Pittsburgh, Pa. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Bills defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 9-3, on Saturday night at Acrisure Stadium in the second preseason game for both clubs.
Here are my Arrows Up and Down from the game, starting Up after the victory:
ARROW UP:
LB - Joe Andreessen
A terrific story, and now an incredible game for the Lancaster High School and University at Buffalo product.
Andreessen started the contest at middle linebacker, played every snap into the fourth quarter calling the defense, and had a game-high 12 tackles, including two for a loss.
Andreessen may be pushing to make the final 53-man roster after that performance, especially given the injuries to Buffalo's linebacker group. A storybook over last couple of months just added another chapter.
Starting defense
The starting defense came out with intention and purpose.
They were physical from the start, forcing two three-and-outs and four-consecutive punts to start the game.
The Steelers had just nine total yards on 11 plays in the first quarter.
DE - Greg Rousseau
Rousseau was beast in very limited time, collecting 2.5 sacks and another three quarterback hurries in just about a quarter of play.
He absolutely destroyed Steelers right tackle and last year's first-round pick Broderick Jones on his second sack.
RB - Ray Davis
Davis ran hard and fast, picking up a game-high 58 yards on just eight carries, averaging 7.3 yards per-run.
Running game
The Bills' running game overall was much better than last week, rolling for a total of 167 yards and averaging 4.9 yards per-carry.
RB - Frank Gore Jr.
Gore was decisive and showed elusiveness, running eight times for 41 yards, averaging 5.1 yards per-carry.
CB - Ja'Marcus Ingram
Ingram was around the football a lot, collecting eight total tackles to lead all defensive backs.
DE - Javon Solomon
Solomon was credited with four quarterback hurries, in addition to two total tackles.
DE - Kingsley Jonathan
Jonathan had two tackles, a sack, and another two quarterback hurries.
P - Sam Martin
Martin was booming punts on Saturday, averaging 52.8 yards per-try.
K - Tyler Bass
Bass was 3-for-3 on field goals on the day.
Third- and fourth-down defense
The Steelers were a combined 4-for-16 (25%) on third and fourth down.
Red zone defense
The Steelers were in the Bills' red zone twice, but settled for two field goal attempts. One was no good.
ARROW DOWN:
No touchdowns
The Bills have now played two preseason games and have yet to score a touchdown. They won this game with three field goals.
QB - Mitch Trubisky
For the second week in-a-row, Trubisky struggled throwing the ball, completing 9-of-13 passes for 86 yards with an interception.
Third-down offense
The Bills were just 2-for-10 (20%) on third down in the game.
Penalties
Once again, penalties were an issue for the Bills, being flagged eight times for 50 yards.
Red zone offense
The Bills were 0-for-3 in the Steelers' red zone, settling for field goals each time.
Passing game
The Bills threw for just 106 yards total. Trubisky and Ben DiNucci were also sacked three times, and they had three passing plays that gained over 10 yards.
Buffalo's wide receivers had a total of five catches on just eight targets for only 37 yards.
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