Ahead of their Week 13 showdown against the Steelers, the Bills do have plenty to be concerned with. Here are the five biggest concerns facing the Bills ahead of their game with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
What concerns must Buffalo overcome in Pittsburgh?
1. The Steelers can beat you over the top
Aaron Rodgers might not be the quarterback he used to be, but he is still more than capable of launching deep balls to his receivers and beating teams over the top. He has 19 touchdown passes this season, the longest of which was an 80-yard completion to DK Metcalf. Rodgers has 22 completions of more than 20 yards, averaging more than one per game.
2. The Steelers are desperate
At the end of the day, there is nothing more dangerous than a team, and a quarterback, who is desperate. The Steelers are 6-5, but have been slipping from the top of the AFC North. With the Ravens now tied with Pittsburgh atop the AFC North, the Steelers are desperate to pick up wins, and a win over Buffalo would sure help, as it would also give them a tiebreaker in a potential Wild Card scenario.
Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers is desperate himself. The last thing Rodgers wants is for his last season in the league to feature a mediocre finish and no playoffs. Rodgers needs to make the playoffs to go out on a high note, and he knows what is at stake. Desperate Rodgers is the most dangerous version of himself, and he could make the Bills his next accomplishment.
3. The Steelers take the ball away
Pittsburgh has forced 20 turnovers this year, the second-most in the league. They lead the league in forced fumbles, with 11 fumbles recovered, and also have secured nine interceptions.
Pittsburgh's defense is relentless and does not allow opposing teams or opposing quarterbacks to make mistakes. That could be a problem for a team like Buffalo, which has a turnover-prone quarterback in Josh Allen. Things could get ugly if Allen is not able to take care of the football.
4. Pittsburgh has a strong pass rush
The Steelers have 34 sacks this year, the fifth-most in the league. Opposing teams have lost 208 yards from those 34 sacks, which is a great way to shut down momentum on drives. The Bills need to be careful they don't allow TJ Watt and the rest of the Steelers' pass rush to get to Josh Allen, or else the Bills might be doing more punting and less scoring.
5. Pittsburgh is among the least penalized teams
Buffalo's offense has been penalized 74 times for 617 yards, while the Steelers' offense has been penalized 68 times for 510 yards. That difference could matter in a close game, and if Pittsburgh is the more buttoned-up team, it will help them gain a slight advantage over Buffalo. Mike Tomlin is known for running a tight ship, after all.