The NFL playoffs get underway with Wild Card weekend. The most surprising matchup of the first weekend takes place Sunday afternoon as the Buffalo Bills host the Pittsburgh Steelers. With a few weeks left in the season, both teams looked to be sitting on the outside of the playoffs. But some late wins put both teams in the playoffs, and both have momentum at the right time. Let’s preview the Steelers and Bills.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Going into the final week of the season, the Steelers had the hardest road to making the playoffs. Pittsburgh had to win and needed help along the way. Once the Texans beat the Colts, the Steelers became reliant on a loss by either the Jaguars or Bills. Jacksonville’s season finale loss put Pittsburgh in the playoffs. Then, Buffalo’s win over Miami set up this matchup.
Pittsburgh struggled on offense most of the season. However, the Steelers defense stepped up in key moments all season long. Kenny Pickett started the year under center, but an injury forced Pittsburgh to turn to Mitchell Trubisky. After Trubisky struggled in three consecutive losses, the Steelers turned to Mason Rudolph. Pittsburgh’s third quarterback of the season led the team to three consecutive wins, a 10-7 record that keeps Mike Tomlin’s streak on winning seasons alive and a playoff berth.
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills were the trendy pick to win the AFC East for the fourth consecutive year at the beginning of the season. However, the season started out tough as Buffalo lost to the Jets in the season opener even after New York starting QB Aaron Rodgers was lost on the first series of the season. Buffalo’s struggles continued as they would lose games to other struggling teams and after 12 games were sitting 6-6 outside the playoffs.
But, like Pittsburgh, the Bills got hot at the right time. Buffalo reeled off five wins in a row, including three against playoff teams, to clinch the division and number two seed in the final game of the season. That was also important for the Steelers as that Bills-Dolphins game determined whether Pittsburgh traveled to Buffalo or Kansas City for Wild Card weekend.
Steelers vs. Bills Prediction
Pittsburgh finished the season 10-7 but went 5-3 on the road. The Steelers played eight games against opponents in the playoffs going 5-3 in those games. That includes a sweep of the AFC number one overall seed Baltimore Ravens, however it should be noted Baltimore rested its starters in the final game of the season. Mike Tomlin named Mason Rudolph the starter for Sunday’s game, but the team also ruled out star defensive player T.J. Watt who was injured in the finale against the Ravens.
The Bills finished the season 11-6 on the season but seven of those eleven wins came in the friendly confines of Buffalo. The Bills played six games against opponents in the playoffs winning five of them including a sweep of the division rival Miami Dolphins. This game is set up perfectly for Buffalo. I’m picking the Bills to win.
Final score prediction – Buffalo Bills 35 | Pittsburgh Steelers 17
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