Dec 9, 2016 4 min read

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In many ways, this could be considered a trap game for the Steelers, if there is such a thing in the NFL.

The team is coming off an impressive victory over the New York Giants and has games on tap against division rivals Cincinnati and Baltimore in the next two weeks.

But don’t think the Steelers are overlooking the Buffalo Bills. All they had to do was turn on the tape of Buffalo and watch the Bills running roughshod over opponents to see that this is a dangerous team, certainly one capable of beating the Steelers and sending them scrambling the final three weeks of the season.

Buffalo averages 162 yards rushing per game. And they do it through multiple players, LeSean McCoy, Mike Gillislee and quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

Those three all average 5.5 yards or better per carry, meaning the Bills average a first down every two times they run the ball.

The Steelers, who enter the game allowing 92 rushing yards per game, aren’t likely to shut that attack down, especially considering they’ll be playing without two of their top three defensive linemen. Cam Heyward is out for the season with a torn pectoral muscle and rookie nose tackle Javon Hargrave is unlikely to play because of a concussion suffered in last week’s 24-14 win over the Giants.

That means players such as nose tackle Daniel McCullers, L.T. Walton and Ricardo Mathews are going to have to step up in a big way.

But the safeties also will be tested greatly.

Though the Bills don’t throw the ball a lot, they can lull the back end of the defense into playing the run on every play, especially if they’re having success. And if the safeties start to bite on the run plays, that’s when the Bills can go over the top to speedy Sammie Watkins or Marquise Goodwin.

But, Taylor also will run himself into some sacks. He’s been taken down 34 times on 348 pass attempts, so if the Steelers can create some negative plays, they can get off the field.

Conversely, the Steelers should have some success against Buffalo’s defense. Though the Bills have a solid pass rush – 33 sacks – they don’t stop the run particularly well themselves, allowing 116.3 yards per game on the ground.

Le’Veon Bell has three-straight 100-yard games and could be headed to a fourth straight. The Bills also allow 12.6 yards per reception to opposing receivers, showing they can give up some plays on the back end, as well.

And big nose tackle Kyle Williams was added to the team’s injury list on Friday with a back issue, meaning both teams could be without their starting primary run stuffers.

But despite the fact they are a run-heavy team – one of only three NFL teams that does not average 200 yards or more passing per game – the Bills can score. They average just over 25 points per game. The Steelers average just over 24.

Defensively, surprisingly enough with a Rex Ryan-coached team, the Steelers have the advantage, allowing just under 20 points per game. Buffalo gives up over 22 per contest.

Like most games for the Steelers against Ryan-coached teams, I expect this game to be a slugfest in the trenches.

Ryan has coached against the Steelers so often in his stops at Baltimore and New York, that he knows the team’s tendencies inside and out. And he often has a little wrinkle added to make things difficult for the Steelers.

This game also is Buffalo’s season. With Cleveland and Miami at home the next two weeks and a game at the Jets to finish out the season, if the Bills win this one, they could finish 10-6. That might get them into the AFC playoffs.

So they’ll be desperate. But so will the Steelers, who remain tied with Baltimore atop the AFC North standings.

But the Bills have lost four of their past six, while the Steelers have won three in a row.

Pittsburgh has risen over the course of the week to be a 4-point favorite. That’s right on the edge of my comfort zone.

Take the Steelers to win a close one, 24-20