The Pittsburgh Steelers made the final leap of the regular season into the playoffs with a little help from the Tennessee Titans. For the Wild Card game against the Buffalo Bills, travelling to snowy Orchard Park, New York was a daunting task. The forecast called for strong winds and snowfall in the morning on Sunday. But due to a travel ban issued by the state, the game was postponed to Monday. The Bills are familiar with these conditions and saw it as a home-field advantage. But Pittsburgh is also used to tough winters. Unfortunately however, the Steelers found themselves down 21-0 early. Experience the thrill of a casino with https://www.wantedwin7.com/en-AU latest gaming updates and news. Keep up with the most exciting gaming experiences.
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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, George Pickens (14) during a game against the Buffalo Bills on Wild Card Weekend in Orchard Park, NY on January 15, 2024.
Steelers Update Before Kickoff
With the exception of T.J. Watt, who suffered a knee injury against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 and didn't play against Buffalo, some players who were unable to practice fully during the week were able to report as active for the game. That included safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who will brought some stability to the coverage after weeks of patching things up in the backfield. Damontae Kazee, who was suspended for the rest of the regular season by the NFL after a risky tackle in the game against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15, also was able to suit back up. This was going to give the defense some room to maneuver again. Veteran Patrick Peterson, who as a trained cornerback has primarily played safety in recent weeks, would look to be flexible in the backfield again.
Game Summary
Head Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed last week that Mason Rudolph would start again at quarterback. He went 22/39 for 229 yards passing, 2 touchdowns and 1 costly interception in the red zone. Rudolph's great performances in recent games against the Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks and Ravens in consecutive weeks gave confidence to the coaching staff.
A strong Bills defense would smother the Steelers for most of the game, however. They were able to force multiple fumbles, while on the other side of the ball, Cam Heyward and the Steelers defense had trouble slowing down Josh Allen. He finished the game 21/30 for 203 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, and 1 rushing touchdown. The final score was 31-17.
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Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
The predicted bad weather didn't seem to be a factor for the Bills. They traditionally view such conditions as an advantage, considering Buffalo is known for snow, ice and cold in the winter. On top of that, bad weather, no matter what form it takes, makes the running game more focused. Pittsburgh's running game was also stifled, as Najee Harris finished the day with just 12 carries for 37 yards.
Key Matchups During The Game
- WR Stefon Diggs <-> Joey Porter Jr.
- RT Spencer Brown <-> Nick Herbig / Markus Golden
- IDL Ed Oliver <-> Steelers Interior O-Line
- CB Terrell Bernard <-> George Pickens / Diontae Johnson
Conclusion And Offseason Predictions
The Steelers faced a tough opponent in the Bills to start the playoffs. In snowy Buffalo, it would've been easy to simply "play down," to your opponent which is never good for the team that is considered the favorite. The Bills rose to the occasion, however. Rudolph's storybook run came to an end, and now questions about his future in the Steel City, as well as Coach Tomlin's, loom large. Heyward is another player who may or may not be back with Steelers next season due to his contemplation of retirement.
