Two teams in the thick of the AFC playoff hunt tangle in Week 13 when the Buffalo Bills visit the Pittsburgh Steelers. Buffalo currently has the final postseason slot while the Steelers are outside the picture. Kickoff for the AFC clash is set for 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 30 from Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh with TV coverage provided by CBS.
Bills at Steelers Preview
Not only is Buffalo’s run of five straight AFC East titles in jeopardy so is their inclusion in the postseason. The Bills have made the playoffs every year since Josh Allen took over as the full time starter in 2019, but a run of four losses in seven games has them clinging to the final postseason berth entering the last 6 weeks.
What has plagued the Bills recently is a lack of ball security, especially from Allen. The MVP had seemingly got over the issue, but it reared its ugly head. Over the last seven games Allen has thrown 8 interceptions and lost 4 fumbles and he’s responsible for 14 of the team's 15 turnovers.
- The Bills turned the ball over 3 times in each of their last three games and they are minus-2 in TO margin for the year.
- The Bills failed to score more than 20 points in each of their 4 losses going UNDER the total each time.
- Buffalo’s O line was manhandled in the trenches by Houston allowing 8 sacks and 4 hits on Allen. It's the most times Allen has been sacked in a game in his career.
- Buffalo’s three lowest scoring games of the season have come on the road where they are 1-3 SU and ATS in their last four.
The Steelers are in a rut of their own going from a comfortable lead in the AFC North to a first place tie with surging Baltimore after losing four of their last six games. The club is hopeful the return of Aaron Rodgers can get them back on track. Rodgers missed last week’s 31-28 loss to the Bears in which the Steelers failed to cover the 2.5-point spread in NFL odds.
Just when it seemed like the Steelers were headed in the right direction defensively, they ran into the red hot Bears. Pittsburgh surrendered more than 30 points for the first time in four games and the fifth time overall this season. They currently rank in the bottom third in yards and points allowed per game.
- The Steelers have forced a NFL high 13 fumbles and recovered nine to rank second in total takeaways. Their plus-8 turnover margin is fourth best.
- Pittsburgh is 27th in 3rd down defense allowing opponents to convert 42.7 percent.
- The Steelers have been underwhelming on both sides of the ball. They are 27th in total offense and even with Rodgers, average less than 200 yards a game through the air.
- The Steelers are 4-1 SU and ATS in their last five home games.
Bills at Steelers Predictions
Buffalo signed Brandin Cooks this week to bolster their passing game and give them a legitimate deep threat. And we rarely see Allen have two bad games in a row. The Bills will make adjustments after Allen was harassed by Houston last week and the Steelers can’t keep opponents out of the end zone. I’m backing Allen for an anytime TD in this contest.
Bills at Steelers Betting Tips
- For the fourth time this season the Steelers are a home dog catching 3.5-points on the early NFL betting line.
- In their last 8 games as a home dog Pittsburgh is 5-3 SU and 6-2 ATS.
- The Bills are 2-5 SU and ATS in their last 7 when giving at least 3 points on the road.
- Buffalo was listed at -195 on the moneyline with Pittsburgh at +170.
- The surfaced at 48.
- The UNDER is 3-1 in Pittsburgh’s last four games.
- The Bills have played UNDER the total in four of five road games.
Bills at Steelers Head to Head and Key Stats
- Since the Bills drafted Josh Allen in 2018 he’s won four of his five starts against the Steelers, including the last two and the Bills are 4-1 ATS
- The most recent matchup between the teams took place during the 2023 season playoffs with Allen throwing 3 TD passes and running for another in a 31-17 Bills victory.
- Over the last 5 meetings the Steelers averaged only 13.6 points and the teams cashed the UNDER four times.
- This will be the first game in Pittsburgh since the 2019 season.
