Week 10: Bills vs. Steelers
at
Sunday, Nov. 10th
1:00pm ET
The Bills head to Pittsburgh to take on a struggling Steelers team this week. This could be the last stand for both of these teams with the losing team's playoff hopes all but officially dashed. EJ Manuel should be back under center for the Bills after missing four games with a sprained LCL. Pittsburgh hasn't lost to a rookie quarterback with Ben Roethlisberger at QB since 2004.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Matchup: Buffalo (3-6) vs. Pittsburgh (2-6)
Place: Heinz Field
TV/Radio: Network: CBS; DirecTV: 710; Sirius: 117
Announcers: Marv Albert and Rich Gannon
Spread: Steelers by 3
Series: Steelers lead 12-8 (Steelers 2-1 in playoffs)
Streak: Steelers Won 4
Last Meeting: Steelers 19-16 OT in Buffalo (2010)
Steelers Offense: Rush (28th); Pass (8th); overall (18th)
Steelers Defense: Rush (31st); Pass (4th); overall (12th)
Bills Offense: Rush (7th); Pass (28th); overall (15th)
Bills Defense: Rush (17th); Pass (18th); overall (20th)


INJURY UPDATE

The Bills are getting healthier at every position but wide receiver. Robert Woods suffered an ankle sprain against Kansas City and will likely sit this week. Marquise Goodwin pulled his hamstring in that game and will likely be questionable to play this week. Besides likely getting EJ Manuel back, Thad Lewis should also be available after missing last week's game with sore ribs. C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson are now healthy and not on the injury report.

The Steelers lost CB Ike Taylor and ILB Vince Williams to concussions against New England. It appears both players are unlikely to play this week.

Check out our Bills Daily Injury Page throughout the week for the latest updates on the injured players.

KEY MATCHUPS

RT Erik Pears vs. OLB LaMarr Woodley:
Pears did well last week but again faces a quality outside linebacker. Woodley leads the Steelers with five sacks.

RB C.J. Spiller vs. LB Lawrence Timmons:
They say Spiller's ankle injury is behind him. He showed some explosiveness last week. He needs a huge game this week and will need to look for Timmons who leads the way in tackles for Pittsburgh.

DE Mario Williams vs. LT Kelvin Beachum:
Williams is having a big second year in Buffalo and the Steelers offensive line have given up a whopping 32 sacks. This could be another big day for the Bills $100 Million man.

CB Stephon Gilmore vs. WR Antonio Brown:
Gilmore is still shaking off the rust after missing the early part of the season with a broken wrist. He now has the big club off and will be following Brown all over the field.

KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Ball Security: The Bills have turned the ball over six times over the past two games and it has led to 31 points for their opponents. It's simple but not easy: Protect the ball and you have a better chance to win.
2. Goal Line Efficiency: The last few weeks the Bills offense has gone anemic the closer they got to the end zone. They need to get seven instead of three or nothing when they get down by the goal line if they are going to win this week.
3. Contain Roethlisberger: Big Ben is very good at escaping pressure. The Bills not only need to pressure him but they need to keep him from running around and buying time to make big plays.

BILLS DAILY PREDICTION

Both teams come into this game desperate and angry. The Steelers had perhaps the worst defensive performance in their history against New England last week while the Bills dominated undefeated Kansas City before losing. It could come down to who wants it more but I think they both want it pretty badly. Pittsburgh is an extremely tough place to play no matter how much the Steelers are struggling. The Bills have only won their twice ever including a playoff win. With a home field advantage and a veteran quarterback, I give them a slight edge:
Steelers 20, Bills 17

Season Prediction Record: (5-4)
Season Record Against The Spread: (4-5)

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