Pittsburgh, Pa. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills were able to get the ground game going on Sunday, running the ball over the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 26-7 win at Acrisure Stadium.
The Bills offense started with the football and things did not go according to plan.
At the start, quarterback Josh Allen was able to complete a big third-down attempt to his new receiver Brandin Cooks. After that, though, the Bills faced another 3rd-and-long situation, but this time, Allen's intended pass to wideout Gabe Davis ended up being intercepted by Steelers cornerback Brandin Echols.
Pittsburgh was unable to capitalize on the interception, though, and the game remained scoreless for the remainder of the first quarter.
The Bills offense continued their run of predictable plays, and could not get out in front of the Steelers.
Pittsburgh got its second takeaway of the night early in the second quarter in Buffalo territory, as running back James Cook fumbled as the result of his own knee jarring the football loose of his grasp.
The Steelers were able to take advantage of the field position, as running back Jaylen Warren eventually found the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown run to put up the first points of the game.
After the touchdown, the Bills put together a 16-play drive that chewed off a significant amount of game clock before halftime.
Ultimately, Buffalo was unable to find the end zone, even after Allen converted multiple times on the ground himself to keep the drive alive.
After a false start penalty on a 4th-and-3 backed the Bills out of a position to convert inside the Steelers' 5-yard line, Matt Prater successfully kicked a 27-yard field goal to get the Bills on the board just before the half.
With the Steelers receiving the second-half kickoff, Buffalo's defense took the field and made a statement on the very first play from scrimmage in the third quarter.
Bills pass rusher Joey Bosa was able to escape a blocker and force a violent fumble of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, which was then recovered by cornerback Christian Benford and returned 17 yards for a Buffalo touchdown.
On the ensuing Steelers drive, it was Benford making another huge play on defense, this time picking off quarterback Mason Rudolph after he aired a pass intended for tight end Darnell Washington just over his head.
The Bills capitalized on their first offensive drive of the third quarter, as the momentum seemed to have totally shifted in their favor.
It took the Buffalo offense eight plays to find the end zone for the first time, as Allen found wide receiver Keon Coleman for a 1-yard touchdown pass on a 4th-and-goal situation.
It was a Buffalo heavy second half, as the Bills found the end zone again on their next drive.
Buffalo was able to cap off an impressive 15-play, 83-yard drive that bled into the fourth quarter with a historic touchdown for Allen. After taking off to his right and finding the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown run, Allen established himself as the all-time leader in rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, passing Cam Newton with his 76th career touchdown run.
The Bills defense was able to stop the Steelers once again on the next Pittsburgh drive, forcing a turnover on downs inside the Buffalo red zone thanks to a run stop on fourth down by defensive end Greg Rousseau.
That put the Bills in a position to chew even more game clock and put the finishing touches on a road victory.
Buffalo was able to do just that, going on a 14-play drive that ate 9:04 off the game clock and ended with a 37-yard field goal from Prater with 1:07 remaining in regulation.
From there, Pittsburgh elected to run out the remainder of the clock with Rudolph back under center, sealing a 26-7 victory for the Bills.
With the win, the Bills improve to 8-4 on the season and help ensure their positioning for a playoff spot within the AFC standings.
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SCORING RECAP
First Quarter:
- No scoring plays
Second Quarter:
- 7-0 PITTSBURGH: Steelers Touchdown (8:09) - Jaylen Warren rushes up the middle for a 1-yard touchdown. (Chris Boswell's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 6 plays, 39 yards, 2:23
- 7-3 PITTSBURGH: Bills Field Goal (0:51) - Matt Prater's 27-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 16 plays, 60 yards, 7:18
Third Quarter:
- 10-7 BUFFALO: Bills Touchdown (13:16) - Joey Bosa forces a fumble that's recovered by Christian Benford, who returns it 9 yards for a touchdown. (Matt Prater's extra point attempt is good)
- 16-7 BUFFALO: Bills Touchdown (8:49) - Josh Allen passes short to Keon Coleman for a 1-yard touchdown. (Matt Prater's extra point attempt is no good)
Drive info: 8 plays, 56 yards, 4:27
Fourth Quarter:
- 23-7 BUFFALO: Bills Touchdown (14:08) - Josh Allen rushes for an 8-yard touchdown run. (Matt Prater's extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 15 plays, 83 yards, 8:14
- 26-7 BUFFALO: Bills Field Goal (1:07) - Matt Prater's 37-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 14 plays, 72 yards, 9:04
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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
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What's next:
The Bills return home to host the Cincinnati Bengals next Sunday afternoon at Highmark Stadium. Kickoff was originally set for 4:25 p.m., but has since been flexed into the 1 o'clock slate. Be sure to catch all of the game action on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.
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