The Keys To A Steeler Upset
Nov 12, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin looks on against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Three weeks ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers were left for dead. Coming off a trio of embarrassing losses, they turned to their third-string quarterback and also needed some help from other teams in the AFC. There was very little reason for optimism.
Then they won a game in dominant fashion that seemed to turn the fortunes of the season around. Then a road victory in Seattle only reinforced the team’s confidence and spurred them to a win last week in Baltimore.
The turnaround was as remarkable as it was unthinkable. The NFL season is a wave of emotion and attrition. Pittsburgh was able to balance it enough to make it to a playoff showdown with the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Here’s what the Steelers must do to keep this hot streak alive.
Continue Offensive Aggression
The team from the Steel City has been very aggressive in their three-game winning streak. Although they have run the ball effectively and often, when the time calls for a deep pass, offensive play caller Mike Sullivan has done so.
The run game has set the aggressive tone. When offensive lineman are continuously up on second-level defenders downfield, things are cooking in your ground attack.
The most noticeable difference between the surging Steelers and the inconsistent team they were earlier in the season is that they’re not running with a plan and purpose. Pittsburgh has started dictating the tempo, which they will need to do versus the Bills. Keep the ball out of quarterback Josh Allen’s hands and continue to dominate the time of possession.
Buffalo’s defense can be beaten on the back end. Even with bad weather that is sure to be getting nasty around at game time, you can exploit them with a well timed deep ball. Mason Rudolph specializes in doing just that. Look for George Pickens to be much more active than he was last week against the Ravens.
Defense Has To Hold The Fort
T,J, Watt is out for this game. Let’s get that out of the way. You can’t replace him or what he brings to the table. So regardless of who steps in, you’re not duplicating that. Head coach Mike Tomlin firmly agrees.
Mike Tomlin:
“Let's be honest: TJ Watt is the best defensive player on the planet right now. He proves that week in and week out."#steelers
— Matthew Luciow (@matthewluciow92) November 28, 2023
Nate Herbig and Markus Golden have both played well in spurts this season. It will be extremely important for them to bring their A game as Buffalo will surely roll protection to Alex Highsmith’s side.
If ever Pittsburgh needed an up-front pass rush, its this week. Allen likes to escape up the middle and is very effective when doing so. Cutting off those running lanes will be key.
The Bills also have been great at running the football this season when they actually employ their ground game. James Cook had a Pro Bowl season and can hurt a defense on multiple levels in both the run and passing game. Limiting him has to be a point of emphasis.
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs can be a handful, and Gabe Davis had a monster game against Pittsburgh last season. His specialty is catching go routes. Thanks in part to Allen’s seemingly endless arm strength, Davis has made a career out of running down deep passes.
Davis may be sidelined due to a knee sprain. Nevertheless, Pittsburgh needs to be ready on the back end. Having both starting safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick and Damontae Kazee back in the lineup can help limit that.
Outlook
Winning a NFL playoff game on the road is one of the tallest tasks in sports. Having to compete without your team’s best player makes the challenge even more daunting. Throw in how hot the Buffalo Bills have been playing over the last six weeks, and it seems like an impossible scenario.
But there is a path to victory. With weather being a major factor, Pittsburgh’s ability to run the football has to be the difference. They need to be smart about it. Don’t get stuck into tendencies that get you behind the sticks. Aggression has to rule the day.
Allen has a tendency to turn the football over. If and when he does, Pittsburgh must capitalize.
Rudolph needs to continue to play mistake-free football. Continuing to use all areas of the field will be huge. Pat Freiermuth must be a valuable weapon against a Bills defense that isn’t great against tight ends this season.
The combination to victory is ball control, aggression, and mistake-free football. It won’t be easy, but it’s achievable for a Steelers squad that has sometimes frustrated — but sometimes overachieved.
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