Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - Behind an electric atmosphere in a snow-covered Highmark Stadium, the Buffalo Bills take down the Pittsburgh Steelers by a final score of 31-17 in the AFC Wild Card Round.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen lead the way offensively with four total touchdowns - three of the passing variety and one on the ground with his feet.
Monday was the fourth all-time postseason meeting between the Bills and Steelers. The last time the two teams faced one another in the playoffs came in the 1995 season when the Steelers downed the Bills, 40-21, in the AFC Divisional Round at the old Three Rivers Stadium.
After receiving the opening kickoff of the game, the Steelers only managed one first down on their first drive of the game before punting the ball away.
As for the Bills, their first drive was a methodical one, and it resulted in the game's opening score.
A 10-play drive from the Bills was capped off when Allen connected with tight end Dawson Knox for a nine-yard touchdown to give the Bills a quick 7-0 lead.
After both teams exchange some punts, the Steelers gave the ball right back to Buffalo following a George Pickens fumble. Cornerback Taron Johnson forced the fumble, while linebacker Terrel Bernard hopped on the loose ball for the recovery.
The Bills then wasted no time, scoring on the very next play with Allen hitting tight end Dalton Kincaid for a 29-yard touchdown strike.
In the opening stages of the second quarter, Pittsburgh started finding some success offensively, and ended up getting some help on a Kaiir Elam pass interference to put the ball inside the five-yard line.
Two plays later, though, Elam redeemed himself with a huge play by jumping a pass intended for Diontae Johnson in the end zone. His interception resulted in a touchback and got the Bills offense the ball back.
Off the turnover, Allen took matters into his own hands on a 3rd-and-7 at the Bills' 48-yard line. Not only did he find open space to get a first down, but ended up breaking free and scrambling for a huge 52-yard touchdown run.
With time running down before the two-minute warning, the Bills had another chance to extend their lead by a field goal from kicker Tyler Bass. However, his 49-yard attempt ended up being blocked, allowing the Steelers to take over all the way back at the Bills' 33-yard line.
Five plays later, the Steelers finally find the end zone thanks to a 10-yard touchdown connection between quarterback Mason Rudolph and wide receiver Dionate Johnson.
Despite having 1:39 to work with before halftime, the Bills failed to tack on any more points on the scoreboard, but were content to take a 21-7 advantage into the locker room.
After the Bills went three-and-out to start the third quarter, the Steelers closed the gap just a bit on their opening drive with a 40-yard field goal from kicker Chris Boswell.
However, the Bills defense suffered a significant blow on Pittsburgh's opening drive, as linebacker Terrel Bernard ended up being carted off the field with an ankle injury.
The Bills had an immediate response to the Steelers' field goal with a field goal of their own. A 45-yard field goal from Bass helped increase the Buffalo lead back to 14 points.
In the late stages of the third quarter and into the final quarter, Pittsburgh managed to find the end zone once more to close the deficit to one score. This time, Rudolph found wide receiver Calvin Austin III for a seven-yard touchdown to make it a 24-17 score with 10:32 to go.
However, that was as close as the Steelers would get in this game.
The Bills respond to Pittsburgh's touchdown with a score of their own, capping off a 70-yard drive with Khalil Shakir bouncing off a tackle and finding the end zone from 17 yards out.
With time running out on the Steelers' season, Pittsburgh faced a 4th-and-3 at their own 32-yard line. However, the Buffalo defense managed to make a stop to kill any momentum the Steelers might have had left.
Despite Bass missing a late 27-yard field goal, the Steelers could not capitalize as the clock ran out on their last gasp effort.
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GAME SUMMARY
First Quarter:
- 7-0 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (7:02) - Josh Allen tosses a 9-yard touchdown pass to Dawson Knox. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:33
- 14-0 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (4:10) - Josh Allen connects with Dalton Kincaid for a 29-yard touchdown pass. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 1 play, 29 yards, 0:05
Second Quarter:
- 21-0 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (7:01) - Josh Allen scrambles past defenders for a 52-yard touchdown run. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 8 plays, 80 yards, 3:51
- 21-7 BUFFALO: Steelers touchdown (1:39) - Mason Rudolph hits Diontae Johnson for a 10-yard touchdown pass. (Chris Boswell extra point is good)
Drive info: 5 plays, 33 yards, 0:35
Third Quarter:
- 21-10 BUFFALO: Steelers field goal (8:50) - Chris Boswell's 40-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 9 plays, 38 yards, 4:34
- 24-10 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (1:32) - Tyler Bass' 45-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 14 plays, 48 yards, 7:18
Fourth Quarter:
- 24-17 BUFFALO: Steelers touchdown (10:32) - Mason Rudolph fires a 7-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III. (Chris Boswell extra point is good)
Drive info: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:00
- 31-17 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (6:27) - Josh Allen connects with Kahlil Shakir, who breaks a tackle for a 17-yard touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 7 plays, 70 yards, 4:05
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SKYWORKS EQUPIMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME
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What's next:
The Bills will play host to another AFC Divisional Round contest, this time against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs at Highmark Stadium on Sunday. Kickoff from Highmark Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m. EST on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.