1:02 pm
September 12

Steelers @ Bills

Who will WIN this matchup?

Pittsburgh Steelers (0-0)

@ Buffalo Bills (0-0)

 

Current odds:

Pittsburgh Steelers: (+235)

Buffalo Bills: (-290)

 

• The spread for the game is Buffalo by 6.5 points.

• The road is no place for rookies to earn their keep in the NFL, but the Pittsburgh Steelers saddle up for the first game of the regular season at Buffalo on Sunday knowing it’s a live test for up to five untested pros. While the Bills return the majority of their two-deep depth chart from an AFC Championship Game appearance, keep the program handy for this initial look at the fresh-faced Steelers. Five rookies enter the game expected to start for Pittsburgh.

• First-round pick Najee Harris and two offensive linemen (left tackle Dan Moore Jr. and center Kendrick Green, a guard in college at Illinois) plus second-round pick Pat Freiermuth could break the huddle with 39-year-old quarterback Ben Roethlisberger when the Steelers unveil a new-look offense on Sunday. Green was limited in Wednesday’s practice due to a thumb injury but expects to play.

• Opposing quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills likely will not protest if Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt plays a lesser role this week following a contract-related holdout during preseason. Watt debuted at practice on Wednesday, but he didn’t participate in team drills for the entire offseason or training camp. He was in on team meetings through the spring and summer, Tomlin said.

• The matchup nightmare for the Steelers last season was wide receiver Stefon Diggs. With uncertainty entering Week 1 around who will play the slot, Diggs and Cole Beasley could be tuning up for another big outing. Diggs had a 19-yard TD as part of a 10-catch, 130-yard effort. Allen disclosed one of his primary keys Sunday will be locating defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick and preventing him from wrecking the game plan. Fitzpatrick has 13 takeaways since 2019.

6/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Buffalo Bills
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