Buffalo Bills win Wild Card match vs. Steelers, 31-17
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WHEC) – The Buffalo Bills held on for a 31-17 win over Pittsburgh and are headed to the Divisional Round to face Kansas City.
4th quarter takeaways
Jackson Roberts
That much-needed put away TD is just what Buffalo got. Aided by two Pittsburgh penalties including a 15-yard personal foul on Myles Jack, Khalil Shakir was somehow able to stay on his feet. Buffalo was able to close to the door defensively and move on to the AFC Divisional Round for the fourth straight year.
Mat Mlodzinski
If Josh Allen’s 52-yard rushing TD was the highlight of the first half, Khalil Shakir’s duck, dip, and dive in the 4th quarter might have topped it. The wide receiver made an unbelievable play to give the Bills a 14-point lead as they held on for the win.
3rd quarter takeaways
Jackson Roberts
Injuries continue to hit the Bills. They’re down to multiple backup linebackers after Terrel Bernard was ruled out for the game with an ankle. Buffalo was able to bring it back to a 2-TD game courtesy of a Tyler Bass FG but they could use one more stop and score to put this one away.
Mat Mlodzinski
Buffalo’s had chances to put this game away, but Pittsburgh hasn’t gone away, staying within two scores and with the ball around midfield going into the 4th quarter. Injuries have halted the game and for the Bills, it’s not looking good. Terrel Bernard was carted off the field with an ankle injury.
2nd quarter takeaways
Jackson Roberts
Water is wet, the sky is blue, and Josh Allen is a freak of nature. His 52-yard TD run, a career best, included all the elements of a classic Allen run: evading tackles, escaping one, and finding the end zone. On defense, Kaiir Elam’s interception to take away a Pittsburgh chance at a TD was huge. He briefly replaced Christian Benford and made the most of an opportunity. If you’re the coaching staff, it could inspire some confidence in the former 1st rounder.
Mat Mlodzinski
The Bills added to their lead in the 2nd quarter as Josh Allen can do no wrong. QB1 ended the half with 2 passing TDs and 1 rushing TD that went 52 yards. The All-Pro snub is making people remember exactly who he is.
1st quarter takeaways
Jackson Roberts
The Bills first offensive drive was one of perfection. Since then, they haven’t lost much of a beat. Meanwhile, the defense is picking up where it left off: forcing turnovers deep in opposing territory. On that same side of the ball, Buffalo has limited the Pittsburgh run game.
Mat Mlodzinski
It’s all Buffalo early in this one. Josh Allen was a perfect 5-for-5 on the Bills’ opening drive, ending in Dawson Knox’s 6th career playoff touchdown. The second touchdown went to Dawson Knox, as Allen is heating up despite the cold and Pittsburgh can’t move the ball enough to get any points.