Steelers vs Bills: Early storylines for the playoffs this week

The Pittsburgh Steelers fought and clawed their way into the playoffs and their prize is a road trip to Orchard Park to take on the red-hot Buffalo Bills. Here are our early storylines for this week.

Who is playing quarterback?

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 06: Mason Rudolph #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after throwing a touchdown in the fourth quarter of a game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

All anyone wants to know right now is who will start at quarterback for the Steelers on Sunday. Mason Rudolph didn’t have his best game on Saturday against the Ravens but much of that can be blamed on the weather. Will head coach Mike Tomlin stick with Rudolph or go back to Kenny Pickett?

Pittsburgh getting healthy or not

Jan 6, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) rushes past Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Morgan Moses (78) during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Steelers should have their safeties back with Minkah Fitzpatrick finally healthy and Damontae Kazee coming off of his suspension but on the other side, Pittsburgh is going to have to deal with the loss of star outside linebacker T.J. Watt.

Another bad weather game

Jan 6, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) rushes as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens (21) defends during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

If there is anything good to come from Pittsburgh taking on the Bills and not the Kansas City Chiefs it might be the playing conditions. The weather in Buffalo won’t be ideal next Sunday but the weather in Kansas City for their game is going to be downright miserable.   Nevertheless, if the weather is bad, Pittsburgh could lean on the run game again.