Maybe a 6-5 record might not seem like the end of the world, especially in a tight AFC playoff race, but it's close. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ season has quickly unraveled, marked by a sharp decline in the standings since their 4–1 start earlier in the year. They have regressed since that high point of the campaign, and with only six games remaining, it's hard to imagine them flipping a switch.
The team enters Week 13 with plenty of issues to address.
They host the Buffalo Bills, who are in direct competition with the Steelers for one of the playoff slots. If Pittsburgh loses on Sunday, its playoff chances would all but vanish without a miracle. Pittsburgh lost to the Chargers, and another loss to another AFC contender like Buffalo would only sink their chances.
As the season continues to sink, both the offense and defense have shown persistent flaws. They are both inconsistent units without clear identities. With Broderick Jones and Derrick Harmon out of the lineup, the Bills will find more avenues to destroy the Steelers.
With Josh Allen at the helm, he has found routine ways of dissecting Mike Tomlin's teams throughout his elite career.
Pittsburgh Steelers' Week 13 Still Curtain predictions provide a devastating outlook
"The Pittsburgh Steelers lost their first-place position in the AFC North with the Week 12 loss to the Bears, and Mike Tomlin's team can't afford another setback in the standings after Week 13. Unfortunately, the Steelers get Josh Allen and the Bills up next. Buffalo is coming off a disheartening loss to the Houston Texans and will be looking for a bounce-back performance in Pittsburgh. Including the playoffs, quarterback Josh Allen is 4-1 against the Steelers all-time, and he shouldn't have any trouble beating up a defense that just allowed 31 points to Caleb Williams and the Bears." - Tommy Jaggi (Bills 34-27)
"Plenty of Steelers fans have had this Bills matchup circled as a likely loss since the NFL released the 2025 schedule. Nothing Pittsburgh has shown this season has changed that stance. The Steelers can keep it competitive, if you're looking for a silver lining." - Jacob Harrison (Bills 32-24)
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"Mike Tomlin and his coaching staff felt the pressure from last Week's loss to the Chicago Bears and prepare their men for battle the right way this week. I expect Josh Allen to be normal but not exceptional, falling captive to a reawakening Pittsburgh defense led by T.J. Watt and Jalen Ramsey. Steelers force 2 turnovers, Aaron Rodgers returns and progresses the offense. " - Loyal Ricks Jr. (Steelers 28-26)
"The Steelers are a team reeling right now. The defense has gotten better, but the offense is slumping. Aaron Rodgers will provide a small boost, but it feels like a tall task against the Bills. The only way the Steelers win is if the defense forces multiple turnovers once again. I don't see it happening." - Andrew Falce (Bills 30-23)
Final prediction goes with Buffalo's offense being too much to handle
Final Prediction: Steelers 24, Bills 36
It’s difficult to pick the Steelers winning this game without capturing some unexpected lightning in a bottle.
The Bills may not be the dominant force they were over the past two seasons, but they remain a strong team. Their defense can be vulnerable at times, and Allen is prone to the occasional questionable interception, but the Steelers haven’t experienced that firsthand.
We all know how ugly games can become when Tomlin-led defenses face off against elite quarterbacks. That is one of the reasons why this franchise hasn't won a playoff game since 2017. They can't compete against quality gunslingers. Expect Allen to have a terrific bounce-back performance after the Bills' disappointing Thursday Night Football battle last week.
Without Jones in the lineup, the Steelers' offensive line will struggle with Aaron Rodgers back in the fold. Unless their offense starts to take chances over the middle of the field, this game is as good as dead. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Bills get ahead by two scores before halftime. At that point, Rodgers will take some risks that could result in turnovers.
That will only make the difference worse.
To a degree, the Steelers and Bills share a similar team philosophy, but Buffalo has the advantage of an elite quarterback in Josh Allen. Pittsburgh’s only path to keeping this game close is to drastically adjust its scheme, much like it did against the Colts. That probably won't happen, and Allen's magnificent track record against the Steelers will continue in Week 13 of the season.