Steelers Suddenly Hold Major Advantage Over Bills In Week 13

The Pittsburgh Steelers dropped to 6-5 on the 2025 season after losing 31-28 to the Chicago Bears in Week 12 at Soldier Field. The contest began with adversity for Pittsburgh as it was quickly revealed that starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers would have to miss the game. Mason Rudolph stepped in as the starter and did a respectable job, keeping the Steelers competitive, but it ultimately was not enough to secure the win. With the loss, Pittsburgh has now fallen behind in the AFC North and is watching its playoff hopes slip further out of reach.

To stop the slide, the Steelers will need a big upset victory at home in Week 13 against the Josh Allen-led Buffalo Bills. The Bills are one of the league’s top teams and present a significant challenge, but the Steelers will be looking to take advantage of any opportunities to swing momentum in their favor. With Rodgers potentially returning to action, Pittsburgh hopes to stabilize its offense and give itself a fighting chance in a game that could define its season.

On Wednesday, news from Bills insider Joe Buscaglia suggested that the Steelers may have suddenly found a possible advantage over Buffalo in Week 13. According to Buscaglia, certain matchups in the secondary and recent struggles in the Bills’ offensive line could give Pittsburgh an edge they did not have earlier in the season. If the Steelers can capitalize on this advantage, it could be the spark needed to turn their season around and reclaim momentum in the AFC playoff race.

After the news from Buscaglia, it has now been revealed that star left tackle Dion Dawkins and right tackle Spencer Brown did not practice on Wednesday. While that does not necessarily mean they will miss the Week 13 contest against the Steelers, it is certainly something that fans and insiders will be keeping a close eye on leading up to game day. The potential absence or limited participation of either tackle could create significant opportunities for Pittsburgh’s defense to exploit.

The Steelers’ pass rush has shown it can be dominant when firing on all cylinders. With TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, Nick Herbig, and the rest of the defensive front applying pressure, facing Allen without his right or left tackle at full strength would be a massive advantage for Pittsburgh. 

Steelers Failed To Beat Bears With Big Edge In Week 12

Of course, the Steelers had a similar edge in Week 12 against the Bears and were unable to capitalize. Despite Rudolph stepping in respectably for Rodgers, Pittsburgh ultimately fell short in a close 31-28 loss. The lesson from that game is clear: the Steelers cannot take any advantage for granted. 

If they want to make the most of the Bills’ potential offensive line struggles, they will need to execute perfectly, stay disciplined, and maintain intensity from the first snap to the last. Week 13 presents a critical opportunity for the Steelers to regain momentum and keep their playoff hopes alive.

With the Steelers suddenly holding a major advantage heading into Week 13, the big question is: Can Pittsburgh capitalize on this opportunity and use it to regain momentum in the AFC, or will the Bills find a way to neutralize their edge?

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