Bills rule out two key players ahead of Super Wild Card Weekend

The No. 2 seed Bills are 9.5-point favorites in their wild-card matchup against the No. 7 seed Steelers on Sunday. However, the game could turn out to be even closer than expected after ruling out two key players on Friday.

Buffalo ruled out WR Gabe Davis (PCL sprain) and safety Taylor Rapp (calf), per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

It's quite the loss on both sides of the ball for the Bills. 

Davis had the second most receiving yards (746) and receiving touchdowns (seven) for Buffalo this season. His absence will likely force the team to rely on second-year WR Khalil Shakir and rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid even more.

The two have impressed this season, combining for 112 receptions for 1,284 yards and four touchdowns. But heavily relying on rookies in the playoffs is always a risky thing due to their inexperience.

Luckily for the Bills, inclement weather is expected on Sunday which will likely force both teams to lean on their running attacks.

According to NFL analytics expert Warren Sharp, it is expected to be 23 degrees with a real feel of seven degrees at the 1 p.m. ET kickoff. There will be 25 mph winds and light snow throughout the afternoon as well.

Nonetheless, Davis, who stands at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, could have impacted the running game with his blocking.

Losing Rapp will also be a blow in what will likely be a defensive game.

The fifth-year safety injured his calf on his game-sealing interception in Week 18 that helped the Bills steal the No. 2 seed in the AFC away from the Dolphins.

Buffalo still has veteran safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer holding down the back end of the defense, but another injury could make the team very vulnerable.

Only time will tell if the Bills can overcome the losses of Davis and Rapp. But as long as they have QB Josh Allen, they will always have a chance to win.