The Buffalo Bills and their "X-factors" continue their 2025 NFL season with a matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road on Sunday in Week 13.
While game plans, coaching, and strategy will play a part, but sometimes a big emphasis will sit with some individual players. In terms of the defensive side of the ball, who could those be?
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHere are Bills Wire's three potential X-factors on the Bills (7-4) defense against the Steelers (6-5):
DE Joey Bosa
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 17: Joey Bosa #97 of the Buffalo Bills looks on against the Chicago Bears during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on August 17, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)The Steelers will be down starting tackle Broderick Jones at left tackle.
Pittsburgh's starting quarterback in Aaron Rodgers will be back in the lineup as well. He had a wrist injury and is not a mobile player anymore.
Andrus Peat will step into the lineup. Pro Football Focus only gives Peat a 51.3 pass-blocking grade so far in 2025. Bosa has to win this battle.
LB Matt Milano
Oct 9, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) prepares to tackle Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) in the second quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY SportsThe Bills defense will be without starting linebacker Terrel Bernard (elbow) because of injury. Milano will not directly replace him, but as a veteran, he needs to step up and make some plays from the middle of Buffalo's defense.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementS Cole Bishop
Buffalo Bills safety Cole Bishop is hugged by teammates for his interception during first half action of the Bills home game against the New Orleans Saints in Orchard Park on Sept. 28, 2025.On the outside, the Steelers offense has a stud receiver in DK Metcalf. He'll want to catch some deep balls and Bishop has vastly improved over the course of the last four weeks.
Pro Football Focus has given Bishop a strong coverage grade of 68.1 or higher in his last four games. Meanwhile, Metcalf has 42 caches, 573 yards and five touchdowns this season. He has averaged 13.6 yards per catch in 2025.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 3 X-factors on the Bills defense at the Steelers in Week 13
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