Steelers eye key mismatch to slow down Josh Allen

Steelers eye key mismatch to slow down Josh Allen originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Pittsburgh Steelers face a daunting challenge Sunday when Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills roll into town. Every game from here on out is essentially a playoff game for Pittsburgh, locked in a tight division race with the Baltimore Ravens and with two crucial head-to-head matchups still on the schedule.

On paper, the matchup looks bleak. The Steelers boast the NFL’s worst pass defense, while Allen is one of the league’s most dynamic quarterbacks. But there’s a glimmer of hope—one matchup that could tip the scales in Pittsburgh’s favor: the ground game.

Buffalo ranks first in the NFL in pass defense, surrendering just 168 yards per game, but they’re near the bottom against the run, giving up 148 yards per contest, 30th in the league. If Pittsburgh wants to keep Allen off the field and tilt the game in their favor, they’ll need to unleash their full stable of running backs, including rookie Kaleb Johnson. The Steelers’ running game has been inconsistent this season, and their overall offense often struggles to find rhythm. But controlling the tempo and the clock through a committed rushing attack could be the key to slowing down Buffalo’s high-powered offense. For four full quarters, Pittsburgh must pound the football, protect the ball, and force Allen into as many long drives as possible.

Sunday’s game isn’t just another matchup—it’s a test of patience, physicality, and strategic discipline. If the Steelers commit to dominating the trenches and running the football, they might just turn the odds in their favor. Otherwise, facing Josh Allen and the league’s best passing defense, Pittsburgh could be left watching another playoff opportunity slip away.