The 5: Steelers to watch in Wild Card game versus Bills
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills go head-to-head during Wild Card weekend of the 2023 NFL playoffs on Sunday, January 14, at Highmark Stadium. A lot is at stake for the Steelers as they enter the game without NFL sack leader T.J. Watt and look to topple to No. 2 seed in the AFC.
If you’re looking for something more wild than Wild Card weekend, you should give spin casino blackjack a shot. In the meantime, we present five Steelers players fans should watch in the post-season game.
Alex Highsmith
It’s not the first time Highsmith has had to play without the lightning to his thunder, but he’ll be asked to coordinate with both Nick Herbig and Markus Golden to create the necessary disruption of Bills quarterback Josh Allen while limiting plays to either end of the line. Highsmith recorded 69 quarterback pressures during the 2023 NFL regular season, and that skill will be valuable against the Bills.
Highsmith has had a great season this year. He recorded two interceptions, one for a touchdown, in addition to three pass defenses, two forced fumbles, seven sacks, eight tackles for a loss, and 18 QB hits.
Damontae Kazee
The Steelers activated Kazee (safety) ahead of the game following his suspension for what the league had determined was repetitive unnecessary roughness. While that was arguably, Kazee served the suspension and may have a bit of a chip on his shoulder as he readies for Sunday’s game. As a result, Trenton Thompson was moved to the practice squad.
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Also at safety, Fitzpatrick returned to practice with the Steelers on Wednesday. Head coach Mike Tomlin expressed cautious optimism about how much Fitzpatrick will do as practices progress throughout the week.
If Fitzpatrick and Kazee are both a full-go on Sunday, it’s expected that Patrick Peterson will be moved back to a cornerback role. It’s fortuitous, however, that Peterson got snaps at safety during the final games of the regular season should the need arise in the game against the Bills.
Mason Rudolph
The veteran quarterback has the “hot hand” after helping to lead the Steelers through a three-game win streak that aided them in getting into the playoffs. He’ll be given the start on Sunday. With experience in his favor, and a connection with the offense that has built over the course of the final games of the regular season, it makes sense that he takes the reins and go head-to-head with Josh Allen.
Najee Harris
Harris showed up on Wednesday’s injury report with a knee injury. All indications are that it’s not serious. The Wild Card game is expected to be a cold, blustery atmosphere weather-wise, and that bodes well for the consecutive three year 1,000-yard rusher. The run game will be a major factor in how successful the Steelers offense operates.
That doesn’t eliminate the value of fellow rusher Jaylen Warren. Warren is versatile, athletic, and has a style that compliments Harris – even if it is a little different. Warren has shown the ability to create plays to the outside while Harris is more of a north-south bruiser. Those complimentary features make this running back duo dangerous out of the backfield and in the open field as options in the short passing game.
