Buffalo Bills Dominate Pittsburgh Steelers in 26-7 Victory
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The Buffalo Bills secured an essential 26-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, improving their record to 8-4 and solidifying their position in the crowded AFC playoff race. The game saw the Bills dominate on the ground, amassing 249 rushing yards, marking the most given up by the Steelers at home in 50 years, since 1975.
James Cook III was a standout performer, carrying the ball 32 times for 144 yards, while quarterback Josh Allen added 38 rushing yards and a touchdown, making this his 11th rushing touchdown of the season, which set an NFL record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback with 76 in his career, surpassing Cam Newton's total.
Despite being without their starting right tackles and a tight end, the Bills' offensive line, featuring backups Ryan Van Demark and Alec Anderson, managed to keep Allen clean, not allowing any sacks against a formidable Steelers pass rush led by T.J.
Watt. The first half was rocky for Buffalo, as they trailed 7-3 at one point. However, Joey Bosa's crucial sack of Aaron Rodgers, which led to a fumble returned for a touchdown by Christian Benford, shifted momentum in favor of the Bills.
From that moment, Buffalo never looked back, dominating the second half of the game. Allen finished the game with a modest 123 passing yards on 15 completions but effectively utilized short passes, focusing on ball control given the windy conditions in Pittsburgh.
The Bills' strategy of relying heavily on their run game proved effective and was a necessary adjustment considering their injury challenges. On the defensive side, the Bills limited the Steelers to just 166 total yards and only 58 rushing yards, showcasing a robust performance led by players like Shaq Thompson and Benford.
The win is critical for Buffalo as they aim for a record seventh consecutive playoff appearance. Meanwhile, the Steelers' struggles continued, with head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledging the fans' frustrations, especially after witnessing the team's lackluster performance that drew boos from the home crowd.
Tomlin noted the importance of winning in the entertainment business of football, expressing understanding of the fans' discontent as the Steelers remain tied at the top of the AFC North with a 6-6 record.
The loss raises questions about the Steelers' playoff viability as they head into a crucial matchup against the Baltimore Ravens this upcoming week. The Bills' commanding victory against a storied franchise like Pittsburgh reinforces their playoff ambitions and highlights their resilience amid adversity.