Buffalo Bills: 4 key matchups for Wild Card Weekend against the Steelers

Bills run defense vs. Steelers run offense

The Bills defense needs to key in on the run for this game. Steelers starting running back Najee Harris has been very effective on the ground throughout his last three games, totaling over 300 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The Steelers' backup Jaylen Warren is also an effective back, especially through the receiving game.

If the Steelers run the ball that effectively, that will make their quarterback Mason Rudolph a lot more comfortable throughout the game. The main thing the Bills have to do is force the Steelers to throw, and eventually, Rudolph will make a mistake.

Taking that amount of pressure off Rudolph makes his job a lot easier, that's why he's been very efficient throughout the last three games, completing 74% of his passes for three touchdowns and no interceptions. Stopping the run and letting Rudolph try and take over the game will be how the Bills can dominate defensively, especially in the cold and windy conditions that the game will be in.

Although the Bills have earned their spot in the second seed, they still have a long way to go if they want to put a Lombardi in their empty trophy case. On paper, this game looks like a cakewalk for the Bills, especially when you add that seventh-seed teams have yet to win a playoff game, but in the NFL, anything can happen. The Bills cannot make the same mistake of playing down to their competition, they should always play every game as if their life depended on it, especially in the playoffs.