The Buffalo Bills are coming off an incredibly disappointing loss to the Houston Texans on Thursday, with Josh Allen and company struggling to get anything going offensively, resulting in a loss for the second time in three games against what was thought to be an inferior opponent.
In Week 13, the Bills will have an opportunity to bounce back and improve their record to 8-4. However, it won’t be easy, as they’ll have to contend with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have a stout defense led by superstar pass rusher T.J. Watt and a formidable offense with future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers under center.
Aaron Rodgers Expected to Play Against Bills
GettyAaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The biggest question mark heading toward this showdown between AFC heavyweights has been the status of Rodgers, who sat out Week 12’s matchup against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in the Windy City due to a left wrist injury. Mason Rudolph was under center against the Bears, where the Steelers fell short on the road, 31-28.
After the game, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin spoke to the media in his postgame press conference and was asked about Rodgers’ status moving forward.
“I anticipate him being ready for next week,” Tomlin said of Rodgers’ status for Week 13. “It was the prudent decision to make. Certainly, it wasn’t a fluid week for him. It was a fluid week for Mason in terms of reps and so forth, and so I think it will be in our rearview as we move forward. I’m hopeful of that.”
Obviously, the Steelers are a better football team with the four-time NFL MVP under center, so they’ll likely do everything within their power to get him back healthy sooner rather than later.
With the Baltimore Ravens creeping up the AFC North standings and now having an identical 6-5 record compared to the Steelers after beating the New York Jets in Week 12, Pittsburgh has no margin for error, so a lot will be riding on Rodgers’ status heading into Week 13.
Bills Can’t Afford to Drop Games Moving Forward
GettyJosh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills.
The Bills have been pretty streaky as of late, with the team going from beating the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9 to losing to the division rival Miami Dolphins a week later. The same thing happened after that, with Allen and company putting 44 points up against Baker Mayfield‘s Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then coming back down to earth in Week 12, losing to the Houston Texans.
Buffalo has been anything but consistent this season, despite sporting a 7-4 record after 11 games played. It’s a concern that will likely continue to haunt the Bills moving forward. The last thing the team wants is not to be firing on all cylinders heading into the NFL playoffs, especially with the New England Patriots looking like a juggernaut at 10-2 and well on their way to winning the AFC East division title, having won nine straight games.
It’ll be interesting to see if Allen can rally this squad in the final stretch of the season and get back to form as one of the most dominant teams in the league.
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