Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills: Keys to a Pittsburgh Victory

Last week at this time, Pittsburgh was still cleaning up from the sky falling, following the Steelers' loss to the New England Patriots.

This week all is right in the world as the Steelers are coming off a big win and are tied for first place in the AFC North with the Baltimore Ravens.

With the Buffalo Bills up next, the Steelers are in perfect position to raise their record to 8-3 heading into a huge showdown with the Ravens next weekend.

They cannot overlook the 2-8 Bills, though, as they have lost four of their eight games by five points or less, including two overtime losses.

The Steelers will look to impose their will on the Bills as the travel to Buffalo on Sunday and build some momentum entering the final month of the season.

Here are some key ways the Steelers can lock down the win.

Re-Discover the Run

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - AUGUST 29: Rashard Mendenhall #34 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball against Leodis McKelvin #28 of the Buffalo Bills at Heinz Field on August 29, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Rashard Mendenhall averaged nearly 103 yards per game and had four touchdowns over the first four games of the season when Ben Roethlisberger was out.

In the six games since Roethlisberger’s return, Mendenhall’s average has dropped to only 66.7 yards per game and four touchdowns.

Mendenhall has not had a 100-yard rushing game since the third week of the season and has rushed for over 75 yards twice in the past six games.

Going against the Bills’ last-ranked rush defense, which has allowed 163.5 yards per game, should be just what the Steelers need to re-establish their ground game.

Health along the offensive line should help.

Maurkice Pouncey will be back in the lineup after leaving last week’s game early with a leg injury. The presence of Ramon Foster at right guard also adds another physical presence along the line, providing the right side with two very good run blockers.

If they cannot beat Buffalo on the ground, the rushing attack may have no chance the rest of the season.

Do Not Get Beat by Fitz to Johnson

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 16: Lee Evans #83 of the Buffalo Bills is hit by Ike Taylor #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field September 16, 2007 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh won 26-3. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Ryan Fitzpatrick has been a hot-and-cold quarterback all season but has an impressive 2:1 touchdown to interception ratio and has thrown for nearly 2,000 yards in eight starts.

The last five weeks have been productive for Fitzpatrick as he has thrown for an average of 273.2 yards per game and 11 touchdowns.

While Pittsburgh should be concerned with Fitzpatrick connecting with veteran receiver Lee Evans, it's Steve Johnson who has come on lately.

Johnson has been a big-play receiver for Buffalo, averaging 14 yards per catch on the season and has nine touchdowns.

Much of Fitzpatrick’s recent success can be attributed to Johnson who has 35 receptions for 514 yards and five touchdowns over the last five weeks.

The production, however, has been on a pattern of every other week as Johnson has had huge games with over 100 yards receiving in weeks 7, 9 and 11, while he was held to only 37 yards in weeks 8 and 10.

The Fitzpatrick to Johnson connection is due for a down week against Pittsburgh. However, given the Steelers pass defense, anything is possible.

There is a good chance that Dick LeBeau keeps Ike Taylor lined up on Johnson to try to slow down Buffalo’s aerial attack.

Do Not Look Ahead

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 03: The Baltimore Ravens celebrate a interception by Ray Lewis #52 with only seconds left in the fourth quarter behind Mike Wallace #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 3, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsbur

While Buffalo has been very competitive this season, there is a reason that they are 2-8, just as there is a reason Pittsburgh is 7-3.

The Steelers are simply the better team and should have no problems with the Bills.

This is the NFL, though, and on any given week, any team has the chance to win, especially considering that the Steelers may be looking ahead one week to a huge AFC North matchup with the Ravens.

A loss would kill any momentum that Pittsburgh could build up heading into Baltimore and would likely put them behind in the division.

On the other hand, a dominating win could make a statement that the Steelers are still for real and would give them plenty of confidence entering the matchup with their biggest rival.

Spotlight Player: Offense

J. Meric/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 26: Rookie center Maurkice Pouncey #53 of the Pittsburgh Steelers points during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

The offensive line will be under a microscope against the worst rush defense in the league.

This is a chance for them to impose their will on another team and if they succeed it could build a lot of confidence for a group that has been thrown together given injuries and ineffective play.

The Steelers are expected to start, from left to right, Jonathan Scott, Chris Kemoeatu, Maurkice Pouncey, Ramon Foster and Flozell Adams.

Spotlight Player: Defense

Nick Laham/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 21: Ike Taylor #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers talks with head coach Mike Tomlin after being ejected from the game for fighting against the New York Giants during their preseason game at New Meadowlands Stadium on August 21, 2

As mentioned earlier, Fitzpatrick and Johnson have something going right now and Ike Taylor will be the key player in shutting those two down.

Taylor had a very good game against the Raiders despite being called for a pass interference penalty.

If he can take away Johnson, the Steelers can give their other corners help on Evans and will likely carry over their heavy pass rush that they applied to Jason Campbell last week in order to disrupt Fitzpatrick.

A dominant pass rush will make the defensive backs’ jobs, including Taylor’s, much easier.

Game Notes

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - AUGUST 29: Wide Reciever Mike Wallace #17 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball downfield in the first quarter during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Heinz Field on August 29, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory S

• Pittsburgh won the last meeting on September 16, 2007 by a score of 26-3 at Heinz Field.
• The Steelers hold an 11-8 all-time regular season record against the Bills.
• Buffalo is 7-4 playing at home against the Steelers.
• Pittsburgh has won three straight against Buffalo.
• Rashard Mendenhall is 189 yards away from 1,000 for the season. His career best is 1,108 rushing yards last season.
• Mike Wallace is currently tied with Hines Ward with three consecutive 100-yard receiving games.
• Wallace has surpassed last season’s total of 756 receiving yards. He currently has 759 yards.
• Brett Keisel is expected to be in the lineup.

Follow me on Twitter.