BREAKING NEWS: Bills key player Josh Allen just announced his departure in…
It took a day longer than Bills Mafia had expected, but the Buffalo Bills are moving along on the road to Super Bowl 58.
In a wild-card game delayed more than 24 hours by lake effect snow and wind conditions, Josh Allen passed for 203 yards and three TDs as the Bills withstood a late comeback by the Pittsburgh Steelers to win 31-17 on Monday afternoon. Allen also rushed for 74 yards and his team’s other score, a 52-yard sprint through Pittsburgh’s defense in the second quarter.
Buffalo led 21-0 midway through the second quarter before Pittsburgh mounted its charge, sparked by a blocked field goal that led to a touchdown. But the Bills hung on, their triumph cemented by Allen’s 17-yard TD strike to Khalil Shakir midway through the fourth quarter.
“We’ve got a resilient group, the veteran leadership that we have I really think it’s unmatched in the league,” Allen said on the CBS broadcast following the game. “I just appreciate the guys.”
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) celebrates a touchdown in the first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
They will next host the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs in next Sunday’s divisional round, Buffalo’s victory also sends the Houston Texans to face the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.
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The win was the sixth in a row for the Bills, whose late-season rush enabled them to snatch the AFC East crown from the Miami Dolphins. Buffalo, one of 12 teams to never win the Super Bowl, advances to the divisional round for the fourth consecutive season. The Chiefs have eliminated the Bills in two of the past three postseasons.
Meanwhile, the Steelers suffered their fifth consecutive playoff defeat, dating to the 2016 AFC title game. And they could be entering an offseason of massive uncertainty, head coach Mike Tomlin, per an NBC report, set to weigh his future with just one year remaining on his contract. Pittsburgh’s coach since 2007, Tomlin is currently the league’s longest-tenured head coach following Bill Belichick’s departure from the New England Patriots last week.
The Steelers got a late-season jolt from third-string QB Mason Rudolph (229 yards, 2 TDs passing Monday), though that also served to spotlight the struggles of starter Kenny Pickett, the team’s first-round pick in 2022, who suffered an injured ankle midway through the season. Rudolph is scheduled to be a free agent in March.
Winners and losers from the Bills’ wild card win against the Steelers
WINNERS
Josh Allen
There were plenty of big moments for the star signal-caller, who ripped off the second-longest scoring run by a quarterback in NFL playoff history with his 52-yard scamper. But this didn’t feel like the all-Allen effort that the Bills have occasionally counted on to carry them, with youngsters like Dalton Kincaid and James Cook stepping up to lend a hand. And wide receiver Khalil Shakir came up with a distinctly Allen-like second-effort on a fourth-quarter touchdown to help ice the game.
Bills Mafia
Nice showing from a crew that trudged through the snow to get a frigid viewing of a playoff conquest. Was there ever any doubt that these fans would turn out, though? And now they get another home playoff, with the chance to avenge that stunning loss to Patrick Mahomes and Co. two years ago.
Kansas City Chiefs
It’s hardly an ideal matchup to take on a red-hot team with this caliber quarterback for Mahomes’ first playoff road game. But the Chiefs will have a two-day rest advantage going into the showdown – and they have plenty of reason of confidence given their postseason history.
LOSERS
Steelers defense
For all the consternation about the team’s quarterbacks this season, this disappointing unit really appeared to reach its breaking point without T.J. Watt, giving up 245 yards in the first half. A group that was overly reliant on takeaways (27 total) to sustain it can’t afford the kind of breakdowns it had Monday, such as the coverage lapse on Kincaid’s first-quarter touchdown.
Bills defense
No reason to sound the alarm about the overall performance. But the loss of linebacker Terrel Bernard might prove insurmountable for a unit that has already lost linebacker Matt Milano, cornerback Tre’Davious White and cornerback Tre’Davious White. The middle of that defense could be mighty vulnerable against the Chiefs and, if necessary, the Texans or Ravens – all teams that know how to attack that area of the field.
Baltimore Ravens
Yes, the AFC’s No. 1 seed won’t have to face the divisional rival that toppled it twice this year, albeit with one of those victories coming in a Week 18 game that didn’t feature Lamar Jackson and many other starters. But the Steelers still would have proved to be a more favorable matchup than the upstart Houston Texans, who have come a long way since Baltimore’s Week 1 walkover in C.J. Stroud’s first professional game.
Taylor Swift
The pop superstar probably never thought her travel itinerary would include a January jaunt to Buffalo. The things we do for love!
-Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
What’s next for Steelers coach Mike Tomlin?
Monday was Mike Tomlin’s first game as the NFL’s (current) longest-tenured coach after the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick went their separate ways last week. Tomlin has led the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2007.
However speculation is building about his future in the Steel City. NBC reported Saturday that Tomlin, who’s under contract for 2024 but not beyond, and his family will assess his future after the season. Former Steelers DB Ryan Clark, now an NFL analyst for ESPN who played for Tomlin, urged him to leave the organization last month, suggesting it was time for a fresh start. Current players, including S Minkah Fitzpatrick, have been critical of youngsters on the roster while suggesting many haven’t lived up to Tomlin’s famous mantra, “The standard is the standard.”
In 17 seasons, Tomlin has a 181-109-2 record and has guided the Steelers to Super Sunday twice, including a victory in Super Bowl 43 following the 2008 season. It remains to be seen if there will be an 18th season by Pittsburgh’s three rivers.
Tomlin cut his postgame press conference short when asked about his future. – Nate Davis
Highlights from the Bills’ win against the Steelers:
Bills 31, Steelers 17: Buffalo scores crucial touchdown
Minkah Fitzpatrick probably wants a play back after a failed tackle led to a Bills touchdown.
On second-and-nine, Josh Allen threw the ball to Khalil Shakir, who was immediately met by the All-Pro safety for what would have been a two-yard gain. But Fitzpatrick failed to wrap up and take down the wide receiver, who spun around and scampered all the way downfield for a 17-yard touchdown.
There is just over six minutes left in the game. – Victoria Hernandez
Bills 24, Steelers 17: Pittsburgh pulls closer with TD
It’s not over yet in Buffalo.
The Steelers, once trailing 21-0, have pulled to within one score.
Mason Rudolph led the Steelers on a long 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that took six minutes off the clock. Pittsburgh scored when Rudolph found Calvin Austin in the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown catch.
The Steelers trail 24-17 with 10:32 remaining in the game.
Rudolph has bounced back since a second quarter interception. The quarterback is now up to 187 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception. – Tyler Dragon
Snowball nearly hits diving Steelers WR
The Buffalo Bills had decent coverage on Steelers WR George Pickens. That didn’t stop a member of Bills Mafia from trying to insert himself or herself into the action.
A fan appeared to fire a snowball onto the field as QB Mason Rudolph targeted Pickens in the end zone. The toss from the stands reached the end zone and almost hit Pickens.
The Steelers scored a few plays later to make it 24-17 with roughly 10 minutes left in the fourth. – Chris Bumbaca
Steelers 24, Bills 10 (END OF THIRD QUARTER)
The third quarter ended with both teams trading field goals over the course of the 15 minutes.
The Bills had the ball for nearly nine minutes, including a field-goal drive that went for more than seven minutes. Running back James Cook is up to 66 rushing yards on 15 carries.
In the final minute of the quarter, George Pickens had plays of 19 and 14 yards, respectively, to move Pittsburgh into the opponent’s half of the field.
Buffalo is 15 minutes away from hosting the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC divisional round. – Chris Bumbaca
Bills 24, Steelers 10: Buffalo gets field goal to further lead
After the Steelers scored 10 unanswered points, the Bills finally responded with a 45-yard field goal.
Midway through the third quarter, James Cook started the drive with an 11-yard run and a series of other bursts. Josh Allen had a 12-yard pass to Stefon Diggs, but then Buffalo stalled and had to settle for the kick.
Tyler Bass nailed the 45-yard score after having his previous attempt in the game blocked.
The drive took up 7:18 of the clock. – Victoria Hernandez
Bills 21, Steelers 10: Chris Boswell remains perfect in playoffs
The Steelers have now scored 10 unanswered points.
A 19-yard catch by Diontae Johnson put the Steelers in Buffalo territory. Pittsburgh got all the way down to the Bills 22-yard line but had to settle for a 40-yard field goal by Chris Boswell.
The Bills still lead despite Pittsburgh’s string of unanswered points.
Boswell has made all 17 of his field goal attempts in the postseason.
Buffalo Bills’ Terrel Bernard carted off
A Buffalo Bills defense that’s been riddled with injuries all season apparently lost another stalwart Monday.
LB Terrel Bernard, the team’s leading tackler in 2023 (143, along with 6.5 sacks) was carted off the field early in the third quarter with what appeared to be a lower-leg injury. Bernard, a second-year player out of Baylor, had made quite an impact after All-Pro LB Matt Milano was lost to a season-ending leg injury in October.
Bernard had also served as the “green dot” player who relayed the defensive play calls. LB A.J. Klein, fresh off the practice squad, will likely continue taking on a larger role. – Nate Davis
What happens when Josh Allen turns the ball over?
Turnovers have become the all too-frequent bugaboo for Bills QB Josh Allen, who led the AFC individually with 22 giveaways in 2023 (only Commanders QB Sam Howell had more with 23). Buffalo was 3-0 this season when Allen had a clean sheet but 8-6 otherwise.
That also aligns with his career at large. In 93 NFL regular-season starts, Allen is 39-26 when he commits at least one turnover but 24-4 when he doesn’t. He’s 3-1 in postseason when protecting the ball but 1-3 otherwise.
So far, so good against Pittsburgh. – Nate Davis
Bills 21, Steelers 7 (END OF SECOND QUARTER)
The Steelers came alive toward the end of the second quarter. Just before the two-minute warning, Pittsburgh blocked Buffalo’s 49-yard field goal attempt and turned it into their first points of the game: a 10-yard pass from Mason Rudolph to Diontae Johnson.
The Bills also scored a touchdown in the quarter, a 52-yard run from quarterback Josh Allen.
Bills receiver Stefon Diggs was shaken up late in the quarter after a catch where he was tackled by Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. After lying on the turf for a few moments, he got up and walked off the field.
Rudolph is 8-for-16 for 102 yards, the score and an interception while Allen has gone 15-for-21 for 146 passing yards and three total touchdowns. Buffalo’s quarterback has only gone three games this season without throwing a pick.
The Bills are up 21-7 going into halftime. – Victoria Hernandez
Bills 21, Steelers 7: Pittsburgh gets on scoreboard after FG block
The Steelers finally got on the scoreboard.
The Steelers offense took advantage after their special teams unit blocked a 49-yard field goal.
Quarterback Mason Rudolph completed three passes during a five-play touchdown drive that was capped off by 10-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Diontae Johnson. The touchdown cut Pittsburgh’s deficit to 21-7 with 1:39 remaining in the second quarter. The catch was Johnson’s first of the game.
Pittsburgh’s offense had struggled up until its touchdown drive, but the score could provide them momentum going into the second half. – Tyler Dragon
Bills 21, Steelers 0: Josh Allen sets records with 52-yard TD
Stay out of Josh Allen’s way.
Normally a sage piece of advice for defenders. And the Steelers are having no trouble doing it.
On 3rd-and-7 near midfield, the Bills quarterback dropped back and scanned the field. He didn’t see anything that satisfied his appetite. He did see lots of green. He secured a first down – and lots more.
Allen ran over a defender, split two more, and darted 52 yards for a touchdown. It was the longest run of his career and it marked the longest run in Bills playoff history. – Chris Bumbaca
Bills snag interception, second turnover of game
The Bills got their second turnover of the game in the second quarter.
On Pittsburgh’s first trip to the red zone — and their first trip into Buffalo territory — they were facing second-and-goal from the 4. Mason Rudolph threw to Diontae Johnson in the end zone and Kaiir Elam stepped in front of the receiver to snag the interception.
It’s Buffalo’s second turnover of the day after they recovered a fumble in the first quarter. – Victoria Hernandez
Bills 14, Steelers 0 (END OF FIRST QUARTER)
The AFC East champion Buffalo Bills came out of the gates stampeding Monday, taking a 14-0 lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday afternoon in a game delayed by inclement lake effect weather — which also required a Herculean effort to get Highmark Stadium ready for play. But QB Josh Allen was ready to play, throwing for 81 yards and a pair of touchdowns to his tight ends, Dalton Kincaid and Dalton Knox.
Meanwhile, the Steelers couldn’t get out of their own way. They ran 12 total plays over the span of their first four drives, resulting in three punts and a fumble by WR George Pickens that led to Buffalo’s second TD. It certainly hasn’t helped that Pittsburgh has been without its best player, OLB T.J. Watt, who is inactive with a knee injury. – Nate Davis
Bills challenge ruling but it is upheld
One thing the Steelers couldn’t afford was turning over the ball. They nearly did it twice in the game’s first 14 minutes.
Tight end Pat Freiermuth was wide open and caught a pass from Mason Rudolph. Freiermuth turned upfield near the Bills sideline and had plenty of room. Bills cornerback Christian Benford upended Freiermuth, and the ball came loose before his lower body hit the ground. However, the officials on the field ruled that Buffalo linebacker Baylon Spector didn’t recover the ball with full possession before his body touched the white out-of-bounds line.
The Bills challenged the play and it was upheld. Buffalo lost its first timeout in pursuit of possession. – Chris Bumbaca
Bills 14, Steelers 0: Bills awarded fumble recovery after challenge, turn it into touchdown
Buffalo had the first turnover of the game and turned it into another touchdown.
On the first play of a Steelers drive, Mason Rudolph threw the ball to George Pickens. The pass was initially ruled incomplete, but the Bills challenged it.
Upon review, the referees ruled that Pickens did indeed catch the ball and then fumbled it as he was falling. Taron Johnson recovered the ball for Buffalo.
On the next play, Josh Allen lobbed the ball downfield for Dalton Kincaid, who brought in the catch for a 29-yard touchdown. And the Bills Mafia threw snow in the air in celebration. – Victoria Hernandez
Bills fans celebrate touchdown with snow
Buffalo opened up the scoring on Monday with a touchdown, and the crowd had fun celebrating.
With so much snow still in the stands, Buffalo fans threw snow up in the air to celebrate, creating quite the scene inside Highmark Stadium. – Jordan Mendoza
Bills 7, Steelers 0: Buffalo scores on its first drive
The Bills had no issue taking their opening offensive possession and churning down the field with ease.
Quarterback Josh Allen completed all five of his passes for 56 yards, culminating with a nine-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dawson Knox, who slipped through a soft spot in Pittsburgh’s zone on the left side of the field.
All 10 of Buffalo’s plays on the series produced positive yardage and four of those plays went for at least 10 yards. The biggest play came on a first down and was a 20-yard pass to tight end Dalton Kincaid, who had streaked across the field. – Lorenzo Reyes
Game’s first possession ends in Steelers punt
The Steelers got the action going on Monday with a 16-yard pass from Mason Rudolph to Jaylen Warren for a first down, but not much else.
Najee Harris ran for two yards and then Rudolph threw two incomplete passes and Pittsburgh was forced to punt on the first drive of the game. – Victoria Hernandez
