Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers will meet for the fourth-straight season on Sunday in Orchard Park.
In order for the Bills to get their fourth win of the season, here are my three keys, plus notes and stats:
1.) Spoil Pickett's debut
Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett will be making his first-career NFL start. The Bills defense needs to make it as challenging for him as it seems it should be in their stadium.
Since 2017, the year Bills head coach Sean McDermott took over and Leslie Frazier became the team's defensive coordinator, they have faced a rookie quarterback 11 times, including the regular season and playoffs. In those matchups, the rookie signal-callers have recorded a 59.5 passer rating, throwing seven touchdowns and 17 interceptions.
A good start for the defense, whether getting to Pickett early with pressure or getting him to turn the ball over, will go a long way in continuing this success.
2.) Depth step
The Bills are banged-up. There are several key players already declared out, and other who are questionable to play.
Whether that's in their secondary where Jordan Poyer won't play, or on offense where they are hurting at wide receiver and will be missing tight end Dawson Knox, their depth is going to have to step up and not only make solid contributions, but maybe even have to make a game-changing play or two.
The Steelers will most likely test those areas the Bills are thin to try and gain any little advantage they can.
3.) All About Allen
Even if the Steelers can get a spark from Pickett, and even if he's able to make a few extra plays and the Bills' defense shows it's vulnerable without those key players, the Buffalo offense still has Josh Allen, who leads the entire NFL with 1,410 total yards (rushing and passing) and has accounted for all 12 of the Bills' offensive touchdowns this season, with either his arm or legs.
As long as Allen just keeps being himself, the Bills offense should be able to take advantage of a Steelers defense that ranks 24th in rushing yards allowed per-game, and 21st in passing yards allowed per-contest.
NOTES AND STATS:
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