Overcoming Adversity, Bills Advance to Host Chiefs
The Buffalo Bills overcame yet another obstacle on Monday night, shaking off snow and the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers en route to a convincing 31-17 victory at Highmark Stadium. Behind an electric performance from quarterback Josh Allen, the Bills advanced to host the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday in the divisional round.
Allen threw for over 300 yards on a slippery field and added nearly 100 more on the ground, including an incredible rushing score that electrified the home crowd bundled up for winter football. The Bills quarterback made play after play to lift his team to its third postseason victory in four years.
“It was tough, but that’s playoff football,” Allen said after the win. “Our team did a great job handling the conditions and we’re excited for the chance to play at home again next week.”
The final score did not indicate the level at which Buffalo dominated the Steelers. The Bills outgained Pittsburgh 424-306 and held the ball for over 37 minutes in the game. After spotting the Steelers an early touchdown, Buffalo ripped off 31 unanswered points behind Allen’s mastery and a suffocating defense.
“We struggled to move the ball tonight, and the Bills made us pay,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “Allen was just too much for us out there.”
Allen Puts Team on Back in Adverse Conditions
The scene at kickoff was picturesque, with enormous snowflakes coating the field. But winter conditions quickly turned treacherous, making footing and visibility difficult for both offenses. Accustomed to such weather, Buffalo appeared unfazed. The same could not be said for Pittsburgh.
Behind Allen’s creative scrambles and pinpoint downfield throws, the Bills engineered three long first half scoring drives to take control. A rushing score from Allen’s backup Nyheim Hines extended Buffalo’s lead to 24-7 just before halftime, abruptly ending any hopes Pittsburgh had of an upset. Allen continued dealing after the break, capping another lengthy drive by plowing through three Steelers defenders en route to the end zone early in the fourth quarter. The highlight-reel seven-yard run essentially slammed the door on the Steelers’ season.
“I don’t know how he does it sometimes,” said Bills receiver Stefon Diggs of his quarterback’s performance. “That run was unbelievable. He put us all on his back.”
Allen extended a number of plays with his mobility, constantly frustrating defenders trying to wrangle him down on the chewed up turf. He averaged nearly 10 yards per carry while rushing for 92 yards, supplementing his 324-yard, three-touchdown passing outing. The Bills put on an offensive clinic given the conditions, embarrassingly running over 100 plays compared to just 48 for Pittsburgh. Allen was the conductor, delivering strikes and demoralizing the Steelers defense snap after snap.
“My teammates made some unbelievable plays out there for me,” Allen deflected after the game. “It was a total team win.”
| Josh Allen Stat Line | |
|---|---|
| Completions | 24/31 |
| Passing Yards | 324 |
| Passing TDs | 3 |
| Rushes | 10 |
| Rushing Yards | 92 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 |
| Total TDs | 4 |
Buffalo Defense Clamps Down
While Allen stole the show on offense, Buffalo’s defense quietly dominated the Steelers. After surrendering an early touchdown, the Bills surrendered just 10 points the rest of the way while forcing a pair of turnovers. Star pass rusher Von Miller came up with a strip sack of Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett just before halftime, setting up Hines’ touchdown run on the ensuing possession. Cornerback Taron Johnson then picked off Pickett on the opening drive of the second half. The takeaway snuffed out Pittsburgh’s initial momentum and allowed Buffalo’s offense to march 94 yards for Allen’s mesmerizing touchdown scramble. Those two critical plays tilted the game for good in Buffalo’s favor.
The Bills defense lived in Pittsburgh’s backfield, sacking Pickett three times and hurrying him on numerous other dropbacks. Miller, Greg Rousseau, and A.J. Epenesa formed a nightmarish rotation off the edges. Buffalo also took away the Steelers’ top weapon, smothering rookie receiver George Pickens to just two catches for 12 yards on six targets. Cornerback Tre’Davious White blanketed Pickens and complimented Buffalo’s fierce pass rush. Pittsburgh could find no answers for the two-headed defensive monster it faced all night.
“We made too many mistakes across the board,” said Pickett, who managed just 17 completions on 31 attempts. “Playing a team that good, you can’t afford to let opportunities slip.”
Pittsburgh’s miscues proved fatal, and Buffalo pounced at every chance. The Bills have adopted an opportunistic mantra since last season’s playoff disappointment. That attitude shone through against the overmatched Steelers. When Allen engineered touchdown drives to open both halves, the nail went in the coffin for Pittsburgh’s season.
What This Win Means for the Bills
The victory was Buffalo’s first playoff win on home turf since 1996 and sets up another epic showdown with Kansas City next weekend. Bills Mafia has awaited that matchup since last year’s epic divisional round overtime loss to the Chiefs. Buffalo will have its chance at revenge Sunday with a trip to the AFC Championship Game on the line.
Fan energy reached a fever pitch after Monday night’s win over Pittsburgh. The raucous crowd braved wintery conditions to celebrate with their beloved Bills. Chants of “Let’s Go Buffalo!” rocked Highmark Stadium as jubilant players took a victory lap following the final whistle. Having endured disappointment in recent postseasons, Buffalo’s long-suffering supporters had good reason to savor this playoff triumph.
| AFC Divisional Round Matchup | |
| ————- |:————-:|
| [] Bills (14-3) | vs | [] Chiefs (14-3) |
Allen has already delivered this franchise farther than it’s been since the Jim Kelly era in the early 1990s. But his sights remain fixed on bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to Western New York for the first time. Monday night’s round one victory marked an important first step toward that elusive goal.
“We have the best fans in football and we want to keep this thing going for them,” said Allen after quieting the towel-waving Pittsburgh crowd that overran Buffalo’s small allotment of seats.
The Bills must channel the raucous energy inside Highmark Stadium this coming Sunday when Patrick Mahomes and the high-powered Chiefs arrive seeking a fifth straight AFC title game appearance. With an otherworldly talent in Allen and one of the league’s stingiest defenses, Buffalo appears well equipped for the monumental matchup.
Having already exercised their demons from last year’s epic playoff clash, the Bills believe this could finally be their year. But to prove as much, they must first conquer Mahomes and company on the way to the AFC crown. Their journey continues Sunday.
What’s Next
The Bills will spend this week preparing to host the Chiefs with a trip to the conference championship game on the line. Buffalo has won nine straight contests entering the divisional round showdown. Kansas City limped down the stretch but still poses an immense challenge behind All-Pro quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He will test Buffalo’s formidable pass defense like no other.
On offense, the Bills must continue riding Josh Allen’s hot streak. The gifted quarterback has Buffalo eying its first ever Super Bowl crown. Allen poses a unique challenge himself with his dual threat abilities that leave defensive coordinators sleepless. Containing his magic will be priority number one for Kansas City.
Plenty of star power will be on display Sunday, including electric receivers Stefon Diggs and Tyreek Hill. The speedsters could tilt the contest for their respective teams in what projects as a potential shootout. Buffalo’s defensive front must pressure Mahomes into mistakes while Allen handles the many weapons at the quarterback’s disposal.
An overflow crowd packed with crazed Bills fans will provide ideal conditions for the home team. Buffalo has proven close to unbeatable at Highmark Stadium since Allen’s arrival. He has never lost a home playoff start, further fueling confidence around this Bills squad.
The organization last hoisted the Lombardi Trophy nearly 30 years ago when Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas and Bruce Smith brought glory days to Orchard Park. This year’s supremely talented bunch hopes to walk that same championship path. Their first test comes Sunday against Andy Reid’s battle-tested Chiefs. Survive and advance remains the motto. But with Allen playing like football’s king, Buffalo envisions much grander possibilities ahead.
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