Buffalo Bills defense can make playoff statement against Steelers

The Buffalo Bills face off with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday during the NFL's wild-card round. Buffalo is coming off of an AFC East clinching win over the Miami Dolphins leading to their position of holding the second seed.

A key part of the win on the road for the Bills was how their defense held the Dolphins to just 14 points in their win. This is stellar considering the Dolphins had one of the best offenses in football averaging 29.2 points per game (2nd in the NFL) and 401.3 (1st in the NFL). A big part of this upcoming wild-card game will be if the Bills can bring the same kind of heat on defense to really make a statement that says they are a threat going forward in the playoffs. 

Looking at Pittsburgh's offense, they average 18 points per game ranking a really low 28th in the NFL. Although they beat the Baltimore Ravens on the road last like, they only put up 17 points and played the number-one seed with a lot of their backups in the game. 

Buffalo's defense this year has been stingy at home allowing 274.5 yards per game at Highmark Stadium this season. That ranks 5th in the NFL. They also have been a top-ten pass defense overall despite injuries to Micah Hyde and Tre'davious White. They rank 7th in the NFL being one of seven total teams in the league to average giving up less than 200 passing yards. This plays to effect against Mason Rudolph who has yet to play in a playoff game this season.

This adds up to the Steelers very possibly having a difficult time against the Bills on offense as they travel to upstate New York. And if Buffalo does what they need to do in putting up a great defensive performance, it can really boost their confidence the rest of the way in the playoffs.