Steelers vs. Bills Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Josh Allen Limit Mistakes In First Playoff Game of 2024?
Steelers vs. Bills Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can Josh Allen Limit Mistakes In First Playoff Game of 2024?
The Pittsburgh Steelers snuck into the playoffs behind three superb Mason Rudolph outings to finish the regular season.
The Steelers defeated the Bengals, Seahawks, and Ravens in three consecutive games to close out the season. That was good enough to push the Steelers into the playoffs after a season in which they lost their starting quarterback and fired their offensive coordinator.
That starting quarterback, Kenny Pickett, is available and ready to return. It's just that third-stringer Mason Rudolph has the hot hand. They won't give the keys back to Pickett after three straight wins from Rudolph.
However, he'll have the toughest task of his season on Sunday. He's facing an 11-win Buffalo Bills team that just held Miami to 14 points to win the AFC East.
Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Sunday's game between the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills.
Steelers vs. Bills Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date:Â January 14, 2024
- Game Time:Â 1:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch:Â CBS
Steelers vs. Bills Odds
- Spread: Steelers +10 (-110), Bills -10 (-110)
- Total Odds: O/U 35.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: Steelers (+390), Bills (-525)
Steelers vs. Bills Injury Report
Steelers
Questionable: S Trenton Thompson (Neck), S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Knee), LB T.J. Watt (Knee)
Out: S Keanu Neal (Rib), LB Kwon Alexander (Achilles)
Bills
Questionable: RB Ty Johnson (Concussion), LB Tyrel Dodson (Shoulder), OT Dion Dawkins (Hand), WR Gabe Davis (Knee), CB Rasul Douglas (Knee)
Out: DT Jordan Phillips (Wrist), RB Damien Harris (Beck), LB Matt Milano (Lower Leg)
Steelers vs. Bills Prediction
Nobody really knows how the Pittsburgh Steelers just found their way into the playoffs.
After all, the Steelers scored 304 points and allowed 324 points but still won three more games than they lost.
Pittsburgh's known for its pass rush. However, the most effective pass rusher, T.J. Watt, is currently dealing with an MCL injury in his knee. Even if Watt does play, it's hard to know how effective he'll actually be in getting to Josh Allen.
Allen is mobile and isn't just a pocket passer. That'll make it more difficult for the Steelers in their pursuit of Allen.
Meanwhile, if the Pittsburgh defense can get to Allen and get him antsy, he'll make some poor decisions. He's already thrown 18 interceptions this season despite throwing 29 touchdowns.
Allen will make some of the most incredible plays but also some of the most bone-headed plays.
But most of all, the Bills typically get through the first round, only to lose in one of the next couple of rounds before the Super Bowl.
As long as the Bills scheme up plays that don't allow Allen to make a stupid turnover, the Bills should be fine. They won't need a ton of points against the Steelers to win. After all, Buffalo scored 17.88 points per game this season.
That's not even close to Buffalo's 26.88 points. The Bills added 451 points this season and only allowed 311. That's how much more superior the Buffalo offense is.
Again, Allen needs to relax and limit those turnovers. With Watt's uncertainty, I like Buffalo's chances of winning in this game. I don't think Pittsburgh will have much success on offense.
The Steelers have averaged just 186.06 yards in the air and 118.24 yards on the ground. Buffalo's secondary is elite, and the pass rush has been very effective. The run from Mason Rudolph is fun, but I'm not expecting much from him in a road playoff environment.
Let's take the Under 35.5 in this game. The Bills figure to score a few touchdowns. However, the Steelers don't. Buffalo against the spread is also appealing if you want to go that route.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills Pick
- Under 35.5 -110 Â is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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Article Author
Jason grew up an avid sports fan. His passion for sports writing grew in high school and he developed a blog that was strictly for New York Sports. From his work, you will quickly realize that he loves looking at games from an analytical and numbers perspective and hopes to provide you with that same perspective in his articles.