Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 Bold predictions vs. Bills, Week 15
By Samuel Teets
The Pittsburgh Steelers continue leaning on their defense for support as they cling to the final playoff spot in the AFC.
The Pittsburgh Steelers continue winning games despite being riddled by offensive injuries and possessing one of the worst offenses in football. Facing the 9-4 Buffalo Bills this week, Pittsburgh cannot afford a half-hearted performance.
The Bills are coming off of a loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Only one game and a tiebreaker behind the New England Patriots, the Bills have a legitimate chance to win the AFC East. That sounds just about as weird as I thought it would, but considering New England’s current state, Buffalo could win its first AFC East title since 1995.
On the other hand, Pittsburgh needs to keep winning to stay in the playoff picture. In a clash of defensive teams, it’s anyone’s game in Week 15. And here are three bold predictions for the Steelers in this game.
3. Pittsburgh posts more rushing than passing yards
The Steelers need some creative offensive solutions to deal with Buffalo’s defense. The Bills are third in total yards, third in passing yards, and 14th in rushing yards on defense. They allow 191.5 passing yards and 105.3 rushing yards per game. The Steelers won’t get near 200 passing yards against Buffalo.
Right now, Pittsburgh is passing for 195.5 yards per game, the second–fewest in the NFL, and rushing for 94.6 yards per game, the ninth-fewest in the league. Combine those two categories, and you get the 28th offense in terms of yards per game this season. That’s terrible.
While expecting the Steelers to accumulate more rushing yards than passing yards might seem odd, it tells you about my expectations for Pittsburgh’s offense against the Bills. Even if James Conner and JuJu Smith-Schuster return, Buffalo has an elite, playoff-caliber defense. The Steelers have an offense that would put them in the race for Joe Burrow if not for their great defense.