Steeler Nation is a world-wide army that lives and dies with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The six-time Super Bowl champions are a franchise that considers excellence the only standard, and their fans expect nothing less than hard hitting, top notch football. This is the ultimate Steelers GameDay Preview that all followers of the black and gold come to find everything they need to know about the Steelers and their upcoming opponent! Mike Drakulich (@PghSportsNation), who covers both Pitt football and the Steelers for NGSC Sports, brings you inside the huddle for both teams with the Keys to Victory, score prediction, Game Day information, a detailed breakdown of each team, and an up to date team injury report. Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff. The only thing you’re missing is a game uniform.
Game-time: Sunday, October 9th, 1:00 PM.
Venue: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY.
The Kenny Pickett Era has begun, and the young quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1-3) isn’t showing any signs of fear before he takes the field against the heavily favored Buffalo Bills (3-1), this Sunday in Orchard Park, at 1:00 pm.
“Everyone thinks we’re underdogs. But we don’t,” Pickett said.
Since the NFL-AFL Merger in 1966, the Pittsburgh Steelers are the last team since to be an underdog by two touchdowns, and this week Buffalo is favored by 14.5 points.
It will a tough order for Pickett and the Steelers to take down Buffalo for the 2nd year in a row, but with Pickett, at least Pittsburgh has a fighting chance, especially with the Bills defense missing so many key components entering the game. The Bills had already suffered major losses with corner Tre’Davious White and safety Micah Hyde out, now they’ll also be without star safety Jordan Poyer, another cornerback in Christian Benford, and possibly key players such as LB Tremaine Edmunds, DT Ed Oliver, and DT Jordan Phillips, all whom are questionable to play this week. The Bills aren’t faring much better offensively, as Josh Allen will be without wide receivers Jake Kumerow and Jamison Crowder, as well as tight end Dawson Knox. To boot, WR Isaiah McKenzie is questionable, and Gabe Davis has had ankle issues all season.
The Pittsburgh defense, still minus T.J. Watt, has to find a way to pressure Allen, or it will be an ugly day for the highest paid unit in the NFL. Pittsburgh will be without corner Ahkello Witherspoon, and both CB Cam Sutton and SS Terrell Edmunds are questionable.
Pickett is obviously a major upgrade over Mitch Trubisky, but his receivers will need to help their rookie QB out by making some splash plays instead of having the ball clang off their hands.
“It’s our job as receivers to go out there and make the quarterback look good,” receiver Diontae Johnson said, “whether it’s Kenny or Mitch. That’s our job on the bottom line, and that’s what we’ve got to continue to do. We’ve just got to make more plays down the field, and just in general.”
This could end up being a shootout, and honestly, don’t be surprised if Pickett and the Steelers pull a miracle upset. Pickett just has that IT factor, and his teammates seem to be sparked with him taking over the helm of the offense. Unfortunately, this defense has yet to find it’s footing since Watt got hurt, and against Allen, even with a few of his weapons out, will be too much to ask of Pickett this Sunday,
Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE-FM & 970 WBGG-AM
Internet broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
Weather at kickoff: Partly cloudy and 57. Winds out of the WSW at 15-25 mph.
Overall record: 1-3 (4th in AFC North)
Last game: NY Jets 24 Pittsburgh 20
The future is now for the rookie first round draft pick. Entered the Jets game at halftime and lead the team to two scoring drives. Had three interceptions, but one was dropped by Chase Claypool, one could’ve been caught by Pat Friermuth, and the last was a Hail Mary. Has that IT factor, and if given the chance, will shine.
Has yet to record a 100 yard rushing game, but it would help if he was given the ball more.
Good change of pace back when he comes in for relief of Harris.
Has been Pittsburgh’s most consistent threat as a receiver.
Has plenty of tools, but has underachieved badly. Too much size to not make combat catches.
A soon to be force in the NFL. Pickens has already made one of the greatest catches of 2022 and may become Kenny Pickett’s favorite target.
One of the better tight ends in the game, and should flourish with Pickett at quarterback.
Gentry is getting better each year and could make some noise in the redzone, especially in two tight end sets.
Plays hard and will shine when called upon to perform.
One of the best clutch kickers in the game.
DE: Cam Heyward #97 | DT: Tyson Alualu #94 | DE: Larry Ogunjobi #99
One of the best 3-4 defensive lines in football. Cam Heyward is a future HOF and Larry Ogunjobi has been a major addition.
OLB: Malik Reed #50 | ILB: Devin Bush #55 | ILB: Myles Jack #51| OLB: Alex Highsmith #56
Highsmith leads the NFL with 5.5 sacks. Jack has been a beast and leads the team with 44 tackles.
CB: Levi Wallace #29 | SS: Terrell Edmunds #34 | FS: Minkah Fitzpatrick #39 | CB: Cameron Sutton #20
Fitzpatrick has been one of the best defensive backs in the NFL.
Sims has great speed and will get a chance to return punts after Gunner Olszewski lost the job after muffing two punts.
Overall record: 3-1 (2nd in AFC East)
One of the best QB’s in the game, gifted with a cannon of an arm and also very mobile out of the pocket. A clone of Ben Roethlisberger.
Has stepped up his game in 2022, becoming a dual threat out of the backfield.
Not utilized often, and has yet to live up to expectations.
Great speed out of the backfield and very dangerous in open space.
One of the top receivers in the game and Allen’s top target.
Davis is still looking for his breakout game for the season, but his time will come.
Becoming one of Allen’s most trusted targets inside the redzone. Suffered a concussion last week.
The rookie WR may see plenty of action with Jamison Crowder now out and other receivers banged up.
Solid tight end that makes plays when counted upon.
DE: Greg Rousseau #50 | DT: Ed Oliver #91 | DT: DaQuan Jones #92 | DE: Von Miller #40
OLB: Terrel Bernard #43 | MLB: Tremaine Edmunds #49 | | OLB: Matt Milano #58
CB: Taron Johnson #7 | SS: Jordan Poyer* #21 | FS: Damar Hamlin #3 | CB: Dane Jackson #30
Streak: Steelers won the last game.
Last regular-season meeting: Steelers Win, 23-16 (Sept. 12, 2021)
Last postseason meeting: Steelers Win, 40-21 (Jan. 6, 1996)
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