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Answers to the five questions after the Steelers loss to the Bills

By Edward Hunt

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 15: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills in the game at Heinz Field on December 15, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 15: James Conner #30 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills in the game at Heinz Field on December 15, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 08: Outside linebacker T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 08: Outside linebacker T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

Who will come up with turnovers for the Steelers defense?

The one significant turnover for the Steelers was an interception by Steven Nelson. It was off of a tipped pass; so, I can’t blame Josh Allen for that. The other defensive turnover for the Steelers was a forced fumble by TJ Watt.

The Bills won the turnover battle and that was a difference in this game. The Bills got five turnovers to the Steelers two. This is according to Pro Football Reference. This has been an area where the Steelers have shined in 2019; so, this stat is a disappointment.

Can the Steelers really be the fifth-seed?

The answer is no. The Bills clinched the fifth-seed last night and so the fifth seed in the AFC will either be the Bills or the Patriots. The Patriots have historically won the division and have a better record; so, it looks like the Bills will be the fifth-seed.

Had the game gone differently, that answer to that question would be different too. Had Devlin Hodges come back and thrown a touchdown on the last drive, the Black & Gold could have been the leaders for the fifth-seed. These head-to-head matchups are so important.

Will James Conner play?

James Conner did play as expected. He was listed as questionable on the injury report after practicing fully all week. My take on the situation was the Steelers were playing it coy with James Conner playing.

Did Conner have a good game? No. He only had 62 yards rushing and the Black & Gold needed to go to him more if they were going to win. In Fichtner’s defense, it was hard to use him playing behind a lot of the night and being blitzed on early downs.

Conclusion

The Steelers had a tough loss on Sunday night, but the season isn’t over. The Steelers still have the inside track for the sixth-seed. The Titans also have to play the Saints this week while the Steelers play the Jets so there’s hope.

The big story is the Black & Gold playing against Le’Veon Bell. It will be interesting to see how the Steelers interact with Bell. Will the be forgiving? Will they want revenge.

dark. Next. Steelers have found a way to get the job done without JuJu Smith-Schuster

In case you don’t remember, Bell sat out his last year on the Franchise tag so that he would be healthy for free agency. Bell was upset that the Steelers didn’t offer him more guaranteed money.

The Black & Gold ought to win over the Jets as they are only a 5-9 team. The Jets have upset some good teams though. Just ask the Cowboys.

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