Steelers vs Bills joint practice: What to expect when the two teams meet

Get ready for some excitement next week as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills gear up for a joint practice. On Thursday, August 15, the two teams will meet ahead of their preseason game on Saturday, August 17th. This will be the Steelers' first joint practice since 2016 when they hosted the Detroit Lions in Latrobe.

Joint practices are known for their intensity and competitiveness, especially as players who have been facing off against their own teammates throughout training camp finally get a chance to challenge new opponents. Here’s what to expect when these two teams meet.

How the Steelers offensive line holds up 

During the first team periods and individual drills, particularly the one-on-ones, all eyes will be on the Steelers' offensive line. This will be an early test for the unit, as they face the stout defensive front of the Buffalo Bills. A strong performance here could signal a positive shift for an O-line that needs to step up and potentially become a key strength for the team.

This session will also be crucial in evaluating rookies Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier, assessing whether they’re ready to step into starting roles by Week 1. Additionally, it will be interesting to see if Broderick Jones can make a significant leap in his second year. Overall, this matchup provides a valuable opportunity to measure the line's progress and readiness for the upcoming season.

Steelers defense vs a Elite QB 

The Bills have lost some key offensive weapons with Stefon Diggs traded to the Texans and Gabriel Davis signing with the Jaguars in free agency. Despite these departures, facing Josh Allen—one of the top 2-3 quarterbacks in the league—will be no easy task. This will provide an excellent test for Pittsburgh's defense, which has improved significantly on paper.

With the Steelers set to face some of the league's best quarterbacks this season, this practice will be a valuable gauge of their readiness. If the defense can dominate in this joint practice session, it will boost their confidence to go head-to-head with the top offenses in the NFL.

Physicalness between the two teams

These two teams, especially their defenses, are known for their physicality—an identity shaped by head coaches Mike Tomlin and Sean McDermott. Both coaches, who were teammates at William & Mary, will undoubtedly want to set a tone during this joint practice. Given that the Steelers lost to this team in last season's playoffs, there's likely still some lingering tension and a desire for payback among Pittsburgh's players.

This practice is sure to be physical and intense. With the Steelers already involved in a couple of preseason scuffles, it’s almost certain that tempers will flare when they get the chance to hit someone other than a teammate. While this practice will be closed to the public, it promises to be a highly competitive and entertaining session.