STEELERS (7-5) VS. BILLS (6-6)
SUNDAY, 1 P.M. ET, NEW ERA FIELD, ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. uTV: CBS, DIRECTV 705
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson Led by QB
RB and a defense peaking at the right time, Pittsburgh dominated the New York Giants on Sunday. The win enabled the Steelers to keep pace with the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North. The Ravens hold the tiebreaker, but the issue could be resolved when the teams play each other on Christmas Day. Roethlisberger threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns. Bell had 118 yards rushing and 64 receiving. TE
playing for the fourth time since returning from injuries, had a breakout game, catching six passes for 110 yards and one score. S and LB intercepted passes as the Steelers limited QB Eli Manning to 195 yards passing. They also allowed 56 rushing yards.
About the Bills: After building a 15-point lead early in the third quarter, they yielded 29 consecutive points in a 38-24 loss to the Oakland Raiders. The loss ended a two-game winning streak and means the Bills will have to win out to have a shot at the playoffs. Buffalo entered the game with a league-low six turnovers but allowed an interception and a fumble that contributed to the Raiders’ scoring onslaught. It was the second time in six weeks the Bills squandered a double-digit secondhalf lead. Buffalo’s league-leading rushing game produced 212 yards. RB led the way with 130 yards on 17 carries and added 61 yards on seven receptions. This marked the first time in eight games the Bills have lost when McCoy has surpassed 100 yards rushing. Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor has been inconsistent this season. Brown is coming off a quiet performance (for him) with six catches for 54 yards and one touchdown. But he’s having another spectacular season. He’s on pace for 117 receptions, more than 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns. Gilmore continues to play for his next contract, either an extension or franchise tag with the Bills after this season or a free agent deal
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
with another team.
The Bills have a difficult decision to make after the season. If they keep Taylor, he will be due $30 million in 2017. He remains inconsistent. After going 8-for-9 for 102 yards in the first quarter vs. Oakland, he completed 10 of 26 for 89 yards with an interception the next three quarters. His 55.8 rating was the second worst of his career.
Points per game the resurgent Steelers defense has yielded after allowing 23 per game during the first nine games. They’ve recorded 13 sacks in three games and have back-to-back games with multiple takeaways.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. The Real McCoy: McCoy has been the Bills’ most dynamic and dependable player this season, with five 100-plus-yard rushing games. His 5.45 yards per carry in 2016 is sixth best in team history. He’s a receiving threat, too, with 35 catches for 236 yards, and he leads Buffalo with 10 touchdowns.
2. Big Ben on a roll: Roethlisberger has thrown for 1,085 yards and has eight touchdown passes and one interception since telling the Steelers to follow his lead four weeks ago. He could be destined for another big passing day against the injury-depleted Bills secondary. LB 14th year is looking like another Pro Bowl season with five sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception.
Scott Pitoniak