The Pittsburgh Steelers close out the preseason on the road against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. ET on Thursday. Kalshi traders have Buffalo at 58% and Pittsburgh at 42%, as of this writing.
The stakes for tonight’s game are all roster-based. Buffalo is 2-0 in exhibition play, Pittsburgh 1-1, and both clubs face the mandatory cutdown to 53 players on Aug. 30.
For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. See full disclaimer below. Kalshi is not affiliated with the NFL.
Snapshot
Matchup: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills
Kickoff: Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, N.Y.
Watch: NFL Network
Kalshi traders' current number: 42% Pittsburgh Steelers / 58% Buffalo Bills (as of this writing)
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills, Thursday, August 27, 2026
The market has continued moving toward Buffalo through the week, with $260,763 traded on the primary contract as of this writing. That shift lines up with roster-battle stakes tilting toward the Bills' deeper set of returning offensive skill players, even with both teams' top quarterbacks held out.
According to Kalshi's 2026 NFL market-implied power rankings, Pittsburgh enters as the No. 18 team in the league while Buffalo ranks 2nd, one of the widest gaps between opponents on this week's preseason slate.
Pittsburgh will again be without Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph, who have sat every preseason game this summer. Wide receivers DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. are trending toward full health after missing practice since Aug. 8, though it is unclear whether either will play Thursday.
Buffalo's injury picture includes wide receiver Keon Coleman managing a sprained foot/toe and DJ Moore working through a lower-body issue.
Quarterback Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar are set to start again for Pittsburgh, head coach Mike McCarthy's third straight week leaning on the two young passers over Rudolph. It's the clearest roster-bubble storyline of the summer: Howard turned in a rough outing against the Jets, and McCarthy has said the staff has "seen enough" of Rudolph, putting real pressure on this game to settle the No. 2 quarterback job.
Buffalo's own starter usage remains murkier. Josh Allen sat out the Week 2 win over Cleveland, and it's unclear if Allen or any of the Bills starters will be playing as of this writing. Backups Kyle Allen and Shane Buechele combined for three total touchdowns in the Browns win and could again see extended snaps if Buffalo holds its starters out for a clean bill of health entering Week 1.
Margin of victory
Kalshi traders have Buffalo winning by more than 2.5 points at 53%, as of this writing.
Point total
Kalshi traders have the total priced at over 45.5 points at 51%, as of this writing.
AFC East Division
Kalshi traders have the Buffalo Bills at 56% to win the AFC East, as of this writing, leading a four-team field that also includes the defending division-champion New England Patriots at 40%.
AFC North Division
Kalshi traders have the Pittsburgh Steelers at 19% to win the AFC North, as of this writing, with the Baltimore Ravens leading the division at 48%.
The takeaway
Kalshi markets now predict:
When is Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills? Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Where is the game? Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.
How can I watch? NFL Network.
What is Kalshi traders' current number? Buffalo 58%, Pittsburgh 42%, as of this writing.
Buffalo enters as the favorite in a game shaped more by roster bubbles than the scoreboard, with both teams' backup quarterback battles carrying more weight than the final score.
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