Bills vs. Steelers Notebook: 3 Takeaways From Buffalo’s Playoff Win
It came a day later than expected, but the Buffalo Bills got a hard-earned 31-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card round on Monday at Highmark Stadium.
Josh Allen put together another solid performance, completing 21 of 30 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns. He was also the team's second-leading rusher, running for 74 yards, including a 52-yard score that lit the stadium and social media ablaze.
The Bills' defense had moments when it bent but got clutch stops and forced two turnovers that led to touchdowns. Overall, it was a complete performance by Buffalo against a feisty Steelers team en route to its fourth straight AFC divisional round appearance, where they'll face the Kansas City Chiefs at home on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Here are three takeaways from the Bills' win over Pittsburgh.
Josh Allen runs through a Steelers defender.
© Kirby Lee, USA TODAY
Josh Allen Puts On His Cape Again:
When Allen is making plays with his arms and legs and isn't making bone-headed mistakes, it's a sight to behold.
And for all of the times Buffalo has needed Allen to bail the team out, he has seemingly come through more times than not. No play showed how special Allen can be when firing on all cylinders than his 52-yard yard run that gave the Bills a 21-0 lead with 7:01 left in the first half.
Allen broke into the second level of the Steelers' defense, stopped and then ran over a defender as he rumbled his way to the end zone.
If Allen can continue to play under control and make big plays, this could be the year Buffalo finally breaks through.
Injuries On Defense Mounting:
The Bills' defense has managed to overcome injuries and remain one of the best in the NFL, but they're nearing the point of no return.
The latest injury to an already ravaged unit came in the third quarter when linebacker Terrel Bernard had to be carted off the field with an air cast on his right ankle after making a tackle on Steelers receiver George Pickens. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Bernard was initially diagnosed with a sprained ankle, and his X-rays were negative. He also said Bernard will get an MRI on Tuesday.
Regardless, the optics of Bernard having to be carted off the field don't bode well for his availability for Sunday. Bernard was one of the league's more underrated linebackers in the regular season, as he had 143 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits and 6.5 sacks.
Bernard missing any time would be devastating for a defense already without cornerback Tre'Davious White and linebacker Matt Milano for the season. Linebacker Baylon Spector and cornerbacks Christian Benford and Taron Johnson also had to exit the game with injuries.
Buffalo went into the game without safety Taylor Rapp and cornerback Rasul Douglas due to injuries as well. If the Bills are going to continue to advance in the playoffs, they need to get their defense healthy.
Bills Are Back Where They Started:
When the Bills had their backs against the wall coming out of their bye week, their first test was against the Chiefs, and they won 20-17 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 10.
Now, the two perennial playoff teams will meet again with a spot in the AFC Championship Game on the line. This marks the third time in four years the two teams have met in the playoffs and the second straight meeting in the divisional round. Kansas City won each of those two meetings, the second of which was a dramatic 42-36 overtime win in 2022.
This is the first time Buffalo has been the home team against Kansas City in the playoffs, and this seems like its best chance to upset the reigning Super Bowl champions. If the Bills are going to turn this into a legit rivalry, they have to beat the Chiefs in the playoffs.
It's also another chapter in the Allen and Patrick Mahomes saga, though, the same point could be made about the Bills quarterback needing a win over his compatriot when it matters most for it to become a rivalry between two of the game's best at the most important position in football.
Regardless, any chance Allen and Mahomes can meet in the playoffs, it's guaranteed fireworks. And if Buffalo is going to exorcise its playoff demons, it'll have to continue its run against the same team it all began with when it was on the outside looking in at the playoffs.
