Steelers-Bills: Live preseason chat, updates and analysis
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Christopher Carter
6:52
Alright, let's get this party started. I'm also not at the game as Gerry Dulac is our lone reporter at Highmark Stadium.

Lots of players not dressed like:
Roman Wilson
Mason McCormick
Troy Fautanu
Rayshawn Jenkins
Aaron Rodgers
DK Metcalf
Jaquan Brisker

We'll get to see more today maybe from the young guys.
Steeler Dan
6:52
Why hasn't Broderick Jones been considered for OG? His issues are in pass protection, which doesn't seem to be getting much better.
Christopher Carter
6:55
Partially because I think they were committed before to him learning OT and being strong there -- which he was doing a solid job of when he was injured.

Now, I think it's because they know they've only got one more year with him and this is the position he knows.
Steeltown
6:55
Hey Chris, Excited to get the season started and cautiously optimistic about how they’ll play. My biggest concern is stopping the run. The Steelers have not been very good at that for a number of years now, do you see that changing this year?
Christopher Carter
7:01
Last year they were just below middle of the league, but they were pretty strong in this department in 2024 when they ranked 5th in yards per attempt allowed and 6th in yards allowed.

They also were a lot better at stopping the run when Derrick Harmon was on the field last year -- as in they went from allowing 4.5 yards per rush when he was off the field to just 3.8 yards per rush when he was on the field.

To understand how big of a gap that was: 4.5 yards per rush would've ranked them 25th in the NFL vs 3.8 ranking them 2nd.

I think they rise up from 19th overall like where they were last year and get closer to the top 10. I really like the defensive front and their D-line depth.
JPInPDX
7:01
Surprised to see Wilson not dressing tonight?
Christopher Carter
7:01
Very, actually. I don't think Roman Wilson's shown enough to not dress.
RJ
7:02
Which qb is starting?!?!
Christopher Carter
7:02
Will Howard gets the nod again to start. Howard with the 1s/2s, Allar with the 3s/4s in the second half.
7:03
KICKOFF: The Steelers kick and Eli Heidenreich makes a solid special teams tackle.
7:04
First snap, Elandon Roberts knifes into the backfield for a tackle at the line.

Then Robert Spears-Jennings makes a tackle on a screen to force 3rd and 7.
7:05
Bills QB Shane Buechele converts with a pass underneath of Doneiko Slaughter. Looked like Slaughter forgot where the first down was, or he had a deep zone responsibility.
Ken Ward
7:05
Hi Chris, love your work! Who do you think makes the five guys on the OL to start the season.....knowing tonight is a big night for #60. Thanks
Christopher Carter
7:06
I still think it's the starters as we've seen them. Cook has not been great but Jones has been very bad and Iheanachor has been hurt.
Pittaz
7:06
Is the new Metcalf deal to free up money for JPJ?
Christopher Carter
7:06
Unlikely. Porter's money would primarily apply 2027 and beyond. Freeing up 2026 cap space doesn't help that.
7:07
Buechele misses a wide open Skyler Bell over the middle. Bell cooked Daylen Everette but it's 3rd and 10.
7:08
3rd and long again.

Steelers send 6 on a blitz, but it's picked up and it's an easy connection for Buechele. Was agaisnt zone. Daylen Everette needed to do better on the tackle, but Cole Holcomb came to finish.
Yitzer
7:08
Dreaded third and long can’t stop it.  Hopefully not going to have this again this yesr
Christopher Carter
7:09
Mostly backups out there, but they also struggled with the starter in last week too. So, it's an issue.
MeanLouGreene
7:10
We love you, Chris! Thanks for ALL that you do!
Christopher Carter
7:12
FIELD GOAL: The Bills stall in the red zone but get 3 on the board from a 33-yard kick.

Drive: 13 plays, 59 yards, 5:27.

Bills 3, Steelers 0.

Will Howard time.
7:14
Steelers benefit from the Bills' backups missing on some open opportunities with a drop and missed an open receiver or two.
MrHappyGoLucky
7:14
It’s amazing how automatic these completions are, isn’t it?
Pittaz
7:14
It looks like the Bills watched the Jets first drive from last week.
JPInPDX
7:14
New D looks like the old D ..:
Christopher Carter
7:15
No Max Iheanachor on the starting offensive line. Dylan Cook at LT, Broderick Jones at RT.
7:16
Gennings Dunker on the staring offensive line at right guard though>

But a sack for a loss of 10 on Howard. Looked like he had a few seconds to look around but eventually was swarmed up the middle.

After a checkdown to Riley Nowakowski, it's 3rd and 12.
Howard gives to Nichols for a draw and he gets 9 to force 4th and 3, but the Steelers punt. 3-and-out.
Barry in MD
7:17
Acrisure startin to look outdated
Christopher Carter
7:17
TURNOVER. Bills muff the punt and Brandin Echols is right on top of it to recover. Steelers' ball at the Bills' 12.

Red zone chance for Will Howard.
Barry in MD
7:18
Please write Max's name in phonics so I can pronounce
Christopher Carter
7:18
EEE -- HAHN -- AH - CHORE
JPInPDX
7:18
Will Max start tonight?
Christopher Carter
7:18
He wasn't in with the starters, but it will be interesting to see how long they'll hold him out.
Kevin M
7:18
Chris, what is your take on the QB situation.  I think it's crazy to keep 4 and possibly lose out on one of the Safetys. Using that position as an example. Howard will survive the cut and be there for the Practice Squad.  I  hope they realize that.
Christopher Carter
7:20
TOUCHDOWN: Will Howard checks it down Germie Bernard for a pop pass touchdown that goes for 13 yards.

Bernard flashes that ability to make a player miss.

Steelers 7, Bills 3.
Dave
7:21
Why can’t you score on the missed punt?
Christopher Carter
7:23
So it's always a rule that you can't advance a muffed punt. The reason is because the returner didn't establish clear possession, partially for safety, partially because it would make it easier for special teams defenses to score as muffs happen often.
Lou
7:24
Talking heads say Steelers won’t be a playoff team. How can anyone be so sure when they were last year and this year they upgraded? Let’s wait for game 4 to come and go.
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