Steelers @ Bills. Monday, January 15th at 4:30pm.

[Meatloaf63]

6 hours ago, Dillenger4 said:

Yes, but so did Miami's D losing Chubb, Phillips and Howard last night as well as a few DB's during the game. Didn't seem to matter as they gave us fits. We got the W, but all I am saying is Pitt has a beter D than Miami. They also have top 3 OL in the NFL. We need to be ready! We will be... but it's not a gimme game just because Watt is out.

LOL they really didn’t give us fits. Poor officiating and bad luck and a poor decision or two. We moved the ball at will for the most part, it’s didn’t finish.

[MasterStrategist]

21 minutes ago, MikePJ76 said:

I'm seeing on social media and in here a little bit already the same people who declared the bills would blowout the chargers and pats saying they will blowout the steelers.

 

These same people are the first ones to complain and they complain the loudest when it doesn't go the way they expect.

 

The steelers have played in Buffalo 2 seasons in a row and they are a northeast team so the Home Field weather element is gone but hopefully the crowd noise will be a huge factor....even at that though they run the ball so much  that it will negate the crowd if they are gaining 4 or more yards a carry.  

 

This game scares me to death.  The Bills running game has progressively leveled off over the last few weeks and the steelers have the guys to stop the run.  

 

I imagine this is going to be alot like the Denver game earlier in the year.  They are going to run a ton, take shots when they are on the plus side of the field and get a man to man look and they are going to dare allen to throw the ball.   Unlike Denver I think they can stay back and still stop the run.  

 

I feel like this is a  17-13 or 20-17 type game.  

 

Listening to everyone talk about a blowout and an easy win is going to make my brain go crazy this week.

Agree, it's going to be a much closer game than some expect.

 

They have talent at skill positions/RB, and an improving OL.  Rudolph doesn't scare me, we definitely need to limit Najee/Warren broken tackles.

 

Watt being out definitely tips the scales.  Watt is the best defensive player in NFL. Highsmith is a beast himself, together they are difficult to scheme around.  They have some key injuries at ILB, and Kazee coming back at S.  Minkah has been banged up, but still a solid secondary.

 

Steelers just play a smart brand of football.  Lead NFL in turnover margin, very good S/T and kicking game, grind it out style on offense with some talented playmakers.

 

Difficult to blow out a team like that.  We need to keep turnover margin within -1 or better.  With Watt likely out, that should be enough to win close.  Only way we're blowing them out, is if Josh balls out in 2021 playoff mode.

 

 

[YattaOkasan]

2 hours ago, Goin Breakdown said:

I'm not sure it is. If tye Johnson catches that ball doesn't get whacked in the helmet and gets into the end zone then today we're talking about that play as being one of the plays that only Josh can make. But since it didn't work out it's shame on josh and he should have thrown to the sidelines. I'll admit I was upset about that play and wished we had at least 3 pts there. Thinking back in it I know I'd be super excited and proud of josh more having confidence and guys too. It's cuts both ways for me as fair or unfair as that is. 

I think that play works except for a penalty that they didn’t call. It’s annoying that he gets concussed from the ear hole shot and it took points off the board. Hope it’s a fine.

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

21 minutes ago, MasterStrategist said:

Agree, it's going to be a much closer game than some expect.

 

They have talent at skill positions/RB, and an improving OL.  Rudolph doesn't scare me, we definitely need to limit Najee/Warren broken tackles.

 

Watt being out definitely tips the scales.  Watt is the best defensive player in NFL. Highsmith is a beast himself, together they are difficult to scheme around.  They have some key injuries at ILB, and Kazee coming back at S.  Minkah has been banged up, but still a solid secondary.

 

Steelers just play a smart brand of football.  Lead NFL in turnover margin, very good S/T and kicking game, grind it out style on offense with some talented playmakers.

 

Difficult to blow out a team like that.  We need to keep turnover margin within -1 or better.  With Watt likely out, that should be enough to win close.  Only way we're blowing them out, is if Josh balls out in 2021 playoff mode.

 

 

I said this up thread. If we don’t turn the ball over and play smart special teams, then I think this is an easy 23-10 type win. If we do our somewhat common dumb things, they will get like all their points off turnovers and we will lose. 
 

we can’t have the mindset that we must score 50 points. just play clean and play field position. 

[Big Blitz]

Have to go into the game understanding 18-6 is probably going to be the final score. 
 

I don’t see many FGs being attempted.  
 

I know weather could change as of now this looks ridiculous.  

[newcam2012]

2 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

Doesn't matter which bum Tomlin sticks in at QB, Big Ben ism long gone and the Bills D will light up any and all of the Steelers scrubs.

 

 

Pitt will utilize their QB as a game manager. He will only be asked to make a few big plays and avoid the big turnovers. Rudolph has sonewhat shown he's capable of doing that. Whether he does who knows. 

 

Pitt will try to win playing tough defense, getting turnovers, and pounding the rock. They have a nice one two RB duo. 

 

Pitt is playing with "house money." They have nothing to lose. Their path to victory is pretty slim IMHO. 

 

One last note is nasty weather could really help out the Steelers since they don't have a very good offense. 

[John from Riverside]

Our newfound running game will help us here

[newcam2012]

19 minutes ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

I said this up thread. If we don’t turn the ball over and play smart special teams, then I think this is an easy 23-10 type win. If we do our somewhat common dumb things, they will get like all their points off turnovers and we will lose. 
 

we can’t have the mindset that we must score 50 points. just play clean and play field position. 

I agree but I have some concern that the longer the game stays close the better the Steelers chances are. I think it's the exact way the Steelers want to play. Hang around and hang around and finish the game. It's been their winning formula this year. 

 

Instead, I would like to see the Bills come out very aggressively and go up two scores. I don't think their offense is capable of coming back. 

Edited January 9 by newcam2012

[Fan in Chicago]

12 minutes ago, Big Blitz said:

Have to go into the game understanding 18-6 is probably going to be the final score. 
 

I don’t see many FGs being attempted.  

Quite the score prediction if FGs wont be attempted. 

[EmotionallyUnstable]

Elandon Roberts and Mykal Walker can be had at the LB position. This defense reeling from the loss of Watt is going to need to dial up pressures to try and force something big (especially after seeing Miami find success).

 

Its crucial our offense be able to counter and implement a hoizontal attack to make them think twice about doing so. I like getting Kincaid/Cook in a favorable match up vs these slower LBs and getting them in space to the sideline.

 

Stretching the fielding horizontally, will pay off with a slower pass rush and open up the down field passing game. Keep them influenced in multiple directions. 

 

We saw this come to fruition last night set up by weeks of the Diggs bubble, which materialized on that exact same route combinations except it was a fake to Diggs and Allen hit the hole shot to Shakir down the sideline. 

Edited January 9 by EmotionallyUnstable

[Simon]

1 minute ago, Fan in Chicago said:

Quite the score prediction if FGs wont be attempted. 

 

0-4 on XP's in a gale. 

[EmotionallyUnstable]

Did McDermott explain, or was he even asked, why Spector entered the game over Dorian Williams? If Dodson is a no go, would they again have Spector up as next man, or would a week off of prep allow for Williams to possibly slide into that role?

[freddyjj]

2 minutes ago, EmotionallyUnstable said:

Did McDermott explain, or was he even asked, why Spector entered the game over Dorian Williams? If Dodson is a no go, would they again have Spector up as next man, or would a week off of prep allow for Williams to possibly slide into that role?

Heard on WGR  was likely due to Spector being better vs Run which was how Fins were gashing Bills in first half. 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

48 minutes ago, newcam2012 said:

I agree but I have some concern that the longer the game stays close the better the Steelers chances are. I think it's the exact way the Steelers want to play. Hang around and hang around and finish the game. It's been their winning formula this year. 

 

Instead, I would like to see the Bills come out very aggressively and go up two scores. I don't think their offense is capable of coming back. 

theoretically, I agree with you. But knowing our team, that aggression will lead to that Steelers defense scoring on some strip sack or pick 6.  

[buffaloboyinATL]

10 hours ago, RyanC883 said:

 

this is not much of a "road" game, really.  Other one prior was Baltimore.  Both take less time flying to than an average person commutes to the office.  Even driving is 4 hours to Balt and 3 to Buffalo, not really any issues.  

The road game stat is really more about playing in a hostile environment etc., than it is about the travel itself. (in my opinion)

[Goin Breakdown]

1 hour ago, YattaOkasan said:

I think that play works except for a penalty that they didn’t call. It’s annoying that he gets concussed from the ear hole shot and it took points off the board. Hope it’s a fine.

I hope so too. 

[billsfan714]

Not liking the weather report, 30mph winds with gusts to 50.  Maybe a little snow.  Cold wind chill.

[PromoTheRobot]

4 minutes ago, billsfan714 said:

Not liking the weather report, 30mph winds with gusts to 50.  Maybe a little snow.  Cold wind chill.

 

Where are you seeing that forecast?

[Big Blitz]

1 minute ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Where are you seeing that forecast?

 

 

[finn]

3 hours ago, rayray808 said:

If I was to choose any match up from the playoff teams in the AFC it would be this...

 

Round one: host Steelers (Browns beat Texans)

Round two: host Chiefs (Browns beat Ravens)

Round three: host Browns

 

SUPER BOWL - Bills vs Cowboys

Funny, this is just how I've been thinking it will play out, except the 49ers make it to the Super Bowl.