Serving Bills Fans Since 1998 Home BILLS DAILY GAMEDAY PREVIEW GAMEDAY HOMEPAGE Week 3: Bills vs. Steelers Preview The Bills limp home after an atrocious loss to the Indianapolis Colts in a game which they gave up the third most yards in any game in club history. Thanks to the pathetic defensive effort the Bills defense that was number three last year now ranks dead last in the league. Fortunately for the Bills, the Steelers offense isn't nearly as explosive as the Colts offense is. As far as the Bills offense goes, it performed better against the Colts but most of the yardage was gained in garbage time. The team needs to show marked improvement in all areas including cutting back on penalties if they are going to beat even a mediocre team like Pittsburgh. Facts and Figures Matchup: Pittsburgh (0-1) at Buffalo (0-2) Date: Sunday September 30th Place: Ralph Wilson Stadium Time: 1:00pm Television: CBS Announcers: Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots Spread: Steelers by 1 Series: Steelers Lead 10-9 Last Meeting: Bills 24-21 in 1999 Steelers Offense: Rush (8th); Pass(26th); overall (22nd) Steelers Defense: Rush (18th); Pass (15th); overall (14th) Bills Offense: Rush (4th); Pass (24th); overall (14th) Bills Defense: Rush (23rd); Pass (31st); overall (31st) Injury Update To add injury to insult, the Bills suffered an array of injuries in the debacle in Indianapolis last week. The club will definitely be without the services of Brandon Spoon after he dislocated his elbow against the Colts. This is big since he was replacing the already injured Sam Cowart. The best offensive weapon may also be out, Eric Moulds has an injury to his AC joint in his shoulder and will be questionable for this game. The offensive line, already missing Jerry Ostroski, will most likely be without his replacement Jonas Jennings. He injured his hip against the Colts and will be doubtful for the game. John Fina has a quad bruise and may also miss this game causing a huge hole in the already struggling offensive line. The Steelers haven't played a game in three weeks since their bye came after the postponed week. For complete injury news throughout the week and the Official NFL Injury Report go to our Injury Page. Key Matchups DB Ken Irvin vs. WR Plaxico Burress: Burress is starting to develop as a quality receiver but Irvin should be able to use his experience to shut him down in one on one coverage. G Corey Hulsey vs. LB Jason Gildon: Gildon is the best of a talented group of linebackers and he will try to get pressure on Johnson and he will have to go through Hulsey and either Farris or Sullivan on the right side. DE Erik Flowers vs. OT Wayne Gandy: Flowers will need to beat the wily veteran and start showing that he was worth a first round pick. If he can't get sacks, he at least needs to get pressure on the mobile Kordell Stewart. LB Kenyatta Wright vs. RB Jerome Bettis: With Cowart and Spoon out, Wright is the man in the middle. His run stuffing is his strong point and he will need to be at the top of his game to stop the bus. WR Peerless Price vs. DB Deshea Townsend: Price will be the main guy this week if Moulds can't go. They will try to shut him down led by Townsend. For the Bills to win Price needs to continue making big plays and start making a lot of plays. Game Plan When The Bills Have The Ball: The Bills will continue to try to establish a running game that now ranks 4th in the league. It is an inflated ranking though because of big gains by Rob Johnson and Peerless Price. For Travis Henry to be effective the Bills can't fall behind badly again, that takes away carries from the most promising part of the offense. With Moulds hurt, Henry and the running game becomes more important. When The Steelers Have The Ball: The Steelers will try to get the bus rolling early and often. Jerome Bettis will pound away at the Bills front seven. Once that starts to work the Steelers will probably take a play out of the Colts playbook and try some play action to open up the passing game. Bills Daily Prediction This game will be the best barometer to date on how good or bad the Bills are. The Steelers are not nearly as good as the Saints or Colts. With that being said the coaching staff needs to do a lot of work to undo the damage done by the opening two losses. If the Bills confidence is shattered they have no chance. I'm gambling that Coach Williams will have them ready to play at home with the emotions running high: Bills 20, Steelers 19 Season Prediction Record: (1-1) Season Record Against The Spread: (1-1) Complete Statistical Matchup Game Analysis and Review - Coming Sunday Night! Positional Breakdown and Grades - Coming Sunday Night! 2001 Gameday Homepage 2000 Gameday Homepage Back to Bills Daily homepage Articles Index