Who is the Bills star that should keep the Steelers in shipshape for their 2021 season opener?
Last season, the entire NFL was put on notice regarding the Buffalo Bills; that includes the Pittsburgh Steelers. In 2020, Buffalo was a true contender in the AFC, coming within striking distance of their first Super Bowl appearance in over 25 years. Such a run was ended, however, by the then-defending champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.
But while the Bills may have been knocked down, they certainly were not knocked out. This upcoming season (beginning in under a week from now) is also expected to treat the traditionally troubled franchise well. The squad is expected to win another AFC East title and subsequently be a top team in the playoff bracket. And with a roster like theirs, how could that not be the case?
On both offense and defense, Buffalo possesses some of the most lethal players in the NFL. These names include but are not limited to Devin Singletary, Emmanuel Sanders, Cole Beasley, Tre’Davious White, and Jordan Poyer. And who could forget about their young dual-threat QB–who was an MVP candidate last season–Josh Allen?
All of these guys are almost guaranteed to give the Steelers and everyone else a hard time, but someone is missing; someone who made the Pittsburgh defense looks like complete and utter fools in 2020. That player is none other than the veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
Last year was a good one for Diggs with or without his game against Pittsburgh. But considering that the Steel City was donning an outstanding record of 11-1 at the time, while also having one of the top-notch defenses in the league, Diggs went off.
He reeled in 10 completions in total, averaging 13 yards gained with each one. His 130 receiving yards that day were his most obtained against a playoff power throughout Buffalo’s 2020 regular season. And such a performance wasn’t a fluke, either.
While perhaps his most against a playoff team, the aforementioned yardage was only his 4th-highest in the regular season as a whole. Not only that, but in the same exact stretch, his showing against Pittsburgh was one of only seven that saw him surpass 100 yards receiving. In other words, it is safe to say that those types of games are merely just a part of what makes Stefon Diggs who he is, and quite frankly, there has been no sign of it ceasing anytime soon.
Josh Allen is great, but the Steelers pass rush can stifle him some. The Buffalo defensive line is strong, but an improving offensive line should combat it a good deal. And as for the Bills defensive secondary, just don’t throw the ball to them. But despite its solidity, the Steelers own secondary looked out of its element against Diggs, and a cure for that is a lot less black-and-white.