7 things to know about the Bills’ Week 15 opponent, the Steelers

Seven things to know about the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Buffalo Bills’ Week 15 opponent.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Led by their defense

Enough of this talk about the offense, this Steelers team is led by their outstanding defense. Overall, the Steelers have the No. 5 overall defense in the NFL, allowing 310.9 yards per game. Buffalo is third at 296.8. But that’s just the start.

The Steelers are a takeaway machine. Their plus-12 turnover differential is second-best in the NFL (Patriots-19) and overall their 33 takeaways as a defense is the best in the league. This might sound like a successful secondary, and it’s true, but the Bills offensive line is in for a massive test this week.

Sitting in a tied for the third-most sacks in the NFL with 12.5 this season is pass rusher TJ Watt. He’s also Pro Football Focus’ top-ranked edge defender with a 90.8 overall grade so far this season. Across from him is Bud Dupree, PFF’s 20th best edge defender, who has 13 tackles for loss, fourth-most in the NFL. And that’s just the two on the edges. On the inside of their defensive line is Cameron Heyward, Stephon Tuitt, and Javon Hargrace. PFF ranks them the second, fourth and ninth best interior linemen in the NFL, respectively, and they’re all on the same line.

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