrown his way. Needs to be an integral part of the passing game, especially across the middle and in the red zone.
Receptions: 32 | Receiving Yards: 308 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Conner Heyward | #83
Heyward makes the most of his opportunities when thrown to.
Receptions: 23 | Receiving Yards: 167 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Darnell Washington | #80
Has great size and could be a major asset in short yardage situations, especially in the red zone. Washington has become a devastating blocker in the run game.
Receptions: 7 | Receiving Yards: 61 | Receiving TD’s: 0
*Injured/Out
Steelers Defense (Base 3-4)
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 19.1 (6th)
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 342.1 (21st)
- Passing yards allowed: 227.1 (17th)
- Rushing yards allowed: 115.1 (19th)
- Sacks: 47 (9th)
- Interceptions: 16 (11th)
DEFENSIVE LINE
DT: Cam Heyward | #97
Tackles: 33 | Sacks: 2
NT: Keeanu Benton | #95
Tackles: 36 | Sacks: 1
DE: Larry Ogunjobi | #99
Tackles: 43 | Sacks: 3
LINEBACKERS
OLB: Nick Herbig | #51
Tackles: 22 | Sacks: 3
ILB: Elandon Roberts | #50
Tackles: 101 | Sacks: 2.5 | INT: 1
ILB: Myles Jack | #16
Tackles: 17 | Sacks: 1
OLB: Alex Highsmith | #56
Tackles: 57 | Sacks: 7 | INT: 1 | TD: 1
SECONDARY
CB: Joey Porter, Jr. | #24
Tackles: 42 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
FS: Minkah Fitzpatrick | #39
Tackles: 64| Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Damontae Kazee | #23
Tackles: 61 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 2
CB: Patrick Peterson | #20
Tackles: 42 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 2
Steelers Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Chris Boswell | #9
Extra Points: 27-28
Field Goals: 28-30
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 9-9
- 30-39 yards: 7-7
- 40-49 yards: 7-8
- 50+ yards: 6-7
KICKOFF RETURNER
Godwin Igwebuike | #48
Average: 25.6 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Calvin Austin III | #19
Average: 8.6 | TD Returns: 0
Scouting the Buffalo Bills
Overall record: 11-6 (1st in AFC East)
Last game: Bills 21 Dolphins 14
Head Coach: Sean McDermott
- 7th Season with Buffalo
- Overall regular-season record: 73-41
- Playoff Record: 4-5
Team Links
Buffalo Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 26.5 (6th)
- Total Offense per game: 383.4 (6th)
- Passing yards per game: 253.3 (10th)
- Rushing yards per game: 130.1 (7th)
QUARTERBACK
Josh Allen | #17
One of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL, Allen has a cannon for an arm, and is equally dangerous when he takes off running with the ball. His biggest problem is forced throws that have resulted in 18 interceptions, 2nd most in the league.
Passing Yards: 4,306 | TD Passes: 29 | INT’s: 18 | Sacked: 24
Rushing Yards: 524 | Rushing TD’s: 15
Back-up: Kyle Allen | #9
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
James Cook | #4
Talented back with speed and agility. Gains plenty of yards, but doesn’t find the endzone too often. Good threat catching passes out of the backfield, with 44 receptions for 445 yards.
Rushing Yards: 1,122 | Rushing TD’s: 2
Receptions: 44 | Receiving Yards: 445 | TD’s: 2
Latavius Murray | #28
Murray sees time as a change of pace back to Cook, often in short yardage situations and near the endzone.
Rushing Yards: 300 | Rushing TD’s: 4
Receptions: 17 | Receiving Yards: 119 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Ty Johnson | #26
Rushing Yards: 132 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 7 | Receiving Yards: 62 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Leonard Fournette | #5
Rushing Yards: 40 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
Reggie Gilliam | #41
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 3 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
Stephon Diggs | #14
Allen’s top target in the passing attack, leading the team with 107 receptions. Has been quiet in his last 10 games with only two touchdown catches.
Receptions: 107 | Receiving Yards: 1,183 | Receiving TD’s: 8
Gabe Davis* | #13
Davis is the #2 receiver behind Diggs, and is 2nd on the team with seven touchdown catches, but is out for this game.
Receptions: 45 | Receiving Yards: 746 | Receiving TD’s: 7
Kalil Shakir | #10
With Davis sidelines, should see an uptick in passes thrown his way, if the weather permits it.
Receptions: 39 | Receiving Yards: 611 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Deonte Harty | #11
Receptions: 15 | Receiving Yards: 150 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Trent Sherfield | #16
Receptions: 11 | Receiving Yards: 86 | Receiving TD’s: 1
TIGHT ENDS
Dalton Kincaid | #86
Next to Diggs, Kincaid is an integral part of the Bills passing game, seemingly coming up with a big catch every time Allen needs him to make a play. With Davis out, will be the biggest threat next to Diggs if Allen is able to pass in windy game conditions.
Receptions: 73 | Receiving Yards: 673 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Dawson Knox | #88
Knox is another talented tight end used in the Buffalo passing game.
Receptions: 22 | Receiving Yards: 186 | Receiving TD’s: 2
Quintin Morris | #85
Receptions: 2 | Receiving Yards: 26 | Receiving TD’s: 1
*Injured/out
Buffalo Defense (Base 4-3)
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 18.3 (4th)
- Total offense yards per game allowed: 307.2 (9th)
- Passing yards allowed: 196.6 (7th)
- Rushing yards allowed: 110.6 (15th)
- Sacks: 53 (4th)
- Interceptions: 18 (3rd)
DEFENSIVE LINE
DE: Greg Rousseau | #50
Tackles: 42 | Sacks: 5
DT: Ed Oliver | #91
Tackles: 51 | Sacks: 9.5 | INT: 1
DT: DaQuan Jones | #92
Tackles: 16 | Sacks: 2.5
DE: Leonard Floyd | #56
Tackles: 32 | Sacks: 10.5
LINEBACKERS
WLB: Tyrel Dodson | #25
Tackles: 70 | Sacks: 2.5 | INT: 0
MLB: Terrel Bernard | #43
Tackles: 143 | Sacks: 6.5 | INT: 3
SLB: Dorian Williams | #42
Tackles: 35 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SECONDARY
CB: Taron Johnson | #7
Tackles: 98 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 0
SS: Jordan Poyer | #21
Tackles: 100 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 0
FS: Micah Hyde | #23
Tackles: 54 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 2
CB: Rasul Douglas | #31
Tackles: 29 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 4
*Injured/out
Buffalo Special Teams
PLACEKICKER
Tyler Bass | #2
Extra Points: 50-51
Field Goals: 31-36
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 4-4
- 30-39 yards: 12-13
- 40-49 yards: 4-6
- 50+ yards: 4-6
KICKOFF RETURNER
Kalil Shakir | #10
Average: 19.6 | TD Returns: 0
PUNT RETURNER
Kalil Shakir | #10
Average: 7.4 | TD Returns: 1
Steelers vs Bills History
Series History: Began in 1970
Overall Record: 17-12
- Home: 10-3
- Away: 7-9
- Postseason: 2-1
Streak: Bills won the last game.
Last regular-season meeting: Bills Win, 38-3 (Oct. 9, 2023)
Last postseason meeting: Steelers Win, 40-21 (Jan. 6, 1996)
Injury Report (1/12/24)
Pittsburgh Steelers
IR: S Keanu Neal, S Trenton Thompson, LB Kwon Alexander, LB Cole Holcomb
Out: LB T.J. Watt (knee)
Doubtful: None
Questionable: None
Buffalo Bills
IR: LB Matt Milano, CB Tre’Davious White, DT Jordan Phillips
Out: WR Gabe Davis (Knee), S Taylor Rapp (Calf)
Doubtful: None
Questionable: LB Tyrel Dodson (Shoulder), CB Rasul Douglas (Knee)
NFL Playoff Predictions
AFC
#7 Steelers over #2 Buffalo
#3 Kansas City over #6 Miami
#5 Cleveland over #4 Houston
NFC
#2 Dallas over #7 Green Bay
#3 Detroit over # 6 LA Rams
#4 Tampa Bay over #5 Philadelphia
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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.
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