Injuries Impact Steelers as They Face Bills in Week 13

The Pittsburgh Steelers faced a daunting challenge in their Week 13 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, suffering a 26-7 defeat that significantly impacted their playoff hopes. Injuries were a major storyline, particularly with key defensive players sidelined. Inside linebacker Patrick Queen did not finish the game due to a hip injury he sustained late in the second quarter; he was initially deemed questionable to return but was ultimately ruled out when it was clear he could not run, as stated by coach Mike Tomlin. Shortly after Queen's injury, cornerback James Pierre suffered a concussion. Although Pierre briefly returned to the game, he was later announced as out and is now in the concussion protocol. This was particularly detrimental given that Pierre had been starting in place of veteran Darius Slay, who was inactive due to his own concussion issues from previous games. According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Steelers struggled defensively without their top players, allowing a staggering 249 rushing yards to the Bills, the most by an opposing team at Acrisure Stadium in over 50 years.

On the offensive side, the Steelers were not only hindered by injuries but also by poor performance. Aaron Rodgers, returning from a wrist fracture that had kept him out of the previous game, did not take any snaps under center, limiting the team's offensive capabilities. He completed 10 of 21 passes for only 117 yards and no touchdowns, resulting in a passer rating of 65.0, one of the lowest of his storied career. During the game, Rodgers suffered a bloodied nose after being sacked by Bills pass rusher Joey Bosa, which caused him to miss a series while being evaluated. Mason Rudolph stepped in but failed to provide a spark, throwing an interception shortly after entering the game. After the loss, Rodgers expressed his disappointment in both his performance and that of the offense, acknowledging the struggles they faced in executing plays effectively. Despite the challenges, receiver Calvin Austin III noted that the playbook was open, suggesting that the team had options but was unable to capitalize on them.

The Steelers' inability to establish any rhythm on offense compounded their defensive woes, leaving them with only 166 total yards— a season low. The defeat dropped Pittsburgh to a precarious position in the playoff race, as the team struggled with consistency and health. With the Bills improving to 8-4 and solidifying their Wild Card standing in the AFC, the Steelers will need to regroup quickly if they aim to stay competitive in the postseason race. As the season progresses, the impact of injuries and performance issues will continue to be a critical factor for the Steelers moving forward.