The Buffalo Bills will try to spoil the playoff hopes of the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 14. Here’s a preview and prediction, along with the odds, for Sunday’s game at New Era Field.
At 6-6, the Buffalo Bills aren’t genuine contenders for the postseason. But head coach Rex Ryan’s men can play spoilers if they keep pace with the 7-5 Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s not something the oddsmakers think the Bills can manage. The Steelers are favored by two points, according to Odds Shark, with the over/under set at 47.
Betting on the over is not unreasonable considering both teams field high-powered offenses. The Steelers rely on a quartet of dynamic playmakers, led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He can target Antonio Brown, the NFL‘s best wide receiver. Big Ben can also connect with dual-threat running back Le’Veon Bell and joker-style tight end Ladarius Green. The latter has added an extra dimension to the Pittsburgh passing game in recent weeks. Roethlisberger is looking Green’s way whenever he needs a big play over the middle.
Big plays are just what Roethlisberger and his receivers can expect against a struggling Bills pass defense. Buffalo couldn’t stop the Oakland Raiders pushing the ball vertically in Week 13, per Nick Shook of the league’s official site:
"Carr and the Raiders kept the downfield attack going on the ensuing drive. Of Carr’s nine passes with air yards of 15 or more on Sunday, the quarterback was 6 of 9 for 15.9 yards per attempt and a 146.8 rating."
Brown, Green and Eli Rogers can punish the Bills’ propensity for getting beat deep. If the long pass doesn’t get the Buffalo defense, though, Bell’s running will. The Steelers lead workhorse has topped 100 yards in each of his last three games. Bell is gashing defenses with his signature brand of patience, vision, slippery moves and track speed.
The Bills will take comfort from knowing they boast a pretty nifty running game of their own. In fact, the Bills can keep Bell, Roethlisberger and Brown off the field by letting LeSean McCoy take this game over. McCoy averaged 7.6 yards per carry against the Raiders last week. His 130-yard effort was his second straight triple-digit rushing effort in as many weeks.
Offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn has built his scheme around McCoy. It involves deploying a fullback in the form of the punishing Jerome Felton. Lynn is even using some throwback schemes, such as full-house backfields, to create running lanes.
The McCoy led ground game is also aided by the dual-threat skills of quarterback Tyrod Taylor. His threat as a runner forces defenses to play passively. Taylor usually runs away from defenses, but he’ll find it hard to escape the Steelers. Specifically, Pittsburgh’s linebackers are wrecking offenses in multiple ways.
James Harrison, Lawrence Timmons and Ryan Shazier can all rush the passer and be factors in coverage. Coordinator Keith Butler is moving the trio around to disguise pressure and coverage. They’ll challenge Taylor’s ability to adjust pre-snap.
Next: NFL Week 14: Best Picks Against the Spread (ATS)
An improving defense is one reason why the Steelers are peaking at the right time in the playoff race. If the unit can shut down McCoy, the Bills won’t keep up with Roethlisberger, Brown, and Bell on the scoreboard.
Pick: Steelers 28, Bills 20