‘Wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee), safety Taylor Rapp (calf), linebacker Tyrel Dodson (shoulder), and cornerback Rasul Douglas (knee) were set to be non-participants during the Bills’ Wednesday walk-through practice, per head coach Sean McDermott, who spoke to reporters before the session. Each player is recovering from respective ailments, which forced them from action during Buffalo’s win over Miami this past week.’
BillsBeat - January 11, 2024
Bills backups seizing opportunities when presented offers big help heading into playoffs
‘The Bills love to use the “next-man-up” phrase, but this year it’s not just patching holes and hoping to hide them. Buffalo has found unlikely performances throughout its five-game winning streak and it has been a big reason for the late-season turnaround.’
Positive Vibes: The positivity of resilience and the Buffalo Bills
‘Five weeks ago I didn’t have a lot of faith. The Bills had lost three out of four games and sat with a record of 6-6. They needed to win out to assure a playoff spot. I actually said, “I think the Sabres have a better chance of making the playoffs than the Bills do.” The Bills had lost earlier in the season to the lowly Jets and Patriots. I went on to rank how Allen has tons of talent but his decision making can be suspect or rather poor at times.’
Thursday's Pittsburgh Coverage
Steelers veterans out to exorcise ghosts of playoffs past (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Ron Cook: Mike Tomlin stepping away from Steelers could be a best-case scenario (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Joe Starkey: Can Pittsburgh hand Buffalo yet another all-time heartbreak? (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
How much credit goes to Mike Tomlin for the Steelers’ late turnaround? (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Mark Madden: Without T.J. Watt, Steelers’ coaching strategy will be key to containing Josh Allen (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Tim Benz: Steelers’ QB depth chart debate is self-made distraction (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Without T.J. Watt, Markus Golden going to ‘keep hunting’ at outside linebacker for Steelers (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Cameron Heyward not thinking about ‘nonsense’ of Steelers being 10-point underdogs to Bills (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Change in practice venue chance for Steelers’ Mike Tomlin to get week off on right foot (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick a full participant at Steelers practice (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Damontae Kazee back on Steelers’ active roster; fellow safety Trenton Thompson to IR (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Steelers’ T.J. Watt named AFC defensive player of the week (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)
Buffalo v. Pittsburgh: What sets the two cities’ culture apart? (Beaver County Times)
Mike Tomlin brought the 2023 Steelers back from the brink (ESPN)
Steelers’ Damontae Kazee activated for playoff showdown vs. Bills after three-game suspension (CBS Sports)
2024 NFL playoffs: Three reasons why Steelers will beat Bills in Super Wild Card Weekend (CBS Sports)
J.J. Watt to the Steelers? Retired NFLer jokes about replacing T.J. Watt for playoff game (KDKA-TV)
Bills Mafia co-founder explains what Steelers fans can expect from Buffalo fanbase (KDKA-TV)
“Won’t you guide us to the Super Bowl?” Oakmont Bakery reveals specialty Mason Rudolph cupcakes (KDKA-TV)
Steelers practice at Acrisure Stadium ahead of Sunday’s playoff game (WPXI-TV)
‘Dynamite’ Nick Herbig could make huge impact for Steelers (WPXI-TV)
Steelers dealing with 5 significant injuries (WPXI-TV)
Steelers re-sign punter Brad Wing to practice squad ahead of playoffs (WPXI-TV)
Oakmont Bakery serves up Mason Rudolph cupcakes to celebrate Steelers in the playoffs (WTAE-TV)
Heyward-being 10-point underdog is a lot of nonsense (KDKA-FM)
Practice report as the team moved to Acrisure Stadium (KDKA-FM)
Watt Player of the Week, but not First Team All-Pro (KDKA-FM)
Pittsburgh is being affected with Mason Mania (KDKA-FM)
Bills sideline reporter dooms Buffalo’s chances after Terrible Towel comment (KDKA-FM)
Rudolph taking same approach into playoffs (Steelers.com)
Wild Card Injury Report (Bills) (Steelers.com)
Steelers restore Kazee to active roster (Steelers.com)
Steelers sign Wing to practice squad (Steelers.com)
Another honor for Watt (Steelers.com)
Asked and Answered: Jan. 11 (Steelers.com)
Rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid provides Bills another option after nearly giving up on football
‘“I’d probably be selling real estate or traveling,” Kincaid told The Associated Press on Wednesday, in preparing to make his playoff debut when the Buffalo Bills (11-6) host the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) on Sunday. “Yeah, that’s something I think about often. It’s crazy to me, too.”’
Can Bills win a title in QB Josh Allen's most polarizing season yet?
‘Allen accounted for 412 (345 passing, 67 rushing) of the team’s 473 yards of total offense. He threw two touchdowns. And he managed the fourth quarter with his legs in a way I’ve seen few quarterbacks do, with a conversion on third-and-13 where he scrambled for 15 yards and short rushes that ended with in-bounds slides to keep the clock running. The scramble was the most crucial play on a drive that burned 4 minutes and 21 precious seconds. Those runs and slides were a display of smart football — but not the traditional quarterback play we see in late-game situations.’
Peyton Manning Says Josh Allen, Bills Are Team No One Wants to Face in Playoffs
‘”I’m not sure anybody wants really to play the Bills right now because they’re not sure what they’re going to get. They are hoping to get the inconsistent. If they get hot Josh Allen, look out,” Manning said.’
Deonte Harty named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week
‘Harty was named the Week 18 AFC Special Teams Player of the Week on Wednesday after returning a punt 96 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of Buffalo’s 21-14 win over the Dolphins.’
AFC East merchandise available now at Bills Store
‘”We definitely have a decent amount of champ merch. We’ve got hoodies, long sleeves, some t-shirts, knits and a couple of headwear pieces. Really the hope is to move a little bit further along, and have AFC Championship gear here,” said Jason Klein, general manager of retail at the Bills Store.’
Local retailers see late-season surge for Bills merchandise ahead of playoffs
‘”The holiday season is always a big bump in sales and retail sales, but something special happens when the Bills make the playoffs, and not just the playoffs,” said Nathan Mroz, owner of the BFLO Store. “When you talk about another AFC East title, and not just a title, we’re talking about, really, a dynasty now with four-straight division titles. That’s always great for business not just for our store here, but also in the region. I think everybody, economically speaking, really benefits when the Bills do well.”‘
CB Rasul Douglas, WR Gabe Davis among injured Bills held out of practice
‘Three players missed Wednesday’s walk-through practice with injuries sustained in Sunday night’s win at Miami: cornerback Rasul Douglas (knee), wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee), and safety Taylor Rapp (shoulder). Additionally, Pro Bowl left tackle Dion Dawkins (hand laceration), linebacker Tyrel Dodson (shoulder), and running back Ty Johnson (concussion protocol) were limited participants, while defensive ends Leonard Floyd and Von Miller were rested on Wednesday.’
Deonte Harty displayed special talent at opportune time for Bills
‘The longest-scoring play in the NFL this season was the most impactful play Harty has made since signing with the Bills as a free agent, and it was recognized Wednesday with Harty’s selection as AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.’
Pittsburgh restaurants boycott “Buffalo” wings, sauce ahead of Bills-Steelers playoff game
‘“As a Steelers fan, in the playoffs, there is no way I’m doing anything to support anything Buffalo at my restaurant,” said Pittsburgh-area restaurant owner Bubba Snider. “Period. End of story.”’
Bills are ready to embrace physicality of facing Steelers, playoff football
‘”Just trying to take it one moment at a time, get our bodies right, understanding that we’re going to have to face a very physical AFC North team,” Bills center Mitch Morse said. “Kind of their brand of football, the AFC North, and we know if we want to have any sort of success on Sunday, we’re going to have to match their physicality and intensity.”‘
Banged up Buffalo Bills prepare for Pittsburgh Steelers
‘Running back Ty Johnson is in concussion protocol,, and left tackle Dion Dawkins will be limited in Wednesdays workout with a hand laceration he suffered in Sunday night’s win.’