Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers getting within one score on Monday afternoon, the Buffalo Bills’ Wild Card matchup never really felt in doubt.
The Steelers’ run game was kept in check for the most part and Mason Rudolph did not strike any fear in the heart of Bills defenders. Offensively, Buffalo didn’t seem to have any problem moving the ball up and down the field at will against Pittsburgh’s defense.
The Steelers did not provide much of a test for Buffalo, but things will get much more difficult for the Bills with the Kansas City Chiefs coming to town. Injuries to Buffalo’s defense and some special teams issues loom large heading into the divisional round matchup at Highmark Stadium. Before looking ahead, here is a look back at why Bills fans should be encouraged and worried following their 31-17 win.
ENCOURAGED
Josh Allen: Josh Allen seems to turn things up a notch in the playoffs. Allen protected the football in the win and did not commit any turnovers. He threw for three touchdown passes and added a 52-yard scamper for a fourth touchdown.
Pittsburgh had no answers for Allen and it showed in the Wild Card matchup.
Ed Oliver: Mason Cole will probably have nightmares about Ed Oliver all offseason. The Bills defensive tackle was an absolute force against the Steelers. He generated 10 pressures in Buffalo’s victory with six coming against Cole.
Khalil Shakir: How?
That was the question that Bills fans were likely asking themselves on Khalil Shakir’s 17-yard touchdown reception. Buffalo’s second year receiver hauled in a pass from Allen, escaped a tackle attempt by Minkah Fitzpatrick without falling to the ground and avoided a few would be tacklers on his way to the end zone.
Shakir’s final stat line was modest (3-31), but good things continue to happen when the ball gets into his hands.
Von Miller: Maybe the bar is being set too low here, but Von Miller flashed at least twice in the Bills’ playoff win over the Steelers. Miller failed to wrap up Mason Rudolph on one play that should have resulted in a sack, but was still able to disrupt the quarterback on the play. He applied additional pressure a second time in the win.
Miller has not done much this season, but perhaps he still has something left in the tank.
Ty Johnson: With just under five minutes remaining in the game, Ty Johnson was tasked with moving the chains on the ground despite the Steelers defense knowing what was coming. Johnson came through twice helping Buffalo get the clock down to the two-minute warning while getting the Steelers to burn their final two timeouts.
Johnson’s ability to move the chains in a big moment essentially secured the win for the Bills.
A.J. Klein: A.J. Klein went from planning a family RV trip to playing significant reps in a playoff game. With the Bills without Tyrel Dodson, Buffalo started the game with Baylon Spector and Terrel Bernard at linebacker. After both exited the game, the Bills depended on Klein and Dorian Williams.
Klein would go on to lead the team in tackles (11) while making one big stop on a reception to Jaylen Warren short of the line of gain.
Kaiir Elam: Kaiir Elam got off to a shaky start to say the least on Sunday. After Christian Benford suffered an injury, Elam found himself playing with Dane Jackson as the team’s starting cornerbacks.
Elam first got run over by Warren on a tackle attempt and would go on to draw a pass interference penalty against Diontae Johnson. Right when it appeared that Elam was in for a long afternoon, he jumped in front of Johnson on a pass in the end zone and intercepted Mason Rudolph. It was a massive play in the game.
Elam needs a lot more stability in his overall game, but the flashes continue to show up.
Dalton Kincaid: Dalton Kincaid continues to make plays for the Bills offense. The rookie tight end hauled in the second touchdown of the matchup and finished as the Bills’ leading receiver on a 3-59 stat line. It wasn’t a big day and there was a drop by the tight end, but he led the way for the Bills offense in a playoff win among the team’s pass catchers.
Greg Rousseau: Greg Rousseau showed off a great pass rush move in the win over the Steelers. Rousseau was quiet as a pass rusher this season while shining in run defense. If he can continues to grow in both areas, Rousseau has the ability to be a force for Buffalo’s defensive line.
Stefon Diggs: Buffalo’s No. 1 receiver hauled in a team leading seven receptions for 52 yards in the win. Feeding the ball to Diggs, despite a modest stat line, helped the Bills move the ball up and down the field on Monday afternoon. Diggs faces a tough test this week against L’Jarius Sneed.
WORRIED
Injuries galore: Bills fans will be monitoring the injury report closely throughout the week. Buffalo entered Monday’s game without Gabe Davis, Tyrel Dodson and Rasul Douglas. Dodson and Douglas are trending in a good direction in terms of playing against the Chiefs, but the team’s injury list grew significantly in the win.
Against the Steelers, Buffalo saw Terrel Bernard (ankle), Baylon Spector (back), Taron Johnson (concussion) and Christian Benford (knee) all exit the game with injuries. Punter Sam Martin hurt his hamstring on a blocked field goal, but he found a way to finish the game.
Down several defensive backs and linebackers, Buffalo needs to get healthy fast for Sunday night’s matchup against the Chiefs.
Tyler Bass: What is going on with Tyler Bass? Buffalo’s first kick attempt may have been a bad decision on their part considering the conditions, but his 49-yard attempt was kicked low and blocked with relative ease. Later in the game, he terribly missed a 25-yard field goal.
The past two years, Buffalo has had no shortage of confidence in Bass to come through. This year, however, Bass’ struggles will likely give Buffalo pause in terms of his usage against the Chiefs.
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