The Steeler Nation game day guide: Steelers vs Bills preview

Here’s our comprehensive guide for this week’s game.

Prediction

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

It will be cold on Sunday night at Heinz Field.

Don’t expect it to affect Devlin Hodges.

“Ducks like it when it’s a little bit colder anyway,” said Pittsburgh’s quarterback, who has embraced the nickname “Duck” by coaches, teammates, and fans alike.

If the Steelers are to win their 9th game out of 10, Hodges will be a big factor manning the keys to the Steelers offense.

“Once I get out there and get going and get active, I am not really cold,” Hodges said. “I am out there sweating and with the body heat and everything, so it’s going to be fine.

“I mean, as a quarterback I’ve still got to throw it, and the other quarterback has still got to throw it the same weather that I do. So, just go to go out and do it.”

The Bills defense can be cold against opposing offenses, allowing just a meager 296.8 total yards per game and just 16.3 points per contest.

Hodges will have to continue protecting the ball, but at the same time finding a way to generate more points from a team that has only scored more than one offensive touchdown a game in just one of it’s past six games.

The running game may get a boost if James Conner returns and can stay healthy the whole game. Conner has the ability to run, block, and catch passes out of the backfield. Normally, Benny Snell is used to run, Jaylen Samuels is best at catching passes out of the backfield, and Kerrith Whyte utilizes his blazing speed in just the ground game so far.

Mike Tomlin has used the running back by committee approach and riding the hot hand while Conner has been out.

“That’s a big if,” Tomlin said of Conner’s return. “And that’s something we’re going to sort out as we push through the week.”

Regardless of who is in…

“We’re going to work the guys that have been working that we know are healthy,” Tomlin said. “As (Conner) proves his health to us, we’ll consider the way we’ll utilize him. Obviously, if he’s got a clean bill of health and he’s prepared, we know what James is capable of.

“We’ll ponder those things as they are presented to us.”

If Conner can’t suit up or is limited, Snell has made the most of his opportunities according to Tomlin.

“We’ve seen a lot of him over the last month or so,” Tomlin said of Snell. “He’s showing a run demeanor that is attractive and an ability to show featured-runner-like characteristics and mentality.”

Whyte has averaged 6.7 yards on 14 rushing attempts.

“We’re getting to know him, but it’s also important to acknowledge that he’s getting to know himself,” Tomlin said. “It’s not like he had prior NFL experience prior to him getting here. He’s getting to know himself, as well. Hopefully, he’s getting better rapidly. I think it’s a reasonable expectation for a guy in the infancy of his career to expect substantial gains as he steps in stadiums, week in and week out.”

It’s going to be a battle on Sunday night.

Both teams have their doubters, despite the records presented. You hear a lot of, ” But who have they really beaten?” catcalls from the experts.

You could say the same about many teams, including the New England Patriots, who other than their season opener against these same Steelers, have fed off an awful schedule, and have lost to other every team that is in playoff contention in the AFC.

You play who is on your schedule, and go from there. Both Pittsburgh and Buffalo deserve to be where they are. Now they meet with huge implications, as a Bills win will put them into the playoffs, and a loss could bring the bubble guts in their last two games, as Pittsburgh will have the tie-breaker advantage, and Tennessee is right in the mix behind them. The Bills have the Patriots and Jets to close with.

The Bills rely on their rushing attack. John Brown has stepped up big time as a receiver this year, and Cole Beasley has gathered six TD passes, but this team is best effective when they can run. Josh Allen has eight rushing touchdowns this year and has more designed run plays that Lamar Jackson does. He is big, strong, and tough to tackle. Devin Singletary is the lead back and is having a nice rookie season. Frank Gore keeps defying time as the back-up.

This will be a game won by the team that makes the fewest mistakes.

Turnovers will be key.

The Steelers may be aided by the return of a few starters, but these are guys who haven’t seen true game-speed time in weeks.

People keep doubting this Steelers team, but this will be the week where they can finally laugh at their detractors. This being a home game, at Heinz Field, under the lights in prime time, along with a dash of color rush uniforms, you can expect a hard-fought game that will keep you on the edge of your seat all night, but in the end, it will be the Steelers who stand tall and all but secure a playoff berth in the 2019 season.

Steelers 17 Bills 13