Steelers: Defense Needs to Take Advantage of Inconsistent Bills Passing Attack
By Chris Ross
The Pittsburgh Steelers face a tough test in Week 15 against the Buffalo Bills, but Pittsburgh’s feisty defense could have a huge day.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills will play on Sunday Night Football in a game that has major playoff implications for both teams. For the Bills, a win cements their spot in the playoffs, while the Steelers need to win to strengthen their position as the AFC’s sixth seed. Both teams are tough, talented squads that have surpassed almost all expectations, and as a result, the Steelers must be at their best to have any chance of beating a Buffalo team that is looking to make a statement. With that in mind, there is one thing Pittsburgh can do to all but ensure they come away with the Week 15 win – shut down Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
In a league where young quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes garner most of the headlines, Allen has been overlooked as one of the league’s most promising young arms. After a rookie season in which he showed flashes but battled with accuracy and decision-making issues, Allen has emerged in his second season as a much more accurate thrower and a leader within Buffalo’s locker room. That said, he is still prone to having wildly inconsistent games, something Pittsburgh’s elite defense could take advantage of.
The Steelers, who have had one of the league’s best defenses for most of the season, have a golden opportunity to flex their might in Week 15. The pass-rush, lead by T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree has made plenty of quarterbacks uncomfortable this season, and that should continue with a matchup against Buffalo’s shaky offensive line. Meanwhile, a secondary with Minkah Fitzpatrick and a rejuvenated Joe Haden looks primed to take advantage of a rushed Allen that seems likely to make a few ill-advised throws.
Ultimately, the Pittsburgh Steelers face a must-win scenario in Week 15, and the first step toward securing that win will be to take advantage of Buffalo’s up-and-down quarterback. The Steelers defense has carried them this far, let’s hope they can lead this team to victory once again.