The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a losing performance in Week 12 vs. the Bears in Chicago, and it is time to see if they can get back to their winning trend heading into next week. The hope is there are awesome performances on the horizon on Sunday in Week 13 when the team hosts the Buffalo Bills in their AFC conference battle.

What exactly do the Steelers need to do to claim their seventh victory of 2025? Let’s break it down by offense and defense…

Offense

Keep it Clean

It has been a while since the Steelers had a game where they didn’t turn the ball over, and that is something which needs to happen vs. the Bills on Sunday afternoon. This season the Bills have 13 takeaways, which isn’t some astounding number, but it isn’t the worst either. A middle-of-the-road defense in this regard. The Steelers have 12 turnovers this season, and that too is not a huge number, but the theme of today’s game should be the Steelers give the Bills nothing free. No extra possessions. No great field position. Play a clean game.

Run it on ’em

The Buffalo Bills run defense  is one of the worst in the league, surrendering 148.9 yards per game. This ranks them 30th in the league in this statistical category. Meanwhile, the Steelers run offense is averaging just 97.1 yards per game, which is 27th in the league. The Steelers will be without Broderick Jones, but that means it could be time for the Steelers offense to “Jumbo it up” and lean heavily on their jumbo package to run the football. Doing so with a quarterback who is banged up in Aaron Rodgers would also greatly benefit from a solid running game.

Convert

Conversion rates are extremely important for me in two statistical categories. 3rd down success rate and red-zone conversions top my lists every week. Let’s start at on 3rd downs.

The Steelers 3rd down offense is converting first downs 40.2% of the time, which is12th in the league, with the Bills 3rd down defense surrendering first down conversions 37.9% of the time, which is 16th in the league. Both relatively even in this regard.

As for red-zone success, the Steelers red-zone offense converts touchdowns 66.7% of the time, tied for 3rd in the league, with the Bills red-zone defense surrendering touchdowns 56.25% of opponents trips, which is 15th in the league.

The team who wins in these areas is likely to be the victor in Week 13.

Defense

Slow down the run

The Bills run defense is one of the worst in the league, but the Bills run offense is averaging 147.2 yards per game, which is 1st in the league. Stopping this run defense won’t be easy, but the Steelers run defense has been improving throughout the season and are now surrendering 105.7 yards per game, 15th in the league. This is a stark improvement from where the Steelers started the season.

For those thinking the Steelers aren’t capable of shutting down a top notch running game, just think back to the game vs. Colts where they held Jonathan Taylor and company to 55 yards. It’s possible, and also necessary.

Spy Josh Allen

Josh Allen is a unique beast, in regards to the current prototype for NFL quarterbacks. Allen is capable of doing damage with both is arm and leg, but his running hasn’t been as prominent this season compared to years prior. This season Josh Allen has rushed for 371 yards, 33.7 yards per game, and it is tough enough where the Steelers should consider spying him with a defender.

Who will be the spy? My vote is for Payton Wilson. The Steelers will have to have a plan in place for run stopping, but Wilson is athletic and fast enough to keep up with Allen.

Force FGs, not TDs

Again, let’s talk about those conversion statistics and who has the advantage.

The Bills 3rd down offense is converting 43.3% of the time, 4th in the league, while the Steelers 3rd down defense has plummeted down the rankings and is now allowing conversions on 42.7% of opponents trips, which is 27th in the league. A clear advantage here leaning in Buffalo’s favor.

As for red-zone, the Bills red-zone offense is converting touchdowns 63.16%, 8th best in the league, with the Steelers red-zone defense surrendering touchdowns on 55.26% of opponents trips into the red area, which is 11th in the league.

As I stated before, the team who wins in these areas is very likely to be the team who claims victory Sunday.

I talk about this, and MUCH more on the Friday episode of “Let’s Ride”, and you can hear that podcast in the player below this article. In the meantime, be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the team as they gear up for game time!