The Buffalo Bills were victorious after a very slow first half but managed to outscore Pittsburgh 23-0 in the second half of Sunday’s game. Fans around the stadium started chanting “Fire Tomlin”, not nearly as loud as the “Fire Canada” chants heard a few seasons ago. The Steelers fan base, like the Bills Mafia, has had a love-hate relationship with the coaching and leadership positions, as both teams seem to be doing the same thing every season. Pittsburgh goes 10-7 or 9-8 and loses in the wildcard, while Buffalo can get 13/14 wins but still lose in the playoffs before a Super Bowl appearance.
Game Recap
Buffalo snapped its skid with a physical 26–7 win in Pittsburgh, a game that saw the Bills re-establish control on the ground and force the turnovers that decided the afternoon. Buffalo finished with 372 total yards and an especially punishing rushing attack — James Cook carried 32 times for 144 yards — while the Bills’ defense turned a blindside hit into the game’s momentum swing.
The turning point came early in the second half when Joey Bosa’s blindside hit forced an Aaron Rodgers fumble that Christian Benford scooped up and returned 17 yards for Buffalo’s go-ahead touchdown. From there, Buffalo ground an 83-yard drive late in the game and chewed clock with their run game, and kicker Matt Prater added two field goals to salt the game away. The Bills dominated the line of scrimmage and converted key third downs while limiting the Steelers to just 166 total yards.
Beyond the box score, Josh Allen made history — scoring on an 8-yard QB run that gave him the NFL record for career rushing TDs by a quarterback — but this win was as much about balance as it was about milestones. The result moves Buffalo to 8–4 in a suddenly crowded AFC picture and gives them some breathing room heading into a tough December stretch; Pittsburgh falls to 6–6 and now faces big questions about consistency on offense and protection up front.
My Players of the Game
What made this Bills win especially impressive was the unexpected dominance from their patchwork offensive line. I usually never highlight two linemen in a breakdown, but Alec Anderson and Ryan Van Demark deserved it. On paper, this matchup looked like a disaster waiting to happen — two backup tackles facing one of the NFL’s most aggressive pass-rush units in a hostile environment. The expectation was simple: the Steelers’ front would overwhelm them, collapse the pocket, and force Josh Allen into hurried throws or negative plays.
Instead, Anderson and Van Demark played the best combined game of their young careers. Their technique was disciplined, their communication was clean, and their anchor held up snap after snap. Pittsburgh’s defense, a unit that lives off momentum and pressure, generated zero sacks and only minimal disruption. That completely changed the flow of the game. With a clean pocket, Allen was able to stay patient, push the ball downfield when necessary, and use his legs on his terms rather than out of survival.
The ripple effect was massive. Buffalo could run its full playbook — play-action, deep shots, designed QB runs — because the tackles weren’t getting caved in. It also allowed the run game to stay on schedule, helping the Bills control tempo and wear Pittsburgh down in the second half. In a matchup that was supposed to be defined by the Steelers’ defensive front, the Bills’ makeshift offensive line became the deciding factor, neutralizing the one advantage Pittsburgh absolutely had to win.
AFC Playoff Picture
AFC East: With a win over the Steelers, Buffalo still sits in the wildcard spot as the New England Patriots play tonight against the New York Giants, with a loss and a Bills win next week, Buffalo would be just one game behind when they play on December 14th.
AFC North: The Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens are both 6-6, while the Cincinnati Bengals are two games back with Joe Burrow back at QB. The North is wide open heading into December.
AFC South: After a dominating start to the season, the Indianapolis Colts find themselves 8-4, tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars; The Texans sit one game back at 7-5, ready to take the division.
AFC West: The Denver Broncos sit snug at 10-2, tied with the New England Patriots for the #1 seed. Behind them are the 8-4 Chargers, followed by the struggling 6-6 Kansas City Chiefs, who are currently 10th in the AFC.
A Look Ahead
Buffalo is 8-4 and desperately needs a win next week against the Cincinnati Bengals to stay alive for the AFC East as they take on the New England Patriots in Foxborough. In week 16, Buffalo travels to Cleveland to take on Rookie QB Shedeur Sanders.
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