Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR) - The Buffalo Bills gave the home crowd a thrilling 28-27 comeback win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday to finish the 2026 preseason with a 3-0 record.
Here are my Arrows Up and Down following the contest, starting Up for a third-straight game:
Orchard Park, N.Y. - Buffalo Bills running back Ian Wheeler runs the ball in for a touchdown during the second half of a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Highmark Stadium on Aug. 27, 2026. Timothy T. Ludwig - Getty Images
ARROW UP:
Keonta Jenkins
Jenkins had a sack on the very first defensive play of the game, then led all Bills tacklers with five stops - all of them solo - and added a quarterback hit.
Frank Gore Jr.
While the overall run game numbers weren’t great, Gore did a nice job of gaining yards after contact and contributing in the passing game as well. He finished his night with five catches for 45 yards to go along with 27 yards on the ground for a 72-yard offensive night.
Skyler Bell
In his first game action of the preseason, Bell led all Bills pass catchers with seven grabs for 49 yards, and also had a terrific a 28-yard touchdown scamper on an end-around for a 77-yard night.
Tommy Doman
Doman punted four times and pinned the Steelers inside their 20-yard line on two of them. He had a 49-yarder that was beautifully placed at the 10-yard line right at the Pittsburgh sideline.
He also kicked off six different times, showing he can handle those duties, if needed.
Shane Buechele
Buechele didn’t throw a touchdown pass, but he completed 28-of-36 attempts (77.8%) for 196 yards without a turnover.
With 2:14 remaining, he led the team down the field for the game-winning drive, including the two-point conversion pass to cap it off in the end.
Pass defense
The Steelers threw for just 135 yards, and the Bills held them to only 3.8 yards per-attempt.
Orchard Park, N.Y. - Buffalo Bills quarterback Shane Buechele throws a pass to wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. during the first half of a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Highmark Stadium on Aug. 27, 2026. Timothy T. Ludwig - Getty Images
ARROW DOWN:
Ray Davis
Davis got the first crack at punt returns, but muffed his first return, which was recovered by the Steelers at the Bills' 13-yard line.
Pittsburgh scored a touchdown on the next play.
Mitch Wishnowsky
The Bills punter hit one too short, but got a favorable bounce. A penalty gave him another shot at it, but it only got worse with a punt that went for just 19 yards.
Max Hairston
The second-year cornerback missed a clean open-field tackle on the play following the muffed punt, allowing Steelers wideout Germie Bernard to walk into the end zone.
Run game
The Bills' running game was pretty non-existent most of the night. They totaled just 89 yards on the ground, and that included Bell’s 28--yard touchdown run.
Mecole Hardman
Hardman had, yet, another clean drop on a big second-down play in the Steelers' red zone.
Red zone defense
The Steelers converted touchdowns on all three of their trips into the Bills' red zone.
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