Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) vs. Buffalo Bills (11-6)
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills 1/14/24 – At this weekend’s AFC Wild Card game between Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills in the NFL playoffs, an exciting showdown awaits between these two powerhouses. Scheduled to kickoff at Highmark Stadium with an early 1:00 PM ET kickoff and broadcasted live by CBS, top handicapper selections are abuzz with anticipation; their significance extends far beyond wins-losses records alone but to tactical play and individual performances that may unfold on the field.
The Steelers’ offensive strategy relies heavily on Najee Harris, their star running back. Over 17 games this season he has amassed 1035 rushing yards from 254 attempts, an average of 4.1 yards per rush. His ability to break for long runs, as shown by his 8 20+ yard rushing plays, adds a dynamic edge to the Steelers’ offense. His 8 rushing touchdowns and 60.9 average yardage per game could prove vital against Bills defense. Receivers George Pickens stands out as key contributors. Pickens has amassed impressive statistics with his 63 receptions from 106 targets and 1140 receiving yards, averaging 18.1 yards per reception while scoring five touchdowns for Pittsburgh’s aerial attack. Furthermore, his 67.1 receiving yards per game and 388 yards after catch illustrate his ability to transform short gains into significant plays.
Bills’ Offensive Powerhouse
The Buffalo Bills boast an effective offensive force, led by James Cook in rushing. Cook amassed 1122 yards on 237 attempts with an impressive average per attempt of 4.7. His 2 touchdowns and 53 first downs gained are evidence of his reliable play in clutch situations, while his 66 average rushing yards per game will help penetrate Steelers defensive line. Stefon Diggs has been outstanding this season as Bills top wide receiver. With 107 receptions from 160 targets, Diggs has amassed 1183 receiving yards. His 8 touchdown catches further demonstrate his ability to find the end zone. At 11.1 yards per reception and 69.6 receiving yards per game respectively, Diggs stands out as an effective addition to Buffalo Bills passing game while 10 plays of 20+ yards demonstrate his deep ball threat.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills 1/14/24 Game Info
| When: | Sunday, January 14, 2024 at 1:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Highmark Stadium |
| TV: | CBS |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Kenny Pickett QB vs. Josh Allen QB
Kenny Pickett has had an outstanding season as the quarterback of the Steelers. With 201 completions out of 324 attempts (a 62% completion rate), 2070 passing yards, 6 touchdowns against 4 interceptions and an 81.4 passer rating and 173 sack yards lost revealed areas for improvement under playoff pressure.
Josh Allen of the Bills stands out with impressive statistics. With 385 completions out of 579 attempts at an astounding 66.5% completion rate and 4306 passing yards and 29 touchdowns under his belt, along with his 92.2 passer rating and 253.3 passing yards per game average, Josh Allen proves himself indispensable to their offense.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Buffalo Bills -505, Total Odds: 35
The betting odds heavily favor the Buffalo Bills with a -505 moneyline and a -10 spread at -105. The total for the game is set at 35 points, with equal odds for over and under. These odds reflect the Bills’ stronger season performance and home advantage.
Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Trends
The Steelers boast an impressive 13-7 against-the-number record over their past 20 games, going over in four of five contests, suggesting high scoring affairs could ensue. Furthermore, their 11-4 ATS record against Buffalo could play an integral part in betting dynamics.
Buffalo Bills Betting Trends
The Bills have enjoyed considerable overall success this season, but are 4-9 ATS over their last 13 games despite outright victories of five, with all five games ending under totals both against Pittsburgh and at home. This may influence betting strategies.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills 1/14/24 Betting Picks
Analysis and betting trends suggest this game could be tightly contested, with the Steelers boasting an impressive against-the-spread record against Buffalo that suggests they could cover even if victory seems out of reach.
The Bills, with their strong home record and Josh Allen’s commanding presence, are likely to emerge victorious, but the Steelers’ resilience could keep the game closer than the odds suggest. The under on the total points seems a safe bet, given both teams’ recent trends. This matchup is a classic case of a high-stakes, tightly contested playoff game where strategic plays could turn the tide at any moment, making it a prime candidate for NFL Wild Card best predictions.
Free Pick and Prediction: Buffalo Bills 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 17