After getting in their own way in the first half, the Bills steamrolled the Steelers in the second half en route to a 26-7 win.
Trailing 7-3 at halftime, the Bills opened the second half with two quick touchdowns set up by turnovers. The first was Christian Benford's fumble return for a score after Joey Bosa strip-sacked Aaron Rodgers on Pittsburgh's first play of the third quarter.
The Bills' second score off a turnover occurred moments later when Josh Allen hit wideout Keon Coleman for a touchdown that was set up by Benford's interception of Mason Rudolph, who briefly replaced Rodgers.
Buffalo made history in the second half. Allen scored his 76th career touchdown run, breaking Cam Newton's NFL record by a quarterback. The Bills -- despite missing several offensive starters that included two on the offensive line -- ran for 249 yards, the most yards ever allowed by a Steelers' defense at Acrisure Stadium. James Cook overcame an early fumble by rumbling for 144 yards on 32 carries.
While Buffalo (8-4) is back in the winner's circle, Pittsburgh (6-6) has lost two straight games and five of its last seven. Sunday was another brutal showing for a Steelers offense that gained just 166 yards and possessed the ball for less than 19 minutes.
Here's a closer look at how the Bills got it done.
The game was completely turned on its head on the first play of the second half. Benson's score off of Bosa's strip-sack was the first of Buffalo's 23 unanswered points in the second half.
Pittsburgh's next drive also ended with Benford's hands on the ball after he snared in Rudolph's pass. His pick -- in addition to a 31-yard run by Cook -- set up Allen's backbreaking touchdown pass to Coleman that extended Buffalo's lead to 16-7.
Allen's touchdown pass to Coleman was a thing of beauty. On fourth-and-goal, Allen pump faked before hitting a wide open Coleman, who managed to get by Kyle Dugger and Asante Samuel, who was recently signed by the Steelers.
After going 6 of 12 with an interception in the first half, Allen was 7 of 11 through the air in the second half with two total touchdowns.
You'd be hard-pressed to find a more dominant quarter than Buffalo's bludgeoning of Pittsburgh in the third quarter. During those 15 minutes, Buffalo outscored the Steelers 13-0 while forcing two turnovers and scoring touchdowns on both sides of the ball. At that point, Cook had already rushed for 135 yards and the Bills had already amassed 218 rushing yards as a team.
Allen now has more rushing touchdowns than anyone in NFL history after scoring from 8 yards out on third-and-goal. He has 13 more rushing touchdowns than Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who has the third-most rushing touchdowns in league history among quarterbacks.
As a team, Buffalo set the record for the most rushing yards in Pittsburgh by an opposing team since the Steelers started playing at Acrisure Stadium, which opened in 2001. In addition to Cook, the Bills' rushing attack also received a boost from Ray Davis, who picked up 62 yards on nine carries.
Cook, who entered the game as the NFL's season-leading rusher, also led the Bills in receiving yards during Sunday's win.
As alluded to earlier, the Bills largely beat themselves in the first half. They committed several costly penalties on both sides of the ball and committed two turnovers. Pittsburgh parlayed Buffalo's second turnover into their only score of the game, a shortly touchdown run by Jaylen Warren.
After falling behind 7-0, Buffalo offered a foreshadowing of what was going to come in the second half by ending the first half with a 16-play drive that led to their first points of the night, a short field goal by Matt Prater.
It's safe to say that Steelers fans have reached their breaking point. Fans actually booed during the playing of "Renegade," which is usually a rallying cry for both the the fans and the team. There were also "Fire Tomlin!" chants during the second half, another sign of the fan base's frustration.
It's not an overreaction to state that this is one of the ugliest regular season losses of the Mike Tomlin era. The Steelers gained just 10 first downs, had 166 total yards and were completely run over in the second half. Sunday marked the seventh time this year that the Steelers' offense failed to generate over 300 total yards.
If there's a silver lining, it's that the Steelers will be in first place in the AFC North if they can defeat the Ravens next week in Baltimore.
Sheer dominance by the Bills in the second half. They outscore Steelers 23-0 in the second half en route to a 26-7 win. Two records were set in the second half, including their own 50-year-old record for the most rushing yards gained in Pittsburgh as the opposing team.
Buffalo has just set the record for the most rushing yards by a visiting team in Acrisure Stadium, which has been around since 2001. Bills are up to 244 yards and counting.
The Steelers finally find some rhythm on offense, but the drive ends with Greg Rousseau stuffing Gainwell on fourth-and-2 from the Bills' seven-yard line. The Bills take over on downs with 10:11 left.
Josh Allen was carried into the end zone on third down for a TD. That's his 76th rushing TD, breaking Cam Newton's career record for quarterbacks. The score gives Buffalo a 23-7 lead with 14:08 left.
Buffalo will start the fourth quarter with a first-and-goal situation and a 16-7 lead. Buffalo dominated the third quarter, scoring two touchdowns and out-gaining the Steelers 134-14. I'm not kidding, that was one of the worst quarters in modern day Steelers history.
The Bills are bludgeoning the Steelers on the ground. Cooks has 135 yards on 25 carries and the Bills have 218 yards on 40 carries. And we still have a quarter to play.
Aaron Rodgers returned for Pittsburgh's next drive, which was a quick three-and-out. The Steelers can't get anything done on the ground, and their receivers can't get any separation from Buffalo's defensive backs. This thing could get ugly fast.
Allen makes an incredible pump fake before hitting a wide open Keon Coleman in the back of the end zone for a score, the Bills' first on offense today. Bills miss point after, so score remains 16-7 midway through the third quarter.
Cam Heyward penalized on the score for taunting Allen. The 15 yards will be assessed on the kickoff.
Bills have now scored 14 points off turnover to Pittsburgh's 7.
Cook well over 100 yards now after a 31-yard scamper gives Buffalo a first-and-goal. Bills are up to 167 yards on the ground.
Rodgers is on the sideline FWIW, not sure if he is coming back in or not. Mason is looking at the tablet while Rodgers is watching the action from the sideline. My guess is Rudolph is coming back.
Christian Benford picks off Rudolph just moments after returning Rodgers' fumble for a touchdown. Rudolph said the ball and Benford made a great catch on the sideline while staying in bounds.
Bills up 10-7 and have a golden chance to extend their lead now.
Mason Rudolph is in for Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers clearly compromised after taking that shot. He remained on the ground for several moments and as alluded to earlier, has a gash on his nose.
Joey Bosa strip sacks Rodgers and the fumble is returned for a TD by Christian Benford, giving the Bills their first lead. Rodgers suffered a cut to his nose on the play.
Score: Steelers 7, Bills 3
Total yards: Bills, 176-87
Third down: Bills 5-9, Steelers 2-5
First downs: Bills, 12-6
Turnovers: Bills 2, Steelers 0
Points off turnovers: Steelers, 7
TOP: Bills, 20:14
Allen: 6-12, 51 yards, 0 sacks
Rodgers: 6-13, 54 yards, 0 sacks
Cook: 81 yards on 17 carries, fumble
Allen: 16 yards on five carries
Warren: 20 yards and a TD on seven carries
Gainwell: 2 carries, 13 yards; 1 catch, 17 yards
Buffalo scores to make it a 7-3 game, but they were going to try to tie the score on a fourth-and-3 from Pittsburgh's four-yard-line. A false start penalty, however, forced Buffalo to have to settle for a FG.
Meanwhile, Patrick Queen sustained a hip injury on that drive and is questionable to return.
Cam Heyward and Allen continue to jaw at each other. It's been going on the entire drive.
Meanwhile, we have an injury timeout after Patrick Queen pointed to the Steelers' sideline before laying on the ground with an injury.
While it hasn't been easy, the Bills are slowly moving down the field as we get closer to the end of the first half. Allen hits Ty Johnson for nine yard on third-and-8 to keep the chains moving. Cook then goes for seven on the next play as the Bills are threatening to tie the game.
Allen has struggled in the air, but he's done a good job on the ground while avoiding Pittsburgh's pass rush. He's taking a ton of big hits, including a late hit by Patrick Queen after Allen had already started sliding. That led to a scrum between the two teams.
Warren pushes it home from a yard out to give the Steelers a 7-0 lead midway through the second quarter. Gainwell's 17-yard catch set up the score.
Pittsburgh's lead is the result of its two forced turnovers. The Steelers essentially live off of turnovers; they had five against New England in Week 3 and six during their Week 9 win over the Colts.
Bills should get good field position though after DK Metcalf was flagged for unnecessary roughness on Warren's TD.
James Cook lost control of the ball and its pounced on by Nick Herbig, who made the initial contact with Cook.
Steelers offense immediately responds with a 14-yard completion from Rodgers to Metcalf and a 17-yard catch-and-run by Gainwell. Steelers now inside the Bills' 10-yard-line.
Rodgers and Calvin Austin are unable to connect on third down for a second time today, setting up Pittsburgh's third punt.
Boo birds are out in Pittsburgh, and understandably so. Pittsburgh's offense has been in a rut with Rodgers under center since their Week 7 loss to the Bengals roughly six weeks ago.
You wonder if Tomlin would ever consider giving Rudolph a look. It doubt he will, but if Rodgers and Pittsburgh's offense continues to struggle, it's a question that needs to be asked at some point.
We're still looking for our first score as the second quarter begins. The Steelers will start the second in Buffalo territory after Warren ripped off a 12-yard run on first down.
Steelers gained just 30 yards on 11 plays in the opening quarter and were 1-3 on third down. The Bills had 91 yards on 17 plays, but had the game's only turnover so far and were 1-4 on third down in the opening quarter.
There was a clear miscommunication between Rodgers and Roman Wilson on third-and-4. Rodgers appeared to overthrow Wilson (who based on his body language appears he was overthrown), but Rodgers' expression after the throw makes it appear that he was expecting Wilson to do something else.
Regardless, we still have no score as we enter the final two minutes of the third quarter.
A second false start penalty in as many drives by backup G Alec Anderson contributed to the Bills punting after those long runs by Ray Davis.
Bills haven't tried anything deep downfield yet. They're basically leaning on the run and short passes from Allen, who has attempted just two passes to a receiver through two possessions.
Ray Davis rips off consecutive runs of 15 and 12 yards as Buffalo crossed misfield. Nick Herbig stuffs him for a two-yard loss on his third straight carry, though.
It's clear, though, that the Bills are confident that they can have success on the ground against Pittsburgh's defense.
After getting a first down, the Steelers have to punt after Rodgers and Calvin Austin III can't catch Rodgers' deep throw on third-and-long. It was a low-percentage throw that a taller wideout may have had a better chance catching.
The drive started head south when DB Christian Benford drilled Jaylen Warren for a two-yard loss on first down after the first-down run. Benford came through untouched after Jonnu Smith failed to pick him up.
Rodgers goes play-action and hits DK Metcalf for an eight-yard gain on first down. As expected, Steelers operating out of the pistol in the early goings.
Brandin Echols picks off Allen's third down pass intended for Gabe Davis. Echols has been one of the Steelers' most underrated free agent acquisitions. He had a huge pick in the end zone during Pittsburgh's Week 3 win over the Patriots.
Allen hits newcomer Brandin Cooks for a 13-yard gain on third-and-7. Cooks beats new Pittsburgh starting CB James Pierre.
James Cook goes for 18 on the game's first play. He was untouched the first 15 yards before being pulled down, much to the chagrin of Mike Tomlin, who was yelling on the sideline.
Largely, I'm picking the Steelers because of the Bills' struggles this season against the run. If Gainwell and Warren can take advantage of that, the Steelers should be able to eke out a close win in what will likely be a low-scoring, defensive game.
Given the wind and Rodgers' injury, the running game is going to be paramount today for the Steelers. Conversely, it'll also be important for the Steelers' defense to contain James Cook, who entered today as the NFL's second-leading rusher.
Pittsburgh's running game has received a spark from Kenneth Gainwell, who had 122 all-purpose yards last week that included a 55-yard run that set up a Jaylen Warren TD.
Today, Gainwell and Warren will be facing a Buffalo defense that is 30th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed, is last in rushing touchdowns allowed and 31st in average yards per carry allowed.
While I initially thought it would be Brandin Echols, it will in fact be James Pierre starting at CB in place of Darius Slay in place of Darius Slay, who was a healthy scratch.
Pierre, a longtime backup, has played considerably well this season, which has prompted questions in Pittsburgh about whether or not he will eventually be interested into the starting lineup. That day appears to be today.
