Bills vs Steelers Prediction & Betting Tips for NFL Preseason Week 3 on 8/27/2026

The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to travel to Orchard Park to take on the Buffalo Bills in their third preseason game. Both teams will be looking to fine-tune their rosters and strategies as they prepare for the regular season. The game will take place at Highmark Stadium on Thursday, August 27, 2026, with kickoff set for 7:00 PM and will be broadcasted on NFLN.

Under the leadership of head coach Mike McCarthy, the Steelers enter this matchup with a preseason record of 1-1. They recently faced the New York Jets, where they lost 17-0. The Steelers aim to bounce back and find rhythm against a strong Bills team.

The Buffalo Bills, led by head coach Joe Brady, have enjoyed a successful preseason so far, winning both of their games. They recently secured a convincing 31-7 victory against the Cleveland Browns. With a home record of 2-0, the Bills will look to maintain their momentum and assert their dominance at Highmark Stadium.

Weather conditions are expected to include light rain and breezy winds, which could play a role in the game's dynamics. The Bills are slightly favored in this matchup with a moneyline of -149 and a spread of -3.0. This game offers a chance for both teams to evaluate their depth and make final adjustments before the regular season commences.

Bills vs Steelers At a Glance (Preseason Week 3)

• The game takes place in the 2026 Preseason, Week 3.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers have a preseason record of 1-1-0.
• The Buffalo Bills hold a preseason record of 2-0-0.
• Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, NY will host the game.
• The weather forecast predicts a warm day with light rain and breezy conditions.
• The Bills are favored with a moneyline of -149, while the Steelers stand at +125.

Buffalo Bills Ready to Shine in Upcoming Game

Offensive Powerhouse

The Buffalo Bills enter the 2026 preseason with a robust offensive lineup. In the 2025 regular season, they ranked 4th in the league with an impressive 28.3 points per game and accumulated 6,397 offensive yards, also placing them 4th overall. Their rushing attack was particularly strong, leading the league with 159.6 yards per game.

In the 2026 preseason, the Bills have maintained their offensive momentum, scoring an average of 30 points per game. Their passing game has seen an uptick, ranking 5th in passing yards with 237.5 per game. The team’s offensive depth is further bolstered by consistent performances from players like Josh Allen and Shane Buechele.

Defensive Resilience

The Bills' defense has been a cornerstone of their success, ranking 7th in opponent offensive yards allowed during the 2025 season. Notably, they led the league in passing defense, allowing only 156.9 passing yards per game. However, their rushing defense ranked 28th, an area they may look to improve.

In the current preseason, Buffalo's defense has shown improvement, allowing just 10.5 points per game, the 5th best in the league. Their ability to create turnovers is also noteworthy, ranking 2nd in opponent passing interceptions during the preseason. This defensive prowess will be crucial against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Key Players to Watch

Quarterback Josh Allen remains a pivotal figure for the Bills, having thrown for 111 yards and 1 touchdown in just one preseason game. Running back James Cook III, despite a limited preseason, remains a threat, having led the league in rushing yards last season.

On defense, players like Damar Hamlin and Greg Rousseau are expected to continue making impactful plays. Hamlin has already recorded an interception this preseason, showcasing his ability to disrupt the opposing offense.

Injury Concerns

The Bills face some challenges on the injury front, with linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles out for the season due to an undisclosed injury. Defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis will miss the first three games due to suspension. Wide receiver Tyrell Shavers is sidelined with a torn ACL and will miss the start of the season.

These absences could affect the team's depth, especially in the receiving corps and defensive line. The coaching staff will need to adjust strategies to accommodate these losses.

Betting Trends

• The Bills have a perfect 7-0 record on the Over/Under in their last seven preseason home games.
• As preseason favorites, they have gone 5-0 in their last five games.
• Buffalo is 4-0 against the Over/Under after a win in their last four preseason games.
• They have a 3-0 straight-up record in their last three preseason games.
• The team is also 3-0 against the spread in their last three preseason games.

Steelers' Showdown: Pittsburgh's Preseason Push

Quarterback Spotlight

The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback lineup this preseason is led by Aaron Rodgers, who last season threw for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns. Backing him is Mason Rudolph, who in the previous season, saw limited action with 310 passing yards and two touchdowns. Will Howard rounds out the group with 160 passing yards and two interceptions in the current preseason.

Drew Allar has emerged as a potential playmaker during the preseason, leading with 263 passing yards and two touchdowns. His performance will be crucial as he continues to develop chemistry with his receiving corps. With no interceptions thus far, Allar's precision and decision-making have been promising for Pittsburgh's offense.

Running Backs and Ground Game

Jaylen Warren leads the Steelers' backfield, following a strong previous season with 958 rushing yards and six touchdowns. In the preseason, he's recorded 17 rushing yards, indicating a slow start as he looks to regain his form. Kaleb Johnson has contributed 42 rushing yards, providing depth to the running back position.

Rico Dowdle, in limited preseason action, has added 18 rushing yards, while Lew Nichols has shown versatility with 47 rushing yards and one touchdown. The Steelers' ground game will aim to be a key component of their offense, especially against formidable defensive lines.

Receivers and Aerial Threats

DK Metcalf, last year's leading receiver with 850 yards and six touchdowns, remains the focal point of Pittsburgh's passing attack. In the preseason, Kaden Wetjen has impressed with 79 receiving yards and one touchdown. Ben Skowronek and Germie Bernard have also been solid contributors, combining for over 110 receiving yards.

Robert Tonyan, a tight end, has been a reliable target, with 78 receiving yards in two preseason games. Lake McRee and Darnell Washington add depth to the tight end position, providing multiple options for the Steelers' quarterbacks.

Defensive Standouts

The Steelers' defense has shown resilience, with Jack Sawyer leading the charge with two sacks in the preseason. T.J. Watt, a stalwart on the defensive line, continues to be a pivotal player despite limited preseason action. The linebacking corps, including Carson Bruener and Patrick Queen, will be instrumental in disrupting opposing offenses.

In the secondary, Jalen Ramsey and Jamel Dean anchor a unit that looks to improve on last year's performance. The Steelers' defense aims to capitalize on turnovers and provide opportunities for the offense to control the game's tempo.

Betting Trends for the Steelers

• The Steelers have won 5 of their last 6 away preseason games.
• As underdogs, they are 3-0 in the last 3 regular season games from 2025.
• The team has covered the spread in 4 of their last 5 away preseason games.
• They are 9-5 in their last 14 preseason games overall.
• The Steelers are 4-1 in games following a regular season loss.

Bills vs Steelers Prediction: Bills -3.0

The Buffalo Bills enter this preseason game with a solid 2-0 record, showcasing their strong offensive capabilities, ranking 3rd with an average of 30 points per game. The Bills' potent offense, combined with their recent home performance, makes them a formidable opponent at Highmark Stadium. The spread of -3.0 is in their favor, and given their current form, covering this spread seems likely.

On the other hand, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a 1-1 preseason record. Despite a strong passing game ranked 4th, the Steelers' defense has shown vulnerabilities, particularly in rushing yards allowed. This could be detrimental against a versatile Bills' offense, leading to challenges in keeping the game close.

Additionally, the Bills have dominated recent head-to-head matchups against the Steelers, winning the last four games, including a decisive 26-7 victory in the 2025 regular season. The combination of home field advantage and superior recent performance makes the Bills a strong pick against the spread. Given these factors, expect the Bills to win and cover the -3.0 spread.

Projected final score: Buffalo Bills 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 14. With the Bills' offensive and defensive strengths, this score reflects their ability to control the game effectively.

• Bills vs Steelers Prediction: Bills -3.0
• Bills vs Steelers Score: Bills 24 - Steelers 14

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