ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Each week, our football staff at DK Pittsburgh Sports predicts the Steelers' game. This week, we're also predicting both conferences' playoff teams and eventual champions, as well as the Lombardi winner.
For a full preview of the Steelers' game, check my Kickoff.
Dale Lolley (13-4 last season): The spread on this game was the Bills favored by 6 1/2 all offseason. Buffalo's good. Are the Bills 6 1/2 points better than the Steelers? Maybe. Not having Stephon Tuitt or Zach Banner hurts. But Kevin Colbert has done a good job of building depth on this roster, even on the offensive line -- though it lacks star power. That said, it's a tall task to go into Buffalo, in front of a hostile crowd, and win. Bills, 26-20
AFC playoff teams: (in order of seeding) Bills, Chiefs, Browns, Titans, Steelers, Chargers, Patriots
NFC playoff teams: (in order of seeding) Packers, Buccaneers, Rams, Cowboys, 49ers, Saints, Seahawks
Super Bowl: Bills over Rams
Ramon Foster (11-6 last season): I trust Pittsburgh's run game more. I know the O-line's inexperienced, but there are some athletes there, and Adrian Klemm will have them ready. Committing to the run and Najee Harris will be important. You have to commit to the run. Ben Roethlisberger will have a better, efficient game than Josh Allen. It won't be easy, but I have faith. Steelers, 27-21
AFC playoff teams: (in order of seeding) Chiefs, Bills, Steelers, Titans, Browns, Ravens, Chargers
NFC playoff teams: (in order of seeding) Rams, Packers, Buccaneers, Cowboys, 49ers, Seahawks, Saints
Super Bowl: Packers over Chiefs
Chris Carter (13-4 last season): The Bills have a talented quarterback, several weapons on offense and viable threats on defense. The Steelers will have the better defense in this game and certainly can win, but that offensive line needs time to gel. There's a chance they take advantage of the Bills being the 18th-ranked rushing defense and missing Star Lotuleilei, but I'd bank more on Allen coming through late. Bills, 27-24
AFC playoff teams: (in order of seeding) Chiefs, Bills, Steelers, Titans, Browns, Chargers, Patriots
NFC playoff teams: (in order of seeding) Rams, Packers, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Seahawks, 49ers, Saints
Super Bowl: Packers over Chiefs
Tom Reed (13-4 last season): The Bills reached the AFC championship game last season, and it wasn't a fluke. They have been building an impressive club for several seasons, and this year's unit looks like their strongest. This is a tough ask on the road for a Steelers team in transition. Bills, 27-21
AFC playoff teams: (in order of seeding:) Chiefs, Bills, Browns, Titans, Chargers, Steelers, Patriots
NFC playoff teams: (in order of seeding) Packers, Buccaneers, Rams, Cowboys, Seahawks, 49ers. Saints
Super Bowl: Packers over Bills
Eddie Provident: There are no doubts about what the Bills do well. With Allen at quarterback, and Stefon Diggs, Cole Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders at wide receiver, there is an obvious mismatch considering the question marks in the Steelers' secondary. However, the Steelers have their own riches at the skill positions and their offense will keep up. Steelers, 35-31
AFC playoff teams: (in order of seeding) Chiefs, Bills, Titans, Steelers, Browns, Colts, Raiders.
NFC playoff teams: (in order of seeding) Buccaneers, Packers, Rams, Washington, Saints, Cowboys, Bears
Super Bowl: Chiefs over Rams
Dejan Kovacevic (11-6 last season): So much about this matchup has me uneasy from the Pittsburgh perspective, chiefly the defense's ability to contain Stefon Diggs. He almost singularly decided the outcome here last season, and all he and the Bills have done since then is improve. But I do envision significant strides made on offense, presuming Najee touches the ball 25-plus times. Bills, 31-24
AFC playoff teams: (in order of seeding:) Chiefs, Bills, Steelers, Titans, Browns, Ravens, Dolphins
NFC playoff teams: (in order of seeding) Rams, Packers, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Seahawks, Bears, Cardinals
Super Bowl: Chiefs over Buccaneers
Let's have your picks in the comments!
