Tag: bills steelers

Lorenzo Alexander says Bills need to clinch sooner rather than later

Buffalo Bills LB Lorenzo Alexander says his team needs to clinch playoff berth sooner rather than later.

The Bills have three games to get it right. Once Buffalo wins one more game this season, they’ll clinch a second playoff berth in three seasons.

Veteran linebacker Lorenzo Alexander says the waiting game could be a deadly game, though.

The Bills (9-4) start their final three-game slate against the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5) on Sunday Night Football. Then there’s the Patriots, then there’s the Jets.

But the focus is on the Steelers, who are also in a Wild Card spot with tthe Bills, and nothing more, Alexander says.

The team captain said in his 13 years in the NFL, he’s seen this same scenario not turn out right for teams.

“Anytime you have this opportunity, you really don’t want to take it for granted,” Alexander told reporters. “You want to take hold of it and grab it and really try to achieve it as soon as possible.

“I’ve seen some crazy things where a team was supposed to go [to the playoffs] and they find their way out of it because they kind of relax and think have three games.”

Alexander wasn’t referencing his own organization, but the Bills’ history shows a team that has done just that before. A win would’ve gotten them in late in a season, but Buffalo loses. While Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott recognized that team history this week, he says his team is preparing to face the Steelers and that’s it. The past is the past and that’s the mentality he’s passing onto his team.

“Those past failures, not many of us were here. We certainly respect the past, but our eyes are set on the future,” McDermott said.

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Steelers’ QB Devlin Hodges says ducks play better in cold

The Bills will face a mostly unknown commodity at quarterback on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers in quarterback Devlin Hodges.

The Bills will face a mostly unknown commodity at quarterback on Sunday against Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Devlin Hodges.

The all-time leader in passing yards in the FCS level of college football, Hodges played for Samford University in Alabama before suited up for the black and gold this season. He signed with the Steelers as an undrafted rookie free agent following the 2019 NFL draft.

That hasn’t stopped the Kimberly, Ala., native from starting his career with a surprising 3-0 record, though. But this week in the Bills he faces something he hasn’t often faced down south. The cold.

The longterm weather forecast shows a high of 37 and a low of 26 on Sunday so look for the temps to fall somewhere in between.

Playing off his nickname this week, which is “Duck,” the quarterback downplayed the idea of playing in the winter weather up north.

“We’ve had some cold days back home, obviously a little different. Just something to adjust to,” Hodges said. “Usually ducks like it when it’s a little colder anyway, so sounds good.”

But on a more serious note, Hodges knows the real test he’ll face this week is in the Bills defense. Currently the No. 4 defense in the league just behind the Bills, Hodges did defeat the Chargers earlier this year. But he wasn’t overly impressive as he only had 132 passing yards and his touchdown pass was a dump off to running back James Conners which he took 20-plus yards for a score. Having said that, the Bills themselves will respect Hodges’ abilities, but like he said, he’s doing the same for Buffalo’s defense.

“[Buffalo’s defense is] just a solid group. They’ve got really good players just all around, I don’t know if there’s anything they do that’s special, they’re just one of those solid, solid defenses that comes each and every week,” Hodges said.

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Facing brothers about more than bragging rights for Tremaine Edmunds

Buffalo Bills LB Tremaine Edmunds on facing his brothers, Terrell and Trey, who play for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It’s well documented by now, but for the first time since 1927, the three brothers will be playing in the same game this weekend.

Tremaine Edmunds will lead the Bills defense to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers. There, he’ll see his brothers, Terrell and Trey Edmunds.

Of course, there’s the brotherly bragging rights on the line.

“Once game time comes, I know we’re going to be competitive out there,” Tremaine Edmunds said.

But much of what the Bills’ brother was focused on this week while speaking to reporters was how special the moment will be for his family.

“It’s great, it’s kind of hard for me to put into words because it’s been a lifelong dream of ours. Just being on this stage, playing on primetime against my brothers, what more could you ask for? What more could you ask for as a family? We’re excited about going out there and displaying our talents to the world,” Edmunds said.

As things oft-go with close aged-brothers. The three always played on the same team. That was the case at Virginia Tech as Trey (24), Terrell (22) and Tremaine (21) all played for the Hokies. Trey Edmunds transferred to Maryland eventually, but until Sunday it’ll be the first time Tremaine is playing against any of his siblings.

While the enemy this week, Tremaine Edmunds did acknowledge this game wouldn’t even be taking place without the pair on the other sideline, for reasons going way back.

“Everybody just, I think, needs somebody to push them to that next level… That’s one thing I think that we all did with each other, we always pushed each other, no matter what it was,” Tremaine Edmunds said. “Without them, me being the youngest, without them showing me the right way, it really would’ve been hard for me.”

Trey Edmunds echoed that this week, but in a more playful manner.

“There are no words to describe how competitive we were growing up. We competed in everything,” He told his team’s website. “Whether it was on the field, the basketball court, soccer, track, who could get to dinner the fastest. Everything was a competition. I think it kind of was bred in us and put us in the position where we are now.”

Regardless of winners or losers in this family reunion, it’s still the season of giving during a special time of year. So Terrell Edmunds said the brothers are going to do what they think might be a first ever in NFL history.

A three-way jersey swap, somehow.

“Tremaine is going to have two jerseys,” said Terrell Edmunds. “It’s something not too many people can say they played with their brother on the same team, or against their brother, something crazy.”

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Bills offensive line recognizes test ahead in Steelers

Buffalo Bills C Mitch Morse, OL Quinton Spain, coach Sean McDermott on Pittsburgh Steelers defense.

The Bills offensive line struggled against the Baltimore Ravens last week. Upcoming in Week 15, an even bigger test might be awaiting in the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen was hit 12 times, sacked six times, and the Ravens had 12 total tackles for loss. With all those numbers in mind, here’s another: The Steelers have 48 sacks, the most in the NFL. That could be a problem.

Reflecting back on Wednesday, Bills center Mitch Morse said the type of game the Bills played last week is the type that causes some self-reflection.

“I think there’s definitely some good parts to the game, but you can’t let that clout what we have to work on,” Morse told reporters. “It’s always easier to find excuses outside of yourself for things that go array. You’ve got to look internally and there’s a lot that I can work on and learn on.”

Buffalo has a lot to work on looking at the film from Sunday against Baltimore. But lineman Quinton Spain things there’s a bit of a formula that might work well for the Steelers.

Spain said the Bills need to establish a running game early, which will then allow the Bills to open things up offensively.

“We’ve got to establish the run, that’s going to open up the passing protection,” Spain said. “We’ve got to do our job. They call the play, five man, six man, seven man protection, eight man protection, we just have got to hold up and let Josh (Allen) do what he’s got to do.”

That being said, it’s much easier said than done. Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott knows that and said the Steelers will certainly have looked at the tape from last week.

“It’s a copycat league and we try and respect that as well, and make sure that we are dotting our I’s and crossing our T’s as relates to some of the challenges that we faced,” McDermott said. “We’ve got to make sure that we continue to grow specific to what happened [against the Ravens].”

And as mentioned, it’s not going to be easy by any stretch against the likes of TJ Watt, Bud Depree and the rest of the Steelers’ strong front-seven.

“They got great guys up there. They got Pro Bowlers, they’ve got All-Pros in that front-seven,” Spain said. “We’ve got to do our job a dominate the game.”

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Bills at Steelers: Wednesday injury reports

Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers injury reports on Wednesday ahead of Week 15 meeting.

Here are the first full injury report for the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers, ahead of their Week 15 meeting at Heinz Field on Sunday Night Football:

Buffalo Bills (9-4)

Did not practice

  • DT Corey Liuget (knee)
  • OL Ty Nsekhe (ankle)

Notes:

Ty Nsekhe has now miss three-straight games for the Bills.

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5)

Did not practice

  • RB Jaylen Samuel (groin)
  • TE Vance McDonald (concussion)

Notes:

Both RB James Conner and WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) were listed as full participants in Wednesday’s practice for the Steelers which indicates they’re both on track to play vs. the Bills. … Vance McDonald was injured last week against the Cardinals. … Along with Benny Snell, Jaylen Samuels has filled-in while Conner has been sidelined with a shoulder injury.

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5 storylines to watch for during Bills at Steelers

The Buffalo Bills and Steelers will play a big-time, primetime game in Week 15 as the two AFC opponents will faceoff in a pivotal late season contest. 

The Buffalo Bills and Steelers will play a big-time, primetime game in Week 15 as the two AFC opponents will faceoff in a pivotal late season contest.

Sunday Night Football will bear down on the Bills this week, and while Buffalo fell to the Ravens last week, they certainly held their own against the Cowboys during their Thanksgiving primetime showcase.

With that, here are five storylines to follow as the Bills take on the Steelers:

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Playoff implications on Sunday night

As mentioned, the Bills will have to handle their business in front of more eyes than usual this week. Buffalo and Pittsburgh will wrap up the Sunday slate of football at Heinz Field just a short drive from western New York. There should be a decent showing of Bills fans, and the team itself can be confident in their primetime abilities. Not only did they beat the Cowboys on the road, they also did so in the most watched Thanksgiving Day game in a couple of years. A lot of eyes saw that Bills team.

But this time around this one some huge playoff implications. The 8-5 Steelers host the 9-4 Bills. A win and the Bills are in. A win and the Steelers jump the Bills and hit the first Wild Card spot. For head-to-head purposes and their own fates, this game is massive for both sides.

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Sean McDermott not concerned with Bills’ past late-season failures

The Bills have a rich history, but some of it is overshadowed by more recent lapses.

The Bills have a rich history, but some of it is overshadowed by more recent lapses.

Buffalo’s football team most recently made the postseason in 2017, the first year Sean McDermott was the bench boss. The 2017 Bills had to win in their final game to get there, but they now famously needed help from an Andy Dalton miracle.

This season, with three games left, it’s a win-and-in scenario for the Bills. Their future is completely in their own hands and in the past, the Bills organization hasn’t always handled that well.

Despite that, no pressure says the coach.

“Those past failures, not many of us were here. We certainly respect the past, but our eyes are set on the future,” McDermott said on Wednesday.

Plenty of current Bills players will likely more recently remember 2017 and won’t be concerned with the past, either. Many big-time contributors for the Bills were there in 2017, huddled together, watching Dalton help snap a two-decade playoff drought for the Bills.

With the pressures of cracking the longest postseason drought in North American sports history in mind, what’s pressure, anyway? That was a tall task that many thought impossible at the start of the 2017 season, but it happened.

And let’s not forget, even thought the final stretch of Bills football this year includes some tough tasks with the Steelers, Patriots and Jets, that’s still three cracks at it. Three strikes and the Bills are out, there’s still plenty of pitches to come their way.

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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.

The Bills earned another primetime football slot this season in their Week 15 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which will take place on Sunday Night Football.

Like any late-season AFC battle for a team with a winning record, this one is important. Win and the Bills are in the playoffs. But the Steelers have plenty of reason to fight, too.

With that, here are seven things to know about the Bills’ Week 15 opponent, the Steelers:

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Samuels. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Hot streak puts Pitt in Wild Card battle

Sure, the Bills are in the Wild Card battle. But so are the Steelers.

After a 0-3 start to the season, the Steelers have gotten red hot and at the right time. No easy late games for the Bills, apparently.

Pittsburgh has won seven of their last eight games at sit with eight wins overall, right behind the Bills, who have nine. With that in mind, the Steelers enter the game as the second Wild Card holder in the AFC, with the Bills holding the first one. The winner will hold the fifth-seed in the playoffs after this one. For Buffalo a win will lock up a playoff berth with two games remaining as well.

Included in that hot streak is a promising record on their home turf, too. The Steelers are 5-2 at home this season.

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Oddsmakers: Steelers favored over Bills on SNF

Odds, spread, money line, over/ under for NFL Week 15 between the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Bills will be the underdog in their first Sunday Night Football game since 2007 when the team takes the short drive down to Pittsburgh to visit the Steelers in Week 15.

According to BetMGM, the Bills are two-point underdogs for the game.

Per some reports, the Bills actually opened as favorites, by as much as one point, but things quickly changed.

The outing also has the current lowest over/ under total of the NFL’s entire Week 15 slate at 36.5 and the only one in the NFL below 40. The Steelers are 5-2 at home this season and Week 15 is already their final game at home for the 2019 regular season.

The money line sits at Bills +115and Steelers -135.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Bills playoff picture: Steelers’ James Conner returns to practice

The Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers are holding your first and second AFC wild card slots, respectively, heading into Week 11. 

The Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers are holding your first and second AFC wild card slots, respectively, heading into Week 11.

Running back James Conner is going to play a big part in that.

The Steelers and Cleveland Browns will open Week 11 on Thursday Night Football. It’s looking like Conner will return from a shoulder injury. He’s one of the primer rusher in the NFL.

Along with Conner, offensive lineman Ramon Foster (concussion) is also expected to return to the Steelers’ fold. He’s their starting guard.

With the Baltimore Ravens having a strangle hold on the AFC North at this time at 7-2, the Steelers and Bills, with the AFC East leading New England Patriots also in mind, are two teams that will be squarely facing off in the wild card battle.

The Bills and Steelers will also faceoff against one another in Week 15 in Pittsburgh.

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