The Bills are my pick to win the Super Bowl, but this is tough way to open the season. The Steelers have won five of the last six at Buffalo, although the Bills won last year at home. The Steelers defense against Josh Allen will be fun to watch, but the game will be decided by the Buffalo defensive front against the Steelers offensive line. I think the Bills will get the best of that, which is why they win to open the season. But it's close.
Pick: Bills 24, Steelers 20
The Steelers are being left for dead despite an offseason spent revamping the offensive line. First-round pick Najee Harris is the answer at running back, and Ben Roethlisberger thrives with that support. Stefon Diggs torched the Steelers for 10 catches for 130 yards in a SNF victory last year. Pittsburgh, with a healthy defense that returns Devin Bush and added Joe Schobert, returns the favor. The over-reaction to Week 1 will follow. Blitzburgh is back.
Pick: Steelers 27, Bills 24
MDS's take: This is one of my favorite games of Week One, and I think it's going to be an impressive showing for the Bills' offense, while Ben Roethlisberger & Co. can't quite keep up.
MDS's pick: Bills 30, Steelers 20.
Florio's take: The Steelers won't have to worry about the accumulating pressure of an 11-0 start in 2021.
Florio's pick: Bills 27, Steelers 20.
The Bills' young pass rush answered some questions in August with the emergence of rookie Gregory Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa. Josh Allen looks ready to mount an MVP campaign. Yet I still think Pittsburgh can keep this game close because NFL games between good teams usually stay close, and the Steelers' talent drain has been overstated; their depth of weaponry and strong defensive front seven should not be underestimated. An underestimated Mike Tomlin traditionally does his best work.
Pick: Bills 30-26
The Steelers deteriorated toward the end of last season while the Bills improved. Pittsburgh drafted Najee Harris in the first round to boost an abysmal rushing attack that netted only 3.6 yards an attempt, ranking last in the league. But quarterback Josh Allen's ascent into being one of the league's best players should continue with Buffalo's addition of wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders to complement Stefon Diggs, who led the N.F.L. in receiving yards and catches last season. ...
Pick: Bills -6.5
