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Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills Prediction, Preview, and Odds – 1-15-2024

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Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills Prediction, Preview, and Odds – 1-15-2024


We’ve made it through the regular season and for 18 teams, their year is over. For 14 teams with hopes of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, their dream lives on, at least for another week. Twelve of those teams play this weekend with the winner moving on and the loser going home for the offseason. In an AFC Wild Card Round matchup, the Pittsburgh Steelers take the short trip to take on the Buffalo Bills Sunday afternoon. Pittsburgh finished their regular season slate with a 17-10 road win over Baltimore last Saturday, covering the line as a three-point favorite. Buffalo downed Miami 21-14 on the road last Sunday, covering the line as a 2.5-point favorite. In the all-time regular season series between the teams, the Steelers own a 15-11 edge though the Bills rolled to a 38-3 home win in the most recent meeting on October 9, 2022. They have met in the postseason three times with the Steelers owning a 2-1 edge, though they haven’t met in the playoffs since 1996.

(This game has been moved to Monday at 4:30pmET due to weather conditions in Buffalo)

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Pittsburgh Steelers Looking to Maintain Late Season Charge

Pittsburgh won three straight to close the regular season and earned a playoff spot by beating Baltimore, coupled by Jacksonville losing to Tennessee. The Steelers finished the regular season 10-7 overall and look to earn the road upset here. Against Baltimore, Pittsburgh overcame wintry conditions and took advantage of the fact that the Ravens sat a majority of their starters to earn a victory. The Steelers led 7-0 after the opening quarter, were even at the half and after three quarters. Pittsburgh took the lead for good on the first play of the fourth quarter on a 71-yard touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson and went on to the victory. The Steelers owned a 289-224 edge in total offense, held a 16-13 advantage in first downs and controlled the clock by a 34:04 to 25:56 margin. Each team turned the ball over twice in the game.

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The Steelers finished the regular season 25th in the league in passing offense as they average 186.1 yards per game through the air. The team is 13th in the league in rushing offense as they put up an average of 118.2 yards per contest. Pittsburgh is 28th in the league in scoring offense with 17.9 points per contest and 6th in scoring defense as they allow 19.1 points per game. Kenny Pickett is 201 of 324 passing for 2,070 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions on the year. He contributes 54 yards and a score on the ground. Mitch Trubisky is 67 of 107 for 632 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions in limited action. Mason Rudolph is 55 of 74 for 719 yards with three scores. Najee Harris leads the team on the ground with 255 carries for 1,035 yards plus eight scores. Jaylen Warren (149 carries, 784 yards, four TD) is the #2 back in the ground game this season. Diontae Johnson has 51 receptions totaling 717 yards and five scores on the season, putting him third on the team. George Pickens (63 catches, 1140 yards, five TD), Pat Freiermuth (32 grabs, 308 yards, two TD), Allen Robinson II (34 catches, 280 yards), Calvin Austin III (17 grabs, 180 yards, TD) and Warren (61 receptions, 370 yards) have been active as well. Chris Boswell has hit 27 of 28 extra point attempts and 29 of 31 field goal attempts this season with a long of 57 on the year.

Pittsburgh’s biggest injury is T.J. Watt (knee), who led the league with 19 sacks. He sprained his MCL against the Ravens and is out here.

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Buffalo Bills Shoot to Keep Rolling

Buffalo won their final five games in the regular season, all coming after their bye in week 13, and their triumph over Miami on the road last week gave them the AFC East crown for the fourth straight season. The Bills finished the regular season 11-6 and look to carry that momentum to the postseason. Against Miami, Buffalo had their struggles finishing drives but made the plays in all three phases of the game in crunch time to earn the victory. The Bills trailed 14-7 at the half and after three quarters before Deonte Harty’s franchise-record 96-yard punt return for a score tied the game early in the fourth quarter. Buffalo forced a three-and-out, then went down the field again, capped by a five-yard touchdown pass to Dawson Knox, to take the lead with 7:16 to play. The Bills’ defense held from there, forcing another three-and-out, followed by Taylor Rapp’s interception with 1:13 to play, which allowed them to run out the clock. Buffalo rolled up a massive 473-275 edge in total offense, picked up a 26-16 advantage in first downs and dominated time of possession by a 38:07 to 21:53 margin. Those numbers helped overshadow the fact that they turned the ball over three times while forcing two takeaways.

On the year, the Bills are eighth in the league in passing offense with an average of 244.4 yards per game and 7th in rushing with an average of 130.1 yards per contest. Buffalo is sixth in the league in scoring offense by putting up 26.5 points per contest and they are fourth in the league in scoring defense by allowing 18.3 points per game. Josh Allen is 385 of 579 passing for 4,306 yards with 29 touchdowns and 18 interceptions on the season. He is second on the team on the ground with 524 rushing yards and 15 scores. James Cook leads the run game with 237 carries for 1,122 yards and two scores. Latavius Murray (79 carries, 300 yards, three TD) and Ty Johnson (30 carries, 132 yards) have also seen work on the ground. Stefon Diggs is the team’s top receiver as he has hauled in 107 passes for 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns. Gabe Davis (45 catches, 746 yards, seven TD), Cook (44 receptions, 445 yards, four TD), Dalton Kincaid (73 grabs, 673 yards, two TD) and Khalil Shakir (39 grabs, 611 yards, two TD) are each over the 400-yard mark in receiving yards. Tyler Bass is 49 of 50 on extra point attempts and 24 of 29 on field goal attempts with a long of 54 this season.

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Buffalo has several names to monitor going through the rest of the week on the injury report. Safety Taylor Rapp (calf), defensive ends Leonard Floyd (rest) and Von Miller (rest), cornerback Rasul Douglas (knee) and wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee) all didn’t practice Wednesday. Tackle Dion Dawkins (hand), running back Ty Johnson (concussion) and linebacker Tyrel Dodson (shoulder) were each limited. Watch for updates over the coming days for new information.

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Full-Game Side Bet

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These teams have some similarities when you look at them. Both teams fired their offensive coordinators during the season. Each side closed the season on a win streak with Pittsburgh winning three straight games while Buffalo won five in a row. The Steelers have their work cut out for them here, especially without Watt. He’s a disruptor and a force to be reckoned with that has to be accounted for on every play. Without him, the Steelers have to try and regroup defensively, which is a challenge. Rudolph has been solid after taking over the QB role down the stretch but he’s making his first postseason start here. Allen, through the good and the bad, has been here before. That, with the home field advantage of the Bills Mafia, helps Buffalo advance to the divisional round.

Prediction: Buffalo Bills -9.5

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Full-Game Total Pick

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Pittsburgh has stayed under the total in 11 of their 17 games on the year. Six of the Steelers’ eight road games this season have wound up under the number. Buffalo has seen the under go 11-6 in their 17 games on the year. The Bills have stayed under the total in five of their eight home games on the year, including five of their last six contests at Highmark Stadium. Weather could be a major factor with lake effect snow and winds upward of 20 miles per hour wreaking havoc. Those factors have driven the number down substantially and it might be a little too low here. Look for this game to wind up over the number.

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Prediction: Over 35

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Chris King has been immersed in the world of professional and collegiate sports for more than three decades. Whether it’s playing pickup games or being involved in organized sports to being a fan, he’s checked all the boxes. From the NFL to arena football, the NHL to the KHL, the NBA to the WNBA to college hoops, and even MLB to the KBO.  If it’s out there, he’s covered it and bet on it as well, as Chris has been an expert bettor in his career.  Before joining Winners and Whiners back in 2015, his work appeared around the internet and in print. He’s written books for Ruckus Books about college basketball, the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, golf, and the World Cup. If you’re looking for the inside track on hitting a winner, do yourself a favor and read what Chris has to say.

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Pittsburg, PA

Judge calls Pittsburgh crash death ‘textbook example’ of why DUI is illegal

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Judge calls Pittsburgh crash death ‘textbook example’ of why DUI is illegal


No one showed up in court for either side.

Not for the victim, a 33-year-old immigrant killed in Pittsburgh last year by a drunken driver.

And not for the defendant, a 22-year-old woman who created a good life for herself and her twin sons despite a string of difficult life circumstances, including an incarcerated father and a mother with mental illness.

Maria Davis, of Uniontown, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault and driving under the influence after police say she crossed the center line on Beechwood Boulevard last year, crashing head-on into Abdulaziz Sharibbaev and killing him.

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Sharibbaev lived in Pittsburgh’s Westwood section at the time of his death. Law enforcement could not confirm where he emigrated from and were unable to reach any relatives for the court proceedings.

As part of a plea agreement, Davis will serve 16 to 32 months in custody to be followed by two years probation. Her attorney asked the court to allow his client to enter an alternative housing program, which the judge said she will consider after Davis has served at least 12 months.

She must also pay $3,500 in mandatory fines.

Davis was driving a black Hyundai sedan north on Beechwood Boulevard toward Squirrel Hill around 12:30 a.m. on March 11 when she crossed the center line and struck a silver Toyota Prius head-on, according to a criminal complaint.

Sharibbaev, who was driving the Prius, had to be extricated by medics.

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He died from his injuries five days later.

Both Davis and a passenger in her car were taken to local hospitals. The passenger sustained facial injuries and fractures from being thrown into the windshield.

A blood test showed Davis had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.163% — more than twice the legal limit for driving of 0.08%.

She also had marijuana in her blood, police said.

Birthday celebration

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Defense attorney Adam Bishop told Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Simquita R. Bridges that his client had been raised primarily by her great-grandmother after her father was incarcerated and her mother could not care for her.

After her great-grandmother became ill, Davis had to return to live with her mother at age 14, Bishop continued. Three years later, she moved out.

Davis had no prior criminal history and worked as a certified nursing assistant at a facility in Uniontown, Bishop said.

The night of the crash, she and friends were going out to celebrate her birthday.

Davis had gotten a babysitter, drove to Pittsburgh and attended a baby shower that day before checking in to a hotel room.

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At the shower, Davis had a shot of tequila and shared a glass of wine, Bishop said. Then, when Davis returned to the hotel to get ready for her night out, she had a couple more shots.

Davis and her friend arrived at a bar called Eon in Homestead and were waiting outside in line for more than 90 minutes when a fight broke out, Bishop said.

One of the men involved made threats, Bishop told the judge, and fearing he would return with a gun, Davis and her friends left.

Although she had not planned to drive any more that night, Davis got in her car to follow another friend to a bar in Greenfield, the attorney said.

The two vehicles got separated in traffic, Bishop said, and the friend texted Davis the address for the bar.

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She was trying to type the address into the GPS on her phone when she crossed the center line and crashed, according to Bishop.

“It was that act of distracted driving, in conjunction with her intoxication,” Bishop said, that caused the crash.

Bishop described Davis as extremely remorseful and said she accepts full responsibility for her actions.

“She got dealt some bad cards in life,” Bishop said, but still managed to make a good life for her sons, who will turn 2 next month.

“One night can change everything,” he said.

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A ‘poor decision’

No one was in court to describe the impact of Sharibbaev’s death.

Davis told the judge she is sincerely sorry.

“I would never purposely hurt somebody,” she said. “I ask that his family accept my apology. For as long as I live, I hope they can forgive me at some point.”

Davis told the court she is trying to learn from what happened.

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“I tried all my life to be a good person and stay on the right path,” she said. “This night, I just made a poor decision.”

But Assistant District Attorney Jameson Rohrer said it wasn’t just one bad choice.

“This was a series of decisions that (ended) a man’s life and permanently changed the lives of the defendant and her children,” he said.

Bridges agreed.

“You are a textbook example of why drinking and driving is illegal,” the judge said. “Good people sometimes make bad choices. That doesn’t make you a bad person.

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“Your life isn’t over because of this. You can pick yourself up and move on.”



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Pittsburg, PA

Man’s body found underneath trailer behind former Shop ‘n Save in Carrick

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Man’s body found underneath trailer behind former Shop ‘n Save in Carrick



Pittsburgh Police detectives are investigating after a man’s body was found underneath a trailer behind the former Shop ‘n Save store in the city’s Carrick neighborhood.

Pittsburgh Public Safety said late Monday night that detectives from the Violent Crime division responded to the area of Amanda Street and Wynoka Street in Carrick after a man’s body was found around 8:30 p.m.

Public Safety said the man’s body was found underneath a trailer and that he was pronounced dead by medics at the scene.

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Pittsburgh Police detectives are investigating after a man’s body was found underneath a trailer in the city’s Carrick neighborhood on Monday night.

Pittsburgh Public Safety


A photo provided by Pittsburgh Public Safety shows officers surrounding a taped off area and what appears to be a refrigerated trailer parked at the loading dock along Amanda Street behind the former Brownsville Shop n’ Save, which closed its doors last month

No details surrounding the circumstances of the man’s death were provided by Public Safety, who said that the cause and the manner of the man’s death will be determined by the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office.

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The man’s identity has not been released.

Public Safety said the investigation into the man’s death is “ongoing.”



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Record number of peregrine falcons counted in Allegheny County

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Record number of peregrine falcons counted in Allegheny County



In the early 1960s, the peregrine falcon population declined so sharply that the raptors weren’t even nesting in Pennsylvania. But now, the National Aviary says a record number have been counted in Allegheny County.

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The National Aviary says six peregrine falcons were recorded in the county during the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count. The nation’s longest-running citizen science project collects data on bird populations for ornithologists, the aviary says. It also plays a role in guiding conservation action, like what was needed to bring peregrine falcons back from the brink of extinction. 

Because of the use of DDT, peregrine falcons were no longer nesting in the state of Pennsylvania by the early 1960s, the aviary said. But after the harmful pesticide, which negatively affects reproduction rates in birds, was banned in 1972, conservation efforts have helped the peregrine falcon rebound. It was removed from the federal endangered species list in 1999 and Pennsylvania’s list in 2021. 

The record number of peregrine falcons in Allegheny County is thanks in part to the nest on top of Pitt’s Cathedral of Learning in Oakland. For the past two years, biologists with the Pennsylvania Game Commission have banded chicks born in the nest. Three were banded last year, and two the year before that. 

People can watch Carla and Ecco raise their family in the nest on a livestream camera run by the National Aviary. Carla laid her first egg of the breeding season on March 16 last year, so the aviary says the start of another season isn’t too far away. 

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