The Bills visit the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15 at Heinz Field. To learn more about Sunday’s opponent, Bills Wire spoke to Curt Popejoy, Steelers Wire’s managing editor, to learn more about the Steelers:
The Bills visit the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15 at Heinz Field. To learn more about Sunday’s opponent, Bills Wire spoke to Curt Popejoy, Steelers Wire’s managing editor, to learn more about the Steelers:
Who is this man Duck and what can you tell us about his game?
He’s just your normal undrafted rookie FCS quarterback who is leading his team into the playoffs. Honestly, he’s far exceeded any reasonable expectations. He’s athletic and confident and has a really strong arm. He’s got a great grasp of the offense and the guys play hard for him.
JuJu Smith-Schuster & James Conner might play n this one. How big of an impact will those two potentially make on this game?
Count me among those who aren’t terribly excited to have those guys just fall into starting jobs when they are healthy. Part of the reason the offense is playing better is the guys have chemistry. I don’t want to see that disrupted.
Note: Smith-Schuster has been ruled OUT by the Steelers on Friday.
Bring us back to the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade. Compare how it was viewed at the time to now?
At the time it looked like the Steelers might have overpaid because Pittsburgh was eyeing a Top 5 pick to some. But the team’s improvement has been too significant for anyone to criticize. Fitzpatrick is playing as well as any defensive back in the league and is the key reason this defense has improved so much.
This Steelers front-seven seems pretty legit. How can they be beat?
If I were trying to move the ball on the Steelers front seven, I’d run run at them. With Stephon Tuitt out, the middle of the defensive line is more about rushing the passer than it is defending the run. I wouldn’t try to get wide because they are too fast. As far as passing the ball, crossing routes seem to be the best way to confuse the linebackers in coverage. But if you don’t do it quick that pass rush can do work.
Finally, what’s your prediction for Sunday?
I originally thought Buffalo would be too much offense for the Steelers to keep up with. But with each week that Hodges plays better the gap closes. And with the game being in Pittsburgh and in prime time, I’m leaning to Pittsburgh, team of destiny. Steelers 24, Bills 17.
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.
It’s hard not to enjoy the confidence and focus Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Devlin Hodges carries himself with. For an undrafted rookie out of an FCS school, Hodges has stepped up big time for the Steelers this season.
This week Hodges will face his stiffest challenge yet when he and the Steelers welcome the Buffalo Bills to town for a primetime showdown with massive playoff implications on the line.
But for Hodges, it’s all about this game and it’s only the more important because it is the next game they play. Hodges also dismissed any concerns about playing in cold weather on Sunday night noting that ducks like it better when it’s 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.
Hodges is 3-0 as a starter which is a remarkable number for an undrafted rookie. But you can see him getting more and more comfortable with the offense and the coaches keep putting more and more on his plate.
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.
The Steelers have gotten some excellent play from Devlin Hodges.
The run the Pittsburgh Steelers has been on has been nothing short of amazing. It has been a real testament to not only the coaching staff but the players as well. No player has stepped up bigger than quarterback Devlin Hodges. The undrafted rookie out of Samford has three wins in three starts and has shown significant improvement every week.
But with Ben Roethlisberger coming back from an elbow injury you have to wonder what the future holds. The Steelers have Mason Rudolph but he ended up getting benched. Looking to the future, if Hodges the man to replace Big Ben?
My observations and reactions to the Pittsburgh Steelers week 14 win against the Arizona Cardinals.
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Steelers took care of business against a competitive Arizona Cardinals team in week 14. The defense continued to roll holding their fifth straight opponent to 21 or fewer points. Devlin Hodges turned in an efficient performance and became the first rookie undrafted free-agent quarterback to win his first three starts. The Steelers have won seven of their last eight games and control their playoff destiny. Here are my gut reactions:
Beating the Odds
It was good to see the Steelers actually get to play with a lead. The offensive game plan was still conservative, Hodges finished with 16 completions and a touchdown on 19 attempts, but that was good enough for a win. Just as important as Hodges 152 passing yards was the fact that he didn’t turn the ball over.
Hodges’ contributions as a rusher shouldn’t be overlooked either. He scrambled five times for 34 yards and ironically outrushed counterpart Kyler Murray. Hodges an undrafted free agent beat the first overall draft pick at his own game, but his solid performance was overshadowed by Dionte Johnson’s breakout day.
There’s no reason the Steelers should be in the playoff hunt, but here we are.
Jack Handy has deep thoughts. I just tell it like it is.
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Devlin “Duck” Hodges has become the latest beloved athlete that plays in Pittsburgh, a place that embraces those who come out of nowhere to lead their teams to unlikely victories.
The Pirates in the early ’90s had Tim Wakefield and his knuckleball almost lead the Buccos to the 1992 World Series. Penguins fans had Johan Hedberg, nicknamed “Moose” after starting a game in Pittsburgh on late notice and was still wearing his customized Manitoba Moose helmet. Moose calls and Moose antlers became a staple at Mellon Arena.
Duckmania has overtaken Steeler Nation, but not everyone has hopped on board for him or the 7-5 Steelers.
One well-known radio shock jock called Hodges a “jabroni” and that Hodges had “zero talent, no pedigree and a rag arm”.
Other writers and radio hosts continue to give Hodges barely any credit for what he has been able to accomplish during his rookie season with the Steelers. Only a few have given him any praise at all.
The same goes for the Steelers, who even though are currently the #6 seed for the AFC playoffs.
Once Ben Roethlisberger went down for the season with his elbow injury, that same host on the afternoon shift, reiterated week by week, “No Ben, no chance”.
Many in the local media continue to doubt how it’s possible the Steelers can possibly make the playoffs, despite, you know, winning seven out of their last eight games.
I know it’s hard to look past the QB position after watching a future Hall of Famer in Roethlisberger man the spot since 2004, and that this team is only scoring 19.7 points per game, but what the hell is scoring 28.3 PPG doing for Tampa Bay so far this season?
How does this team keep winning despite the injuries? How on earth are they in a position to make the playoffs??
I don’t know… maybe it’s because this team has one of the best defenses in the NFL. It has one of the best offensive lines in the game. Have any of these simpletons actually looked at the standings and the teams contending for a playoff spot along with the Steelers, and the schedules they all have?
Pretty much, the offense is asked to score about 20 points per game, protect the ball, and the defense will take care of the rest.
It’s working so far.
Now, no one is confusing this Steelers team with the Super Steelers of the ’70s, or the ’84 San Francisco 49ers, but they are nowhere near as bad as many are making them out to be, especially when mentioning making the playoffs and having zero chance to win a game in them.
Last I checked, this is the same team, minus Big Ben, that should have beaten three of the best teams in the NFL, that being the Seattle Seahawks, 49ers, and the Baltimore Ravens.
An interception off the hands of Donte Moncrief and a terrible call by the officials killed the Steelers vs the Seahawks. A late fumble by James Conner cost the team a victory vs San Francisco. A fumble by Juju Smith-Schuster in OT cost the Steelers a win against the Ravens.
Other than being blown away by New England in the opener, and Mason Rudolph having a meltdown in Cleveland, this squad has been in every game.
But by all means, keep counting them out.
Remember, defense wins championships.
And as for Duck and his naysayers?
All this kid has done is come off the bench dead cold against those same Ravens and had them in position to win. Then he goes out West vs Phillip Rivers and outplays him to get the victory. Against Cincinnati, he comes off the bench and sparks a comeback vs the Bengals. Last week he starts again and sends the Browns to planning for draft picks instead of travel plans for the playoffs.
He isn’t the 2nd coming of Tom Brady, nor is he Drew Brees, but right now, I’ll settle for him just being Duck Hodges, and that is good enough for me, as I can see that this kid has the tools to make it in this league, and will keep defying the odds, no matter what the “experts” keep saying.
Both Hodges and this year’s Steelers team are inspirations and reasons to be proud to root for the black and gold, no matter how they finish.
Especially from this area of the country.
To me, people from Western Pennsylvania are well known for their toughness and blue-collar work ethic.
You are schooled even more in the small town where I grew up.
Where I live, you inherited what was called a “Midland Mentality”. That was shaped by the great older people who lived here, as well as your fellow friends and family. Even though we were a tiny little steel town, the people here had a unique ability to adapt to any environment, had a kind, calm demeanor, embraced adversity, and had a never say die, never surrender attitude.
That is why I believe in this team, despite the odds and the injuries. I see the fight in them and the “us against the world” attitude they carry game after game. That’s why I think they can win and will make the playoffs.
They played well against Daniel Jones and the Giants. Can they find similar success against the Steelers and Duck Hodges?
The Arizona Cardinals have played some awful defense all season. Their pass defense is the worst in the league. Almost every quarterback that has faced them has looked like a star.
However, one did not. It was rookie Daniel Jones of the New York Giants.
The Cardinals held the Giants to 156 net passing yards. They intercepted him once, sacked him eight times, forced three fumbles and took two away.
So far, Jones is the only rookie quarterback they have faced.
They face another on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers have undrafted rookie Devlin “Duck” Hodges starting for them. He is 2-0 in his two starts. He has been good but has not been great.
He has three touchdown passes and two interceptions. He has fumbled once and been sacked three times.
The question for Sunday is whether the Cardinals can make Hodges look more like Daniel Jones or whether he will be the latest quarterback to shred the Cardinals defense.
After all, the last time the Cardinals faced the Steelers, they lost to them in 2015 when their third-string quarterback, Landry Jones, came in and threw two touchdown passes.
If Arizona’s defense is going to be able to stop any quarterback, this is the week to do it.
The Cardinals are coming off an utterly embarrassing loss against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. They’ll look to rebound against the “Duck” Hodges-lead Steelers that have playoff aspirations.
2018 was a year in which the Arizona Cardinals were on the wrong end of many blowouts. They were destroyed by the Denver Broncos on national television, and had similar results against the Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, and Washington Redskins.
This year, the team had been competitive in every game. Sure, there were a few that got away from them late in the contest (Carolina, New Orleans), but their competitiveness this year was one of the positives to build on.
Then came last Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. It appeared like the Cardinals were the same 2018 team that broke records for being awful. They were embarrassed in every phase.
This week, they’ll need to at least be very competitive throughout the game, or the hot seat under some coaches and executives might grow a lot warmer.
Let’s take a look at this week’s opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers:
Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has done a masterful job in keeping his football team alive and in the playoff race. They started the season 0-3 and lost quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for the season. Most teams would have folded and collapsed, but Tomlin has kept his team afloat through tons of adversity.
This season is the fallout of the Antonio Brown debacle in the offseason. Tomlin is on his third-string quarterback and just recently had his team go through the ugly brawl with the Cleveland Browns on national television. After all of this, the Steelers are 7-5 with eyes on the postseason.
Considering the history between the Cardinals and Steelers, I’m sure the team would like nothing more than to put a huge dent into the Black and Yellow’s playoff hopes.
We want to see big games from these Steelers vs the Cardinals.
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
It seems every week we are wondering which new face will step up for the Pittsburgh Steelers. This is the nature of the game when you are dealing with injuries and this week will be no different. The Steelers continue to hold onto a playoff spot despite playing without any of their top skill players on offense. Which guys will step up this week against Arizona?
WR Tevin Jones
Jones has bided his time on the practice squad and is finally getting his shot. It is hard to have expectations too high but with Devlin Hodges getting his third start it’s great Jones is starting to come into his own. We have seen Hodges and James Washington find their chemistry and this week we are counting on more from Jones as well.
