Steelers vs Bills: AFC Wild Card matchup overview, stats, key players

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The AFC Wild Card matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills will take place at Highmark Stadium on Monday at 4:30 p.m. ET. The game was initially scheduled for Sunday, but it was postponed due to heavy lake-effect snow and strong winds in Western New York.

The Steelers ended their season with three straight wins, including winning 17-10 against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 to seal off their playoff ticket. On offense, the Steelers rank 25th in the NFL this season, with a total of 304.3 yards per game. Regarding defense, they are No. 21, with 342.1 yards allowed per game.

Meanwhile, the Bills had a 5-5 start to the season but finished strong by winning their last five games. They defeated the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys before winning against the Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots. In week 18, they defeated the Miami Dolphins 21-14, claiming the AFC East and guaranteeing a home Wild Card game.

They have been among the top five units, taking fourth place in the NFL, with an average of 374.5 yards per game for offense. On defense, they are No. 9, with 307.2 yards allowed per game.

Key players

Steelers’ Mason Rudolph, who started three games this season and recorded 719 passing yards, will possibly become the main quarterback in the next season. Meanwhile, Najee Haris led the Steeler’s offense with 1,035 yards on the year and scored eight times. He ended the last two games, adding 234 yards and three touchdowns.

In the receiving game, the Steelers primarily depend on George Pickens and Diontae Johnson. Pickens has made 63 receptions for 1,140 yards and scored five touchdowns this year, while Johnson has 717 yards and five scores as well this year.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen leads the team, ending the 2023 season with 4,306 passing yards, 44 total touchdowns and 18 interceptions. He holds an average of 253.3 yards per game and 7.4 yards per attempt.

As both teams prepare their Wild Card round, the Steelers have three players on the injury list, one of them is linebacker T.J Watt, who sustained a knee injury. Meanwhile, the Bills listed 10 injured players on their report this week.