IT’S GAME DAY!!

That means while we all wait for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills to kickoff at 4:30pm EST on Monday in the AFC Wild Card Round, it’s time to take a look at who the SCN staff likes in this game. The current line for the game is BUF (-10) with a Total of 36.

But these picks are vs. the spread, or based on an over/under. These are straight up picks. So, let’s get to the prognostications…

Jeff Hartman

The total for this game is 36, and it isn’t as if the Steelers and Bills can’t score points. Rather, it has a lot to do with the temperature expected Monday. Despite the game being moved, the conditions still aren’t going to be great, and that made me temper my prediction. No, not the winner, but the overall score. Believe it or not, I think this will come down to points after a touchdown. The Bills either miss an extra point, or decide to go for two, and fail. Nonetheless, the Steelers press on in the playoffs while the Bills’ magical run to finish the season comes up short…again.

Prediction: Steelers 17, Bills 16

Dave Schofield 

It’s the NFL postseason and anything can happen. Ten-point spreads don’t mean a thing as teams that were touchdown underdogs have already had multi-score wins. The Steelers are in the dance even if the weather conditions are still miserable. How enjoyable would it be to not even have them win? At this point, why not have them get the job done?

Prediction: Steelers 24, Bills 20

Jeremy Betz

Make no mistake, these teams are way closer in talent than the ridiculous 10 point spread would indicate. In what will be a cold, windy afternoon in Buffalo, the equalizer for the Steelers is their ability to run the football vs. the Bills relative inability to stop the run. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, it still might not be enough to swing the final score in their favor. Ultimately, I trust Josh Allen to make the necessary plays down the stretch to secure victory more than I do Mason Rudolph, especially with T.J. Watt riding the pine for this one. I expect a valiant effort in a low-scoring affair from the Black & Gold, but I think Buffalo pulls it out in the end.

Prediction: Bills 16, Steelers 13

Anthony Defeo

It seems like the weather will be so chaotic in Buffalo on Sunday that literally anything could happen. The Steelers can run the ball which should benefit them. Josh Allen has a tendency to throw interceptions, and that should also benefit the Steelers. A game like this could come down to a fluky bounce or gust of wind. Since the weather has rendered this game unpredictable, I may as well predict a Steelers victory.

Prediction: Steelers 24, Bills 14

Shannon White 

The start time for the game has now been moved to Monday at 4:30, but don’t be surprised if there are even more changes. What isn’t going to change is my prediction. For the past three weeks, when I pick the Steelers to lose they win. That’s not a coincidence, it’s a good luck trend. You better believe that I ain’t jinxing this winning streak. You can thank me later.

Prediction: Bills 23, Steelers 20

Bradley Locker

I was really hoping that the Steelers would have gotten to play in Kansas City, because the Chiefs look as vulnerable as they’ve been in a number of years with their self-inflicted mistakes. Instead, the Bills have gotten red hot, winning their six of their last seven matchups and climbing from out of the race to the No. 2 seed. This game is just a bad matchup for Pittsburgh, which likely will have problems with its depleted ILB corps against Dawson Knox/Dalton Kincaid. I’m also skeptical that the Steelers’ pass game will find much success through the air in blizzard-like conditions. At the end of the day, is Mason Rudolph really about to end the Steelers’ near-seven-year playoff win drought? I’d strongly doubt it.

Prediction: Bills 24, Steelers 13

Big Bro Scho

My heart wants to pick the Steelers, but I always try to be realistic when picking these games. This game will be close and will be a one score game. The Steelers play a solid game, but come up just short.

Prediction: Bills 24, Steelers 21

K.T. Smith

Logic and reason suggest picking the Bills here. They have won five in a row, they’re at home and they beat the Steelers 38-3 in Buffalo last season. But logic and reason have no place in the NFL playoffs. The Steelers are a confident team and are playing their best football of the season.  Plus, I’d rather be wrong picking the Steelers to win than right picking them to lose. So there you have it. Here We Go!

Prediction: Steelers 24, Bills 23

Andy Paladino

The Bills are red-hot, but so are the Steelers. Being 10 point underdogs only increases the incredible amount of confidence this team has built down the stretch. Steeler will win in a dog fight

Prediction: Steelers 27, Bills 24

What is your prediction? Let us know in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the upcoming playoff game between the Steelers and Bills.