The Pittsburgh Steelers will be going into their 2023 Wild Card game against the Buffalo Bills as significant underdogs, despite bringing a three-game winning streak and momentum into the matchup. Most betting sites show the Bills as 10-point favorites according to the odds for Sunday's playoff game. Pittsburgh's shifty veteran receiver, Diontae Johnson doesn't really care what the odds say. According to him, the Steelers are ready to show the league why they should be considered dangerous.
Courtney Culbreath / Getty Images
Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Diontae Johnson (18) is one of the more agile wide receivers in the NFL.
Steelers' Johnson Unbothered By Underdog Status
Few people believed the 2023 Steelers would be anywhere close to being in one of the AFC's playoff slots, especially considering how rocky their season has been. A historic in-season coaching change, unacceptable losing streaks, and a complete lack of an offensive attack put Pittsburgh in a tough spot. After three vital wins in a row and some help from the Tennessee Titans, the Steelers surprised everyone and clinched a Wild Card game.
Cam Heyward and Diontae Johnson spoke to the media about preparing for the Wild Card game vs. the Bills and more. @OurFordStore pic.twitter.com/STD0jdQ95R
— Steelers Live (@SteelersLive) January 10, 2024
Johnson knows that it won't be an easy task to go into Buffalo and steal a victory, but he has confidence in the group in their locker room. Any underdog talk, according to Johnson, shouldn't be paid attention to as it is simply politics. On Wednesday, Johnson made sure the media understood that the Steelers do not care about the odds, they are here to win.
"They gonna count us out regardless, 'cause we just the Steelers, and they the Bills, you know what I'm saying? It's politics, so I can't -- you can't really feed into it. Just go out there and play your game; let your game do the talking. That's all you need to worry about. All the other stuff don't really matter. It's what happens -- what's going on between our minds that matters at the end of the day."
Johnson has been a big part of the winning streak that got Pittsburgh close enough to a playoff berth for the Titans to help them in with a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18. In the Steelers' last two games, Johnson has pulled in eight catches for 165 yards and a touchdown, including a massive 71-yard score against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18. For the Steelers to leave Buffalo with a win and a place in the 2023 Divisional Round, they will need Johnson to continue stepping up his game. With the big arm of Mason Rudolph under center, this could indeed be one of those teams that no one wants to play in the postseason.
Peter Diana / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) has been incredibly patient, and it seems as though it is starting to pay off.
Steelers Look Ready For Whatever Happens Next
As the 2023 Steelers were preparing for their Week 16 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, not much seemed to be going right. Injuries were piling up, team morale looked to be at an all-time low, and even without Matt Canada, the offense couldn't find any sense of success. Thanks to the inspired play of Rudolph and the running game, Pittsburgh finds themselves not only in the playoffs, but with a decent chance to upset the Bills.
You don't want to be on the receiving end of a Najee Harris stiff arm 💪 @ohthatsNajee22 pic.twitter.com/QTiGpcQbb6
— NFL (@NFL) January 3, 2024
From Week 16 to Week 18 of 2023, the Steelers seemed to exorcise the demons from the first three quarters of the season. The rushing attack was suddenly a strong point, rather than a weak link in the chain, and in response, the defense started dominating again. It hasn't been pretty, but it has been earned, and that is more than most fans believed they were going to see from the 2023 Steelers.
With cold, snowy weather expected in Buffalo on Sunday, Pittsburgh could once again turn to their ground game to carry the offense. Between the bruising style of Najee Harris and the swift cuts of Jaylen Warren, the Steelers have the ability to put on a clinic against the Bills. There is a big difference between being able to do something and actually accomplishing it, and as confident as Pittsburgh is, there is still a game to be played against a top AFC opponent.
Associated Press
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) has one of the league's most effective stiff-arm moves, and he isn't afraid to use it.
If the Steelers emerge victorious from the Wild Card round, it won't be because of one person, it will absolutely have to be a team effort. That is what makes the 2023 Steelers dangerous: their ability to play cohesive, complimentary football. Snow or shine on Sunday, Pittsburgh will be prepared; the big question is whether or not they can execute that preparedness.
What are your thoughts on Johnson's remarks? Will the Steelers come out victorious on Sunday? Comment below!
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