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The Speed Option: Buffalo Bills open 2021 season at home vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

A rematch of one of the biggest games of last season

By Josh Rawdin
/ new
Pittsburgh Steelers v Buffalo Bills Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images

The Buffalo Bills will open their 2021 season at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a rematch of one of last season’s marquee matchups.

2021 Summary

The Steelers started the season very hot, going 11-0 until losing their first game in Week 12 to the Washington Football Team. The Bills would hand them their second loss the following week after the first of Taron Johnson’s game-changing interception returns for touchdowns. The Steelers finished out the season at 12-4 and won the AFC North. Their season ended in the Wild Card round at the hands of their division foe, the Cleveland Browns.

Head Coach

This season will be Mike Tomlin’s 15th as a head coach. In his 14 seasons he has two AFC championships and one Super Bowl victory. He has recorded a 145-78-1 record over those years—which is good for a 0.650 winning percentage.

Offensive Coordinator

This offseason the Steelers decided not to retain Randy Fichtner as their offensive coordinator and instead promoted quarterbacks coach Matt Canada into the role. Prior to becoming the Steelers’ quarterbacks coach in 2020 he held various OC positions across college football.

Defensive Coordinator

Unlike the offense, the defensive leader for the Steelers remains the same from last season. Keith Butler is entering his seventh season at the head of the Steelers’ defense. His unit ranked third in points allowed and yards allowed last year.

Offensive Starters

  • QB: Ben Roethlisberger
  • RB: Najee Harris*
  • WR: Diontae Johnson
  • WR: JuJu Smith-Schuster
  • WR: Chase Claypool
  • TE: Eric Ebron
  • LT: Dan Moore Jr.*
  • LG: Kevin Dotson
  • C: Kendrick Green*
  • RG: Trai Turner^
  • RT: Chukwuma Okorafor

^ = free agent / trade addition
* = rookie

Defensive Starters

  • DT: Cameron Heyward
  • DE: Chris Wormley
  • NT: Tyson Alualu
  • LOLB: T.J. Watt
  • LILB: Devin Bush
  • RILB: Joe Schobert^
  • ROLB: Alex Highsmith
  • LCB: Joe Haden
  • RCB: Cameron Sutton
  • SS: Terrel Edmunds
  • FS: Minkah Fitzpatrick

^ = free agent / trade addition
* = rookie

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