The Pittsburgh Steelers took the field after a 27 hour delay to their game because of a horrible blizzard in Buffalo. We got the opening kickoff put together a small drive that ended at our own 49. A horrible punt by Pressley Harvin made it to the 21 yard line not nearly where you’d like a kick from that yard line. Buffalo’s drive was flawless as they only faced 3rd down once with only a yard to gain. On the next drive the Steelers handed off twice to Harris gaining three yards both times. Facing a third and four Mason Rudolph sailed a ball over Diontae Johnson’s head leading to an uneventful three and out. The defense knuckled up on the next drive and forced a three and out. Mason connected with Pickens on the first play of the next drive but while stretching for a first fumbled the ball. One play later the Bills went up 14-0 with Josh Allen’s second touchdown pass. After a pair of three and outs the Steelers put a drive together that would span 86 yards with some big catches out of Pat Freiermuth and nice runs from Jaylen Warren. Everyone’s favorite third string quarterback telegraphed his pass to Diontae Johnson at the goal line and Kaiir Elam who’d been a sieve all drive picked him off. The Bills then drove down the field and got to a third and seven at their own 48. Perfect coverage and a nice rush forced Josh Allen from the pocket. Allen took it down field and got the first down. In Kenny Pickett fashion Josh Allen pulled up like he was going to slide only to see the defense back off and abort said slide reached the end zone to put the Bills up 21-0. After another fruitless drive the Bills moved the ball down the field and looked to add three more points. On a freezing cold day a kicker needs to keep the ball low to get it through the wind and air. Nick Herbig ceased on this opportunity and blocked the kick. On a short field the Steelers used six plays to get the ball in the end zone before half time. 21-7 at the break.
The Bills got the ball coming out of the break. The defense stymied them and forced a three and out. Needing points the Steelers moved the ball to Buffalo’s 22 but couldn’t get to the end zone. Chris Boswell’s perfect post season kicking streak continued as he add three from 40 yards out. The Bills moved the ball effectively on the next drive and while the NFL is focused on safety it becomes clear sometimes that they only mean offensive players. In a third and nine during this drive Josh Allen connected with Stephon Diggs. While tackling him Joey Porter Jr got hit from behind by Connor McGovern. Porter did not see the field again as he left with a concussion. The Bills went back up two touchdowns as Tyler Bass connected on a 45 yard field goal. The Steelers took the next drive into the fourth quarter. A period where they had snatched four wins that looked like defeats this season (4 wins during the season while trailing going into the fourth quarter). Mason Rudolph led the team down the field and hit Calvin Austin in the end zone to get the Steelers within a touchdown. The defense looked to get the ball back to the offense to tie up the game. On a second and five, Allen had no options and scrambled. He did not reach the marker and slid short. Not wanting a repeat of earlier and just assuring that Allen was down Myles Jack came down on him (no harder than Joe Flacco had been hit two days earlier, which was not flagged) and received a flag for unnecessary roughness. Deflated the defense gave up a score two plays later. 31-17. The game was over at that point. I’m not going to blame the refs but the inconsistency needs to be fixed. It’s not their fault. You cannot be a billion-dollar industry and justify that the people in charge of safekeeping the game have second jobs.
James