Both the Steelers and Bills need this game for their playoff positions but Pittsburgh needs it more. Both teams have managed to play better than many would expect, as the Bills weren’t considered as a threat to the Patriots in the NFC East and the Steelers lost Ben Roethlisberger in Week 2 and have been winning on defense for the most part.
The Bills loss to the Ravens last week does make it nearly impossible for them to beat out the Patriots for the division but there is a chance if they can beat the Patriots in Foxboro next week and the Patriots lose to wither the Bengals this week or Dolphins in Week 17.
There is also a chance the Texans could beat Buffalo out for the last wild card spot if the Bills lose their last three games and the Titans sweep the Texans. The odds are long and the Bills have scenarios where they could lose all three and still make the playoffs.
The Steelers, on the other hand, need wins to stay ahead of the Titans or Texans. A win over the Bills would move them into the fifth seed in the playoffs and Buffalo into sixth for the time being. A loss would make their path to the playoffs much tougher. They would then likely need to beat the Jets in New Jersey and win in Baltimore in the season finale. There’s a good chance Lamar Jackson would sit that Week 17 game out but it still wouldn’t be an easy win.
The Bills do have a tough schedule, against these Steelers on the road and then to New England but they would get a reprieve in Week 17 at home against the Jets if they still needed a win to make the playoffs.
To Make the Playoffs
Bills: Off the board
Steelers: Yes (-186), No (+150)
Division winner
Bills: +750 to win AFC East (Patriots lead at -1250)
Steelers: Off the board
AFC Champ
Bills: +2000
Steelers: +3300
Super Bowl Champ
Bills: +4500
Steelers: +6600
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