I have to be honest, I didn’t truly expect to be writing articles about the playoffs. After the Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Indianapolis Colts, capping off a horrible 3-game losing streak, it looked as dark as possible. It looked as if the team winning it’s final three games (vs. CIN, at SEA, at BAL) was nothing more that a dream. Throw in the fact the team would need to get help, even if they won them all, made the playoffs seem like the ultimate pipe dream.

Yet here we are, preparing for an AFC Wild Card game in Orchard Park, NY vs. the Buffalo Bills.

While the fact the Steelers made the playoffs is amazing in its own right, mother nature is throwing a curveball at both teams with the fact the Orchard Park area is supposed to not only be hit with high winds, but also snow which could resemble blizzard like conditions at times.

No, the game isn’t going to be moved to a different city, and it begs the question, with the passing game likely being grounded for both teams, does this give an advantage for one team over the other? While we did learn of the postponement of the game to Monday, conditions still won’t be extremely favorable in Buffalo. It might be all about the run game, so which team will that favor? Let’s take a look…

Rush Yards/Game

Buffalo: 130.1

Pittsburgh: 118.2

Yards/Carry

Buffalo: 4.3

Pittsburgh: 4.1

Those numbers are clearly similar, but I think when it comes to the playoffs you have to look at how the teams are trending entering the postseason. So, let’s take a look at the rushing numbers for both teams in the last three games…

Last 3 games

Buffalo

at LA Chargers: 105 yards

vs. New England: 127 yards

at Miami: 128 yards

3-game average: 120 yards

Pittsburgh

vs. Cincinnati: 113 yards

at Seattle: 202 yards

at Baltimore: 155 yards

3-game average: 156 yards

While many Steelers fans will look at these numbers and suggest Pittsburgh has the clear advantage, you have to admit both teams enter the playoffs with a running game which is capable of doing damage. The question now is which offensive line can impose their will on the opposition, and there are no numbers or projections which can predict that, or the conditions, until Monday at 4:30pm EST.

The closer we get to kickoff, the more I feel this game is going to be an anomaly. A game where you throw the typical statistics and past experience out the window. Games like this typically come down to which team can break off a big play. Will it be a Jaylen Warren scamper for 50+ yards that is the ultimate deciding factor? How about a punishing Najee Harris run that makes Mr. Momentum change his proverbial address?

I can say I feel as if the Steelers are a battle-tested group, and can be a team that is tough to handle in these conditions, like they did in the heavy rain last Saturday in Baltimore. But ultimately I’m just excited to see the Steelers in a playoff game again. It feels like it’s been a long time since the Steelers have not just played in a playoff game, but won one. Magic can happen, and here’s to hoping the Steelers strike gold in the snow Monday in Orchard Park.