By: Jared Villani, @JVillain10
SteelerNation.com
The Pittsburgh Steelers looked to bounce back after their first loss of the season last week as they faced off against the AFC East leading Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football. A back and forth, defensive showdown summarized the entirety of the first quarter, highlighted by big plays from Cam Sutton as well as an interception courtesy of Mike Hilton on Josh Allen's deep ball to Gabriel Davis.
GIMME THAT ????@MikeHilton_28 | Watch #PITvsBUF: https://t.co/fkKSw1378x pic.twitter.com/te02bWR2Xy
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 14, 2020
The second quarter kicked off nicely for Pittsburgh as Mike Hilton and Marcus Allen made a big play, forcing a fumble on Buffalo tight end Dawson Knox with Cam Sutton coming up with the recovery. The Steelers offense found themselves in great field position and all it took was three plays for Ben Roethlisberger to link up with James Washington for a 19-yard touchdown. It appears Roethlisberger has been looking for Washington in big moments and Washington has delivered time and time again. Steelers lead 7 to 0 after Chris Boswell's extra point conversion.
A thing of beauty!
Watch #PITvsBUF: https://t.co/fkKSw1378x | #ProBowlVote | @_BigBen7 | @JamesWashington pic.twitter.com/1fxA9Iq2Vl
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 14, 2020
Unfortunately Pittsburgh did not finish the first half on a high note as Tyler Bass converted a 34-yard field goal for Buffalo and Taron Johnson took advantage of a misfire from Roethlisberger for a 51-yard pick six. Despite their woes, a missed extra point conversion from Buffalo only left the Steelers down by a field goal as the first half concluded.
Pittsburgh's defense came out looking a bit sluggish to open the second half as wide receiver Stefon Diggs did a good deal of damage against the secondary and capped the drive off with a 19-yard touchdown connection from quarterback Josh Allen. Buffalo takes 16 to 7 lead over Pittsburgh.
As if the tides turning weren't enough of a concern for the Steelers, Josh Allen and Diggs continued to have their way with Pittsburgh's secondary connecting for 41 yards on the drive. Allen was firing on all cylinders after struggling in the first half and gave Buffalo a more comfortable lead as he found Gabriel Davis for a 13-yard touchdown. The Bills pulling away from Pittsburgh and not looking back as they climb to a 23 to 7 lead.
After several costly drops from Pittsburgh receivers, it was evident Roethlisberger was focusing his attention on reliable hands from James Washington and JuJu Smith-Schuster with the game on the line. With Washington making his mark early on, Smith-Schuster helped the Steelers get back into the game a bit with a three-yard touchdown catch. The two-point conversion attempt to Eric Ebron was good and Steelers only trail 15 to 23.
Two-point conversion is good!
Watch #PITvsBUF: https://t.co/fkKSw1378x | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/NXC3nyI0zw
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 14, 2020
Another field goal from Buffalo and a late interception from Big Ben put the nail in the coffin for the Steelers despite an impressive performance by the defense in the first half. The second half is where things really began to unravel for Pittsburgh and eventually lead to their second straight loss. A non-existent run game and failure to stop big plays were the Achilles heel for Pittsburgh in this matchup.
Pittsburgh Stat Leaders
Ben Roethlisberger 187 Yards Two Touchdown Passes Two Interceptions
James Conner 10 Rushes 18 Yards
JuJu Smith-Schuster 6 Receptions 55 Yards One Touchdown
Avery Williamson 11 Tackles
