Allen draws comparisons to Big Ben as Bills face Steelers

Updated Sep. 9, 2021 5:40 p.m. ET

Associated Press

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen was 8 years old when he marveled at how then-Steelers rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger ably shed tackles and eluded charging defenders before completing passes from awkward stances and angles.

“Watching his game back in the day, the play was never over with him,” Allen recalled this week as Buffalo prepares to open its season hosting Big Ben and the Steelers on Sunday.

“He’s able to find ways to escape and get the ball out in some funky ways," the Bills quarterback added. "He’s never had a play given up on him, and he’s never given up on a play.”

Allen won’t dispute how his description of Roethlisberger compares to his own strong-armed and mobile attributes, which he displayed in his

“I think it’s more than I ever realized as a kid. ... I see the comparisons of where we’re at physically,” he said. “But that’s a Hall of Fame quarterback. And I've got some time to go before we get into that conversation.”

For everything Allen accomplished last year in setting numerous single-season franchise passing and scoring records, he faces the challenge of maintaining his production entering his fourth season.

At 39, Roethlisberger is a two-time Super Bowl champion with a long-established reputation of success, reflected in the Steelers' run of stability. Pittsburgh’s never experienced a losing season during his 17 seasons behind center.

Mike Tomlin noted as much when asked how he has benefited from having just one quarterback during his 15 seasons as Steelers coach.

“I don’t know the alternative, to be honest with you. Obviously, continuity is an asset,” Tomlin said.

“But it’s very similar to the traction (Bills coach Sean) McDermott and Josh Allen are gaining up there,” he added. “Every day spent together facing the challenges that this game provides us all, I think there’s collective growth in that. There’s cohesion in that.”

While set at quarterback, Pittsburgh

In Buffalo, the NFL’s second-best scoring offense returns 10 starters with the exception of veteran receiver — and former Steeler — Emmanuel Sanders brought in to replace John Brown.

Beasley spoke to how the continuity on offense instills confidence.

“We come out there with the mentality that nobody’s going to stop us, and we’re going to score,” Beasley said.

“I think that confidence built some last year, and even the year before that, but more so this year,” he added. We don’t hope it’ll happen. We expect it to. But it’s easier said than done. It’s easy to do in practice. You’ve got to carry it over to the game.”

FAMILIAR FOES

The Bills and Steelers meet for a third consecutive season, with Buffalo having won the past two meetings to end a six-game skid dating to 2001. Roethlisberger threw two interceptions in a 26-15 loss at Buffalo last season.

Minus cornerback Joe Haden, who was sidelined by a concussion, the Steelers were burned by receiver Stefon Diggs, who had 10 catches for 130 yards and a touchdown.

CORNERING THE MARKET

The Steelers intended to move Cam Sutton from nickelback to the outside after re-signing him this offseason.

Then they couldn’t find anyone capable of replacing him in the slot, leading the team to give up on the project entirely. Pittsburgh traded for rangy cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, who figures to get some playing time on the outside along with Haden and James Pierre.

O-LINE TEST

The Steelers' offensive line is set to have three new starters in rookie LT Dan Moore Jr., C Kendrick Green and RG Trai Turner. They’ll face what is supposed to be an upgraded Bills pass rush, featuring rookie first-round draft pick Greg Rousseau, and offseason free-agent addition Efe Obada.

Tomlin is focused on his players, not Buffalo's.

“I’m less concerned about the people that we play from that perspective, and I’m more concerned about our quality of play, our preparedness, our cohesion, our communication,” he said.

DANCING JUJU?

Buffalo players took issue with Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster posting a video on social media of him

“Obviously, I remember, but I’m not going to get into that,” Bills safety Jordan Poyer said.

“That’s old news,” Tomlin said, when asked if he has addressed the matter with Smith-Schuster since. “We’ve moved beyond that.”

FULL HOUSE

Diggs is looking forward to enjoying a full house in Orchard Park, after fans weren't allowed to attend regular season games last year, and only 6,600 were let in for the playoffs.

“I think it’s going to be crazy, it’s going to be loud,” Diggs said. "That’s what people have been talking about all week. ‘You haven’t had a game with the fans.’ I was like, ‘No, I have, but I’m gonna actually just focus because listen, obviously I can’t do both.’”

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AP Sports Writer Will Graves in Pittsburgh contributed.

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