The Steelers put their defense on a short field early when the Bills ran the opening kickoff back 75 yards to set up at the Pittsburgh 24 yard line. Immediately QB Josh Allen lined his boys up in empty, looking to stretch out an already-thin Steelers secondary. Cole Beasley found 7 yards underneath, then Allen slung it out to WR Stefan Diggs to the flat but CB Cam Sutton was there with a strong open field tackle for a loss. On third down, DE Cam Heyward got a mitt into the passing lane to force a field goal. SCORE: 3-0 BUF
Matt Canada sprinkled his spice on the Steelers offense early: their first look from scrimmage bluffed an unbalanced line AND a jet sweep to Juju before feeding RB Najee Harris, whose first NFL carry went for 2 yards on a nice read and stick by MLB Tremaine Edmunds. WR Diontae Johnson got a nice block from the Steelers’ new starting RG Trai Turner on a screen and picked up 14. Ben fed Harris twice, then threw too tall for DJ on third down. Cue rookie P Presley Harvin III.
After a couple runs from RB Devin Singletary, LB Melvin Ingram had Allen dead to rights but couldn’t get him on the ground because he was being held by LT Dion Dawkins. Later in the drive, DE Chris Wormley, filling in for Stephon Tuitt, was held by C Mitch Morse. There was a deep shot to WR Emmanuel Sanders who had a step on S Jordan Norwood, but Allen’s throw had them both beat. Heyward had pressure on third down again, and drew a third holding call on the drive.
The next drive had a promising start: Ben found DJ on an out-route for 6. The next play Claypool tried the same route, but a press from CB Tre White kept him off schedule and unable to get to Roethlisberger’s pass. Ben emptied it out on third down but a blind side rush recorded a strip sack. Although the Steelers recovered, Claypool took a personal foul for pulling bodies off the pile. It was uphill sledding for Roethlisberger and co. in the early going.
Fortunately, that means the defense was coming downhill. DT Tyson Alualu knocked down a first down pass. After Allen picked up 9 on a keeper, the Bills busted out the flea flicker on 3rd and 1. Cam Sutton was not fooled and made a Joe Haden-esque diving break-up. Josh Allen was begging to get the ball back on fourth, but the coaches overruled him.
The Steelers reprised the funky motion they showed off on the first play of the game, this time faking the hand-off and winging it to WR Juju Smith-Schuster in the flat for 6. They faked the jet sweep to Juju again but again – like on the first play of the game – Harris only found 2 yards. On third down, Claypool motioned across the formation into a trips formation with Juju and DJ, they ran a spacing concept and found Juju on a corner for 12. Diontae appeared to be in a great deal of pain after the play, but was able to leave the field under his own power. WR James Washington came on to cover, and immediately took a screen pass for 9. The line failed to create a push for Najee and he lost 4 looking for the left edge, which should be the strong side of the line. On third down, Ben was looking for Claypool’s back shoulder, but the pass was broken up. Note: the defender clearly got there early, and he never turned to look for the pass.
The scouting report said Josh Allen is the Bills’ favorite rusher, so the boys came in ready to hunt the ball. Heyward tackled Josh Allen in pursuit and was able to force a fumble on the way down. Allen recovered, but the Steelers tackled catches and drew a couple incompletions to get another stop.
The offense was pinned at their 7 and couldn’t do anything with the ball, but encouragingly DJ returned to the field. After three-and-out and a particularly poor punt, the Bills were set up at the Pittsburgh 35. They ran a jet sweep on 1st down, but Ingram sniffed it out and dropped him for a 3-yard loss. On 2nd down, LB TJ Watt – the $80 Million Man – hit Allen as he threw and forced an incompletion. On 3rd down, TJ had his first strip sack of the season and (who else?) Heyward fell on the loose ball.
Unfortunately, the Steelers offense flat-out refused to help out the cause. Another three-and-out put the defense back on the field on short rest. They were pushed around for 3 third-down conversions, including a 3-yard QB sneak on 3rd and 1, en route to a 13-play, 91-yard TD drive. Ben was content to take a knee and go into halftime only down 10. HALFTIME SCORE: 10-0 BUF
The Steelers won the toss and elected to defer, so they received the second-half kickoff. Freiermuth gave a strong block and LG Kevin Dotson got out into the second level to spring Harris for 9, his first successful run of the day after finishing the first half with only 8 yards. Rookie C Kendrick Green did miss some time on this drive, but he returned a few plays later. RG Trai Turner showed some acumen as a pulling blocker which is encouraging for a veteran who is going to be asked to do a lot with this inexperienced unit. On 3rd and 4 Ben stepped around the rush and took a hit but found TE Eric Ebron for 19. The next play you’ll have to see to believe (check it out below). The Steelers settled for a FG, but finally the offense was showing signs of life.
The Bills had something going on their next drive: working against CB James Pierre, Diggs had grabs of 7 and 9 yards, and the Steelers allowed a couple 3rd down conversions. But after crossing into their own territory they stiffened. Hayward’s pressure forced a low throw on 1st down. On 2nd down TJ was standing in the middle of the field like a MLB and hunted down Singletary for a short gain. Heyward hit Allen as he threw on 3rd down, and on 4th down Cam Sutton made a wonderful adjustment to break up a deep ball that was affected by TJ and Ingram’s pressure.
The next drive featured a rarity for the Steelers: a 3rd and 1 conversion on the ground! With Najee that should be something we could get used to. The other top pick from the draft, Pat Freiermuth, chipped in a 24-yard pickup working wide open against Tremaine Edmunds across the middle. After a miscommunication between Ben and DJ, Claypool took and end-around all the way down to the 4-yard-line for 25 yards (see highlight below). Freiermuth had a key block, and Kendrick Green ran with him the whole way looking to help. Steelers settle for FG, SCORE 10-6 BUF
Cam Heyward continued his strong performance with another pass deflection, and Allen gave up a free down trying to rush a play in before the end of the 3rd quarter (pressure from DT Carlos Davis). Diggs picked up 7 on an out-route in front of Pierre on 2nd and 10. On 3rd and 3, FS Minkah Fitzpatrick stepped up into the gap to make a strong tackle saving the 1st down. The Bills kept the offense out there on 4th and 1, faked the QB sneak but made a RISKY backwards throw that was tackled immediately by Sutton for a 7-yard loss and another TO-on-downs.
Najee Harris wanted to make the most of the momentum his defense handed him. He had a run for 6, and then got loose for 18. Claypool drew a DPI penalty to set up the Steelers at the Buffalo 5. Looking for DJ in the back of the end zone, take a look at this catch: (SCORE: 13-10 PIT)
This drive was the crescendo for the Steelers defense. LB Devin Bush made a strong, quick tackle on Cole Beasley on 1st down. On 2nd down, Emanuel Sanders appeared to be loose but James Pierre had a great recovery to get a hand in and knock the ball out. On 3rd and 6, Cam Heyward stood Allen up for a sack, but the fun was just getting started. 4th and 12, punting from their own 23, S Miles Killebrew comes right up the middle for the block and MLB Ulysses Gilbert III – who saved a TD on the opening kick return – took it into the end zone for a TD. SCORE: 20-10 PIT
Soft defense allowed the Bills to drive deep into Steelers territory. On 3rd and goal Joe Haden read the screen to Singletary and got to him behind the LOS. Haden was even able to force a fumble, although it bounced harmlessly out of bounds. Buffalo kicked a 25-yard FG. SCORE 20-13 PIT
The Steelers got the ball back with 5:23 to play. Ben had a GREAT back-shoulder throw to Juju for 24 yards. Ben also had a scramble for 8 yards, and took a hit from behind after sliding that was not flagged. He then hooked up with Claypool for 14 and forced Buffalo to call their first TO with 3:00, but Chase was shaken up at the end of the play. Najee ran backwards on 1st down, but they bought the Bills’ second TO. 2nd down was another miscommunication with DJ which unfortunately stopped the clock. 3rd down was a screen out to Washington who was able to stay in bounds and force Buffalo to spend their last TO with 2:47. K Chris Boswell knocked through a 45-yard FG to reclaim a two-score lead. SCORE: 23-13 PIT
The Bills had one chance left, and they needed two scores. Allen was hit as he threw on 2nd and 3rd down and was unable to deliver a good ball. Sanders was able to convert on 4th and 10, but he stayed in bounds and the clock ran down to the two-minute warning. Ingram drew another holding but it was declined because TJ got home from the other side for a sack. After Buffalo took a second holding penalty they elected to take the FG and hope for a good bounce. SCORE: 23-16 PIT
The on-side recovery attempt was much prettier than the attempt they showed in the preseason. The front line let the ball go and blocked so Juju could sit underneath and make a clean recovery. It worked to perfection, and the Steelers sent their victory formation onto the field. FINAL SCORE: 23-16
Steely Cam 