Underdogs Pittsburgh Steelers Face Uphill Battle Against Buffalo Bills in Wild Card Matchup
ICARO Media Group
Entering the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs, an intriguing matchup awaits, as the Pittsburgh Steelers, the No. 7 seed, go head-to-head against the No. 2 seed Buffalo Bills. However, according to CBS Sports' Will Brunson, this game is being regarded as the worst matchup of the weekend, with the possibility of a blowout looming over the Steelers.
Despite the Steelers playing with house money and the exciting storyline of Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and Bills head coach Sean McDermott both attending William & Mary, the absence of star outside linebacker T.J. Watt, due to an MCL sprain, could spell trouble for the Steelers' defense.
Sunday's 1 p.m. game at Highmark Stadium promises to be an intriguing matchup. The Steelers have shown tremendous improvement in their offensive game, utilizing a strong running attack and receiving impressive performances from quarterback Mason Rudolph, who has delivered numerous big plays through the air in recent weeks.
Pittsburgh seems to have found their offensive rhythm, which is a positive sign for their chances against the Bills. However, the loss of T.J. Watt to a knee injury, suffered during the regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens, is a significant blow. Watt's absence will be deeply felt, as his disruptive presence off the edge will be sorely missed by the Steelers' defense opposite Alex Highsmith.
There is a glimmer of hope that Watt may attempt to play with a knee brace, but his effectiveness may be limited. Fortunately for the Steelers, they do possess reliable depth options in veteran Markus Golden and rookie Nick Herbig.
Nonetheless, going up against star Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen without the game-changing abilities of T.J. Watt will pose a daunting challenge for the Steelers. It's worth noting that Allen led the Bills to a commanding 38-3 victory over the Steelers last season, emphasizing the potential difficulty Pittsburgh may face.
CBS Sports' Brunson points out that if Allen can minimize turnovers, the Bills could potentially dominate and secure a blowout victory. Nevertheless, the Steelers are entering the game as underdogs, having secured a postseason spot thanks to the Jacksonville Jaguars' failures on Sunday.
The Steelers have been thriving as underdogs in the last three weeks, as they have captured three consecutive wins and displayed some of their best offensive performances of the season. This newfound identity and success on offense provide encouragement for Pittsburgh as they face off against the Bills.
Furthermore, their proficiency in the run game bodes well for them, especially in adverse weather conditions such as a potential snowfall in Buffalo on Sunday. The Steelers excel in gritty, hard-fought football games, and adverse weather conditions may work to their advantage.
Despite being overlooked by some in the national media due to the perceived mismatch, the Steelers historically flourish when flying under the radar. This lack of attention may fuel their determination to prove their skeptics wrong and make a statement against the Bills.
As the Steelers prepare to take on the Bills in the Wild Card matchup, the odds may be stacked against them, but they remain resilient and ready to embrace the challenge. A victory over the formidable Bills would not only bolster their confidence but also cement their status as true contenders in the playoffs.