TL;DR
- Steelers face Bills Sunday in a must-win game for playoff hopes.
- Bills boast NFL's best pass defense but struggle against the run.
- Steelers must rely on their running game, featuring Kaleb Johnson, to control the clock.
- A strong ground attack is key to neutralizing Josh Allen and the Bills' offense.
The Pittsburgh Steelers confront a formidable task this Sunday as Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills arrive. Each remaining contest represents a must-win situation for Pittsburgh, deeply involved in a close divisional competition with the Baltimore Ravens and facing two critical games against them yet to be played.
On paper, the contest appears grim. The Steelers possess the NFL's least effective pass defense, whereas Allen stands as one of the league's most electrifying quarterbacks. However, a ray of optimism exists—a single contest that might sway the outcome in Pittsburgh's direction: the running game.
The Buffalo Bills stand atop the NFL in pass defense, allowing a mere 168 yards each game, yet they're near the bottom against the run, conceding 148 yards per contest, placing them 30th in the league. Should Pittsburgh aim to keep Allen sidelined and shift the game's momentum, they'll have to deploy their complete roster of running backs, featuring rookie Kaleb Johnson. The Steelers' ground game has shown inconsistency throughout this season, and their offense as a whole frequently battles to establish a flow. However, dictating the pace and the time through a dedicated rushing strategy might prove crucial in neutralizing Buffalo's potent offense. For the entirety of the game, Pittsburgh must commit to running the ball, safeguarding possession, and compelling Allen to undertake numerous extended drives.
Sunday's contest represents more than a typical game; it's an examination of fortitude, strength, and tactical control. Should the Steelers commit to controlling the line of scrimmage and establishing the run, they could potentially shift the probabilities to their advantage. Conversely, confronting Josh Allen and the NFL's premier pass defense, Pittsburgh might find themselves observing another postseason chance vanish.