The Buffalo Bills almost missed the playoffs a few weeks ago, but are now hosting the Wild Card Game.
That's how fast things change in the NFL.
Buffalo welcomed the Steelers to chilly Western New York looking for their sixth straight win in a game that was moved from Sunday afternoon to Monday afternoon because of a brutal snowstorm.
Snow was still falling in Orchard Park as of Monday morning and was expected to remain until the afternoon.
Good news: Snowfall is expected to ease by 4:30pm ET kickoff, but temperatures could be an issue. It will look colder, with temperatures expected to be 15 degrees and winds around 15 mph.
Buffalo ended November with a heartbreaking overtime loss to Philadelphia, falling to 6-6 and threatening to win their fourth consecutive AFC East title.
But since then, the Bills have won five straight games, capped by a 21-14 come-from-behind win at Miami to close out the regular season and clinch the district title.
Pittsburgh found a way to win again and finish 10-7 under coach Mike Tomlin.
The Steelers, helped by Jacksonville's late-season collapse, won their final three games to earn a playoff berth.
Pittsburgh made the playoffs for the third time in four seasons. They enter Monday's game as the biggest underdogs (+10) in the wild card round.
The Steelers' problem this season has been an overall lack of offensive power, scoring 18 points or less for five straight weeks before surging late in the game coinciding with the coordinator change from Matt Canada to the Eddie Faulkner/Mike duo. Ta. sullivan.
They combined for 64 points in wins over the Seahawks and Bengals, and defeated the Ravens' backup team 17-10 in the final game of the season.
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The Steelers have always been counted on to play defensively, but they will have to overcome the absence of TJ Watt, who was sidelined for this game after suffering a knee injury against Baltimore.
These AFC foes never faced each other during the regular season, but Buffalo defeated Pittsburgh 35-3 at home last season as the 14-point favorite.
The Bills went 4-1 straight up against the spread (ATS) this season as single-digit favorites to win the championship at home, but are 0-0 ATS at home as double-digit favorites. 4 losses, 0 wins and 3 losses at home. .
But Watt's absence changes things, and despite the frigid weather, the Bills should be able to pick up points in this game.
Play: Bills -10 (-110, FanDuel)
