With a comfortable win for the Buffalo Bills against the Pittsburgh Steelers, here are three key takeaways from the game.
After having the game moved from Sunday to Monday, the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers finally took the field to wrap up the first round of the AFC Playoffs. As a big favorite, the Bills were expected to handle business at home against the Steelers, and they were able to do just that.
In the win, it didn’t feel like the Steelers belonged against the Bills, as their offense wasn’t great and their defense was scorched without T.J. Watt. While there will be a lot of questions for the Steelers this offseason, the Bills were impressive and will be hosting Kansas City next weekend.
With that being said, here are three key takeaways from the Bills’ win over the Steelers.
Kincaid continues to emerge
Throughout the season for the Bills, there has been talk about needing a second option in the passing game to Stefon Diggs. Now, while Dalton Kincaid isn’t a wide receiver, he is emerging as that secondary option that the Bills need in the passing attack.
In the win against the Steelers, Kincaid led Buffalo in receiving with 59 receiving yards on three receptions. Kincaid also found the endzone for Buffalo in the win. After two games to end the season totaling over 80 receiving yards, Kincaid is the No.2 option for Josh Allen and the passing attack now.
The ground game is strong
One of the noticeable changes for the Bills, when they switched their offensive coordinators, was a commitment to running the football. While Josh Allen has always been a good running quarterback, the Bills never seemed committed to establishing a traditional ground game. Now, with a running back like James Cook, the Bills have found success on the ground.
In the win, Cook totaled 79 rushing yards on 18 carries for a 4.4-yard per-carry average. In addition to Cook having a solid day on the ground, Allen also totaled 74 rushing yards with a long touchdown run.
The commitment to the ground game has been good for the Bills as teams have to prepare for anything against them.
Allen shines
Despite sub-par weather in Buffalo, Josh Allen had a great performance against the Steelers. To start the game, Allen was slicing up the Pittsburgh pass defense and helped set the tone. With a two-touchdown lead early, the Bills’ offense was able to take away the rushing attack for the Steelers and force the Steelers to throw the ball more.
In the win, Allen totaled 203 passing yards and three passing touchdowns. While it wasn’t a massive 300+ yard performance, the timing of when Allen did his work through the air was key.
Allen has had a really strong stretch since the change in play-calling, and now he will be getting his chance for some revenge against the Kansas City Chiefs next week.