Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills came back home Sunday afternoon to host the Pittsburgh Steelers at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
Buffalo came into the game with a few lingering injuries from weeks prior, but that didn't phase the Bills, as they turned to rookies like Khalil Shakir and James Cook to become crucial pieces in the team's 38-3 win.
The Bills received the opening kickoff, where they found themselves on their own two-yard line after the return was bobbled by veteran Taiwan Jones.
However, on the third play of the drive, quarterback Josh Allen unleashed a 98-yard pass to wide receiver Gabe Davis, who broke free and scored the game's opening touchdown that put the Bills up 7-0.
After a fumbled kick return by the Steelers recovered by Taron Johnson, Pittsburgh's defense was able to stop Buffalo, and the special teams unit even managed to block a 49-yard field goal attempt by kicker Tyler Bass.
Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett - making his first NFL start - managed to march his team down the field as far as the Bills' 11-yard line. Despite not finding the end zone, kicker Chris Boswell was called into action and kicked a 29-yard field goal to put the Steelers on the board.
As it turned out, that would be the only points scored for the Steelers on the afternoon in Orchard Park.
Allen and the Bills offense came back on the field with their own deep drive, where Shakir lead the way for the offense with 31 yards in the air. Like the Steelers, though, the Bills needed to settle for a field goal, as Bass made his 35-yard attempt to give Buffalo a 10-3 lead.
The Bills offense came back onto the field after giving up an interception in the end zone to former Bills cornerback Levi Wallace, and managed to score another long touchdown in just one play. This time, Allen found Davis again with a 62-yard, one-handed grab to put the Bills up 17-3.
Following a third-consecutive three-and-out series for the Steelers, the Bills offense went right back to work, scoring another touchdown in just two plays. Allen found wide receiver Stefon Diggs for a 15-yard score to give the Bills a comfortable 21-point lead.
After the Steelers missed a 33-yard field goal on their next drive, Allen, once again, marched the offense down the field and found Shakir for his first career NFL touchdown from 24 yards out.
To end the first half, Allen was on another level, going 14-of-24 for 348 yards, four touchdowns, his one interception and a quarterback rating of 125.0.
Just before halftime, Pickett and the Steelers were hoping to add some points on the scoreboard, but ended up tossing an interception to rookie cornerback Kaiir Elam. The interception was the first career pick for the 2022 first-round pick.
After another defensive stop by the Bills to open the second half, the Bills nearly put up another score, but tight end Quintin Morris fumbled just before crossing the goal line and the Steelers recovered the loose football.
After another missed field goal from Boswell and the Steelers to end the third quarter, Allen and the Bills quickly got the ball into scoring position once again.
After a 41-yard catch-and-run from Diggs, it was Cooks getting his first career NFL touchdown, as he found the end zone from 24 yards out to make the score 38-3, Buffalo.
That final scoring drive ended up being the end of the afternoon for Allen, as he finished the day throwing for 424 yards, which ended up being a new franchise record for the most passing yards ever registered in a regulation game.
On the Steelers' final drive of the game, with Pittsburgh looking to add a garbage time touchdown, Lawson ended up pressuring Pickett into an incompletion on a fourth down and forcing a turnover on downs.
After Lawson lost his balance and hit Pickett low, the rookie quarterback responded by shoving the Bills pass rusher and a scrum ensued. A.J. Epenesa ended up being ejected after getting involved with head official John Hussey, while Lawson was escorted off the field as he continued to jaw with the Steelers' sideline.
In the end, Buffalo ended up accounting or 552 yards of total offense, as they cemented their fourth win of the 2022 season.
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GAME SUMMARY
First Quarter:
- 7-0 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (13:56) - Josh Allen unloads a 98-yardtouchdown pass to Gabriel Davis. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 3 plays, 98 yards, 1:04
- 7-3 BUFFALO: Steelers field goal (5:38) - Chris Boswell's 29-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 12 plays, 50 yards, 6:18
- 10-3 BUFFALO: Bills field goal (2:41) - Tyler Bass' 35-yard field goal attempt is good.
Drive info: 7 plays, 48 yards, 2:57
Second Quarter:
- 17-3 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (9:29) - Josh Allen hurls a 62-yard touchdown pass to Gabriel Davis. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 1 play, 62 yards, 0:10
- 24-3 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (7:20) - Josh Allen throws a 15-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 2 plays, 53 yards, 0:33
- 31-3 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (1:02) - Josh Allen lobs a 24-yard touchdown pass to Khalil Shakir. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 8 plays, 77 yards, 2:37
Third Quarter:
- NO SCORING
Fourth Quarter:
- 38-3 BUFFALO: Bills touchdown (14:03) - James Cook rushes 24 yards for a touchdown. (Tyler Bass' extra point attempt is good)
Drive info: 2 plays, 65 yards, 0:57
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SKYWORKS EQUIPMENT RENTAL STATS OF THE GAME:
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What's next:
The Bills head back on the road next Sunday for a rematch of the classic 2021 AFC Divisional Round matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kickoff in Kansas City is set for 4:25 p.m. ET on the official voice of the Bills - WGR Sports Radio 550.
