The Bills felt they had landed a great prospect at wide receiver with the selection of Lee Evans 13th overall in last April's draft. But the dynamic Wisconsin product has come on faster than even they expected.

Evans has 46 catches for 780 yards and nine touchdowns, making him the most productive scorer from the ballyhooed 2004 wide receiver draft class. Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald (No. 2 overall) has 57 catches for 756 yards and eight TDs while Detroit's Roy Williams (No. 7) has 54 for 831 with seven touchdowns. Jacksonville's Reggie Williams (No. 9) has 29-268-1.

"Just based on the ones (rookies) I've been around, he's come along a lot faster," coach Mike Mularkey said. "His added experience playing at Wisconsin helps with that. But he has come on faster than we expected."

What makes Evans so prolific right now isn't just his speed, Mularkey said, but his toughness. He isn't intimidated by any coverage he sees or by physical tactics of defensive backs.

"I can't say it's been easy, but it's a challenge each week," Evans said. "It's about adjusting."

Evans' nine TDs are a Bills rookie record. With his next TD catch, he can become the first Bill ever to record a TD pass in six consecutive games.

PLAYER PERSONNEL NOTES

--RB Willis McGahee needs 137 yards to break the club's rushing record for a first-year player. He has shown no ill effects of the knee injury he suffered two games ago and should be poised for a big game Sunday against the Steelers' top-ranked defense if Pittsburgh rests a lot of its starters as expected.

--QB Drew Bledsoe can become the seventh quarterback in NFL history to top 10,000 yards passing with two different clubs with just 38 against the Steelers.

--KR Terrence McGee needs 46 kickoff return yards on Sunday to set a new team record.

--CB Nate Clements can match a personal high for interceptions in a season with one on Sunday against the Steelers. He picked off six in 2002.

--RB Travis Henry still isn't practicing and is questionable for Sunday's final game against Pittsburgh. Henry has torn ligaments in his ankle.

GAME PLAN
The Bills will face Tommy Maddox at quarterback for the Steelers, not wunderkind rookie Ben Roethlisberger (ribs) who has led Pittsburgh to a team-record 13 consecutive wins. That's good and bad news for the Bills. Maddox hasn't played since Week 2 and Bills coach Mike Mularkey knows him like a book, coaching him to NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors in 2002 while the Steelers' offensive coordinator. But Maddox is a rested, eager, proven leader who will want a good showing to enhance his future, wherever that takes him. Getting to Maddox early before he can shake off the rust will be important. Offensively, the Bills will see the Steelers' No. 1-ranked unit that includes Pro Bowlers James Farrior, Joe Porter and Troy Polamalu at least to start the game. QB Drew Bledsoe has consistently struggled against 3-4 teams (think New England) and unless Buffalo's running game clicks and creates favorable third-down situations, the Steelers will be coming hard at Bledsoe with an array of zone blitzes in a stat-padding frenzy. The Bills need to somehow challenge CB Chad Scott and LB Kendrell Bell, former Steelers starters who have missed most of the year with injuries but want to test their readiness for the playoffs.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH

--Bills CB Nate Clements vs. Steelers WR Hines Ward - The Pro Bowler Ward has had another super season with 78 catches for 993 yards and four TDs. He moves the chains.

--Bills LBs vs. Steelers RBs - The Bus (Jerome Bettis) will be resting in park, but Duce Staley and Verron Haynes are more than capable of carrying the load.

--Bills RB Willis McGahee vs. Steelers run defense - Pittsburgh ranks No. 1 against the run at 80.2 yards per game. Buffalo needs to establish a ground game to avoid placing too much pressure on QB Drew Bledsoe's arm.

--Bills LT Jonas Jennings vs. Steelers DE Aaron Smith - Smith has eight sacks and was snubbed for the Pro Bowl.

--Bills ST vs. Steelers KR/PR Antwaan Randel El - Bills' top coverage units face off against one of the NFL's most dangerous return men.

INJURY IMPACT
OG Chris Villarrial has an abdominal strain that could keep him out of Sunday's showdown with the Steelers. He suffered the same injury earlier in the season. He was not able to practice Wednesday. If he can't go, Lawrence Smith, a former starter, will get the nod. The Bills have developed good depth along their line and there should not be much of a drop off.

TE Jason Peters has a tender hamstring but is practicing. The Bills miss his presence on special teams and the club's depth at TE is weak with Mark Campbell and Tim Euhus out for the year with knee injuries.

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