Buffalo Bills Week 1 Opponent Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers
By Aaron Tully
The Buffalo Bills officially kick off their season this Sunday, Sept. 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It is worth taking a look at how the Steelers stack up headed into their 2021 season opener.
Buffalo Bills’ All-Time Record vs the Steelers
The Buffalo Bills are 11-16 all-time against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The win was the second in a row for the Bills in the series. Prior to their last two wins against the Steelers (2019 and 2020), the Bills had lost ten of their last 11 games against the Steelers dating back to 1993, with the sole win coming in 1999.
Last Meeting
The Bills and Steelers last met in Week 14 of the 2020 season. The Bills won 26-15 thanks to a big day from Stefon Diggs, who had 10 receptions, 130 receiving yards and one touchdown, and a Taron Johnson pick-six just before halftime.
2020/Offseason Recap
The Pittsburgh Steelers won the AFC North in 2020 with a record of 12-4. The Steelers won their first 11 games before dropping five of their last six, including their playoff loss to the Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card round.
In the offseason, the Steelers lost some notable names, including the likes of David DeCastro, Alejandro Villanueva, Matt Feiler, Steven Nelson, Bud Dupree, Mike Hilton, and James Conner.
The only notable names they brought in to replace their losses are Trai Turner, and first-round pick Najee Harris.
Offense
The Steelers are returning most of their 2020 offense. The only member of the offense who is not coming back is James Conner, but the Steelers upgraded at the running back position with Najee Harris.
The Steelers did not move the ball that well in 2020. They finished 24th in total yardage, 15th in passing yards, and dead last in rushing yards.
The Steelers offense will live and die by the play of 39-year-old Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger’s age is a serious question mark for the Steelers, and with an essentially brand new offensive line, he may not have much time to throw.
Defense
The Pittsburgh defense finished third in both total yards allowed and points in 2020. The Steelers finished 11th in rushing defense and third in passing defense. The Steelers led the NFL in interceptions with 18.
The Steelers lost some key pieces on defense, but their front four, along with Joe Haden and Minkah Fitzpatrick in the secondary, should keep the unit inside the Top 10 if they are all healthy.
Final Thoughts
The Pittsburgh Steelers are headed in the opposite direction of the Buffalo Bills. The Bills enter 2021 with Super Bowl ambitions, and they just locked down their franchise quarterback for the next six years.
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The Steelers, however, enter 2021 with question marks at cornerback, offensive line, and beyond 2021, quarterback. The Steelers will be a competitive team in 2021, how competitive they are though, depends on how well Ben Roethlisberger plays.