Buffalo Bills: Keys to victory in Week 14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers

Slow Down the Short Passing Game

Throughout the duration of this season, the Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled to consistently run the ball with efficiency. So much so that they have abandoned the running game altogether and substituted it with their short passing game in some games. This is exemplified evidently by their league rank of 29th in total rushing yards.

Although the Buffalo Bills have shown some weaknesses in their run defense this season and the Steelers have a good group of running backs, the Steelers will likely lean on their strength to win this Week 14 matchup.

With the way the Bills have been defending the run in recent weeks, it is even more likely for the Steelers to utilize their short passing game as a substitute for their ground game. With the way Ben Roethlisberger processes defenses, the Steelers tend to spread out defenses with empty sets and shotgun looks.

From last year to this year, the Steelers have completely converted Juju Smith-Schuster to a short route receiver with his depth of target hovering around 5 yards from the line of scrimmage this season. Furthermore, the Steelers also have promising young receivers like Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson, and even James Washington.

All four Steelers receivers are excellent at gaining yards after the catch, which is why the short passing game is so efficient in substituting for the ground game. Even with missing a few games this season, Diontae Johnson is 20th in the league with 331 yards after the catch this season.

If the Bills want to find success on defense in Week 14, they may have to reduce the depth on their zone coverages this week to take away some of the shallow crossers the Steelers love to run as well as the smash concept.

They have run this smash concept all year with the outside receivers standing at the line of scrimmage giving Big Ben an easy read on either boundary when defenses play cover 2. Additionally, a big component of the Bills’ success against the Steelers’ short passing game in Week 14 will be how well they can rally to the ball carrier and make the tackle.