When Bills have the ball
Key performers: QB Josh Allen, RB Frank Gore, RB Devin Singletary, WR John Brown, WR Cole Beasley, TE Dawson Knox, LT Dion Dawkins, C Mitch Morse, RT Cody Ford
What’s been working: The last time the Bills rushed for fewer than 100 yards in a game? Nov. 10 in a 19-16 loss at Cleveland, and they still put up 4.2 yards per carry in that one. With a powerful offensive line and a one-two punch of something old, something new, Buffalo’s run game has left opponents black and blue. Frank Gore, 36, is the something borrowed, leading the Bills in carries in his first season with them but 15th in the league. Devin “Motor” Singletary, a third-round rookie, is the leading rusher and averages 5.6 yards per attempt. Factor in mobile quarterback Josh Allen and you have the fifth-highest rushing total in the NFL.
Who’s hot (or not): Offseason additions have been paying major dividends for the Buffalo offense. Gore and Singletary, leading receivers John Brown and Cole Beasley, the top two tight ends, and four of five offensive linemen are all in their first season with the Bills. They’ve completely rebuilt Allen’s supporting cast, and the new guys are all contributing.
Game plan: Allen’s athleticism at the most important position on the field allows the Bills to use him on designed runs, adding an extra dimension to a power-run offense. He can also extend plays, which allows for shifty slot man Beasley to find openings on third downs, or deep threat Brown to make a big play.
Keep an eye on: Speaking of big plays, Brown isn’t the only one capable of making them for Allen. He’ll also take deep shots to second-year wideout Robert Foster, the former Central Valley High School star who accounted for 148 yards of offense and two scores as a sophomore in the WPIAL Class AAA championship last time he played at Heinz Field.
When Steelers have the ball
Key performers: DE Shaq Lawson, DT Jordan Phillips, DT Ed Oliver, LB Tremaine Edmunds, LB Lorenzo Alexander, LB Matt Milano, CB Tre’Davious White, S Micah Hyde, S Jordan Poyer
What’s been working: With playmakers at every level, the Bills are second in points and third in yards allowed per game. They have at least one takeaway in four consecutive games and haven't allowed more than 118 yards rushing in that same span. With 38 sacks, they're generating pressure mostly from the defensive line, and the secondary is allowing the third-worst passer rating to opposing quarterbacks.
Who’s hot (or not): Strong safety Jordan Poyer has had a strong year, on pace for back-to-back 100-tackle campaigns and coming off a season-high 10 stops. But he also had some blown assignments, albeit trying to defend Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. He was duped by Jackson on two touchdown passes to tight ends, one of which was a 61-yarder.
Game plan: Structurally, the Bills employ a 4-3 base defense under head coach Sean McDemott and coordinator Leslie Frazier. They play a lot of zone on the back end, but Tre’Davious White can be a shutdown corner when they do go man. Underneath, a lot of coverage responsibilities fall to the linebackers, especially Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano, who never leave the field and help the front four wall up against the run first and foremost.
Keep an eye on: Ed Oliver was the ninth pick in the draft this year, one spot ahead of Devin Bush, and is just one of seven in Buffalo’s deep defensive line rotation. But No. 91 is coming on lately, and while last week was his first in four games without a sack, he chipped in five tackles. He had a strip-sack of Dak Prescott on Thanksgiving, and at 6 feet 1, 287 pounds, he uses quickness more than brute strength to make an impact on the interior.
Special teams
Veteran kicker Stephen Hauschka is having one of his worst seasons, just 18 of 24 on field goals and 26 of 28 on extra points. Hauschka is 1 of 5 on kicks of 50 or more yards. … Punter Corey Bojorquez has struggled, too, with the second-worst yards per punt in the NFL and the eighth-highest average return yards. … Kick returner Andre Roberts has shot-out-of-a-cannon speed, which helped him to an All-Pro nod last year with the Jets. Roberts is averaging the second-most yards per kick return in the NFL and also handles punt returns.
Keys to victory
To win, the Bills must…
Play it again. Their defensive effort last week against Baltimore was nothing to be ashamed of, and that was against maybe the best offense in the league, which the Steelers are not.
Kick the dust up. A 3-yard run here and a 4-yard run there can neutralize a dominant Steelers pass rush that has been changing games left and right against lesser offensive lines.
Kill the lights. This will be Buffalo’s first late game of the season and the Steelers’ sixth, so there’s something to be said for knowing how to rise to the occasion in a prime-time matchup.
To win, the Steelers must…
Leave the night on. The Steelers are 41-20 under Mike Tomlin and 28-9 at Heinz Field in night games, including 2-0 this season, but the Bills aren't Cincinnati or Miami.
Take your time. Much like the Bills will want to do on offense, lean on your running game, relieve pressure on Devlin Hodges and do what you can to win battles for field position.
House party. In what could be a tall task for the offense, get a splash play from your red-hot defense, maybe even a trip to the end zone from that unit or special teams (again).
First Published: December 13, 2019, 3:44 p.m.
