Pittsburgh, Pa. (WGR 550) - It was mostly a disastrous performance from start-to-finish by the Buffalo Bills in a 27-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in their second preseason game.
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Obviously, that means I’ll have to start with my Arrows pointing down.
ARROW DOWN:
Penalties
After committing eight penalties a week ago, head coach Sean McDermott wasn’t pleased. Then his team went out and had 12 flags thrown against them just in the first half alone on Saturday night.
They finished with 13 penalties-against for a total of 93 yards lost.
QB - Matt Barkley
One week after going 14-of-15 for 172 yards against the Indianapolis Colts, Barkley threw three interceptions and lost a fumble, totaling four turnovers on just 7-of-12 passing for 93 yards.
Starting defense
The Steelers' starting offense ran and threw right through the Bills' starting defense on the first two series of the game.
Things started with a long 62-yard run for a touchdown, followed by a one play, 25-yard pass for a touchdown on their next drive.
OT - Spencer Brown
In the span of three plays in the first quarter, Brown committed a block in the back penalty nullifying a six-yard gain, then was called for holding, which wiped out a 35-yard completion to Gabe Davis on 2nd-and-24.
Pass protection/offensive line
The Steelers were only credited with two sacks, but Buffalo quarterbacks were under pressure all night.
The Bills' starting offensive line gave up pressures to Steelers backup defenders, and couldn't open up much in the running game.
Long run allowed
On the very first drive of the game, Steelers running back Jaylen Warren got a small crease and took off down the left sideline for an eventual 62-yard touchdown run.
There were poor run gap fits and bad angles by the Bills defense on the play.
10 men on the first play
Things started out poorly from the very beginning when the Bills lined up with just 10 men on the field on the very first snap. It was a pass completion to rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid, but that’s an unacceptable way to start a game since it’s been scripted and planned.
First quarter
The opening quarter was a complete disaster for the Bills.
They were out-gained 133 yards to 66. They were 0-for-3 on third down. They had two yards rushing, punted twice (one of which was tipped), committed six penalties for 46 yards, gave up a 62-yard touchdown run and a 25-yard touchdown pass.
The Bills trailed 14-0 less than five minutes into the game.
Running game
The Bills averaged just 3.6 yards per-carry on Saturday. Starting running back James Cook ran for just three yards on three attempts.
Punt return against
After the Bills went three-and-out on their first offensive series, Sam Martin booted a punt 57 yards, but it was returned 54 yards the other way by Calvin Austin, setting the Steelers up at the Bills' 25-yard line.
Pittsburgh went on to score on the very next play.
Tipped punt
On the very next series, after the Bills' drive stalled at their own 47-yard line, Martin’s punt was tipped and only went 28 yards before being downed at the Steelers' 25-yard line.
Middle linebacker play
McDermott said earlier in the week that middle linebacker needs improvement. No one stepped up to show they can be a difference maker on Saturday.
Tyrel Dodson and A.J. Klein played a majority of the reps at the spot and combined for five total tackles.
ARROW UP:
TE - Dalton Kincaid
Kincaid was very impressive, as he has been all training camp, hauling in three passes for 45 yards. This included a grab on the first play of the game and a 25-yarder later.
DE - Kameron Cline
Cline was active all game, getting in on the tackle on the opening kickoff of the game, then recovering a fumble at the Steelers' two-yard line, setting up a Bills touchdown.
He finished the game with two tackles, a sack, a quarterback hurry, and the fumble recovery.
CB - Siran Neal
Neal was in on that opening kickoff tackle, then was flying around the field all game. He had a huge pass breakup in the second quarter, added another later, and finished with a pair of tackles, as well.
QB - Kyle Allen
It may have largely gone unnoticed because of the score of the game, and when he played, but Allen finished with a very impressive stat line, going 12-for-15 (80%) for 112 yards and a touchdown.
WR - Justin Shorter
Shorter led all pass catchers with five grabs for 47 yards and a touchdown.
G - O'Cyrus Torrence
While the offensive line as a unit didn't perform well enough, the rookie Torrence may have locked up the starting right guard job after a solid performance.
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