Steelers Fall to Bills 26-15, 2 nd Straight Loss
Orchard Park, NY-The good news is that for the first time since the 2017 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers clinched a playoff spot because of the KC Chiefs beating the Miami Dolphins. But the bad news is that they were not able to get closer to clinching the AFC North Division title after falling 26-15 to the Buffalo Bills in an NBC Sunday Night Football matchup at New Era Stadium.
Final. pic.twitter.com/KD45sZMytB
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 14, 2020
“You know, just really not enough playmaking for us tonight. It’s really as simple as that.” Said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin “Particularly in the second half, in the beginning of the second half, I thought [Buffalo] heated up offensively, and we weren’t able to keep pace with them. He extended some plays. He being QB Josh Allen. He got outside the pocket some. We can’t have that.”
After taking a 7-0 lead off a 19-yard TD pass from QB Ben Roethlisberger to WR James
Washington, the Bills awoke and scored 24 unanswered points, 7 on an interception return by CB Taron Thompson which changed the momentum of the game. Only a late TD from
Roethlisberger to WR JuJu Smith Shuster (and 2-point conversion) kept this game from being a blowout. Allen finished the game passing for 238 yards, a TD, and an interception. WR Stefon Diggs truly stole the show as he caught 10 passes for 138 yards and a TD.
#LIVE: Coach Tomlin addresses the media following our game against Buffalo.@UPMC https://t.co/Q0A2r55y3b
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 14, 2020
The loss also dropped their record to 11-2 and are now in the 2 nd seed in the AFC. After starting a franchise-best 11-0, the Steelers are now on their first losing streak of the 2020 season. But if you look closer, you will also see a team that looks depleted and are suffering the effects of several injuries-especially on defense, as they took the field without CB Joe Haden, outside LB Bud Dupree, Inside LBs Vince Williams and Robert Spillaine.
In this game, the Steelers suffered a few more injuries: “We had (Guard) Matt Feiler go down with a pec. We had (Guard)Kevin Dotson go down with a pec, but such is life in the NFL.”-Said Tomlin.
This was the 3 rd consecutive game in which the Steelers offense failed to score at least 20 points. It’s not a bad thing when you win, but when you lose, it starts to become a concern “Obviously, we have to possess the ball better. We have to score more points on offense. It got tough as attrition set in.”-Said Tomlin.
#LIVE: Ben Roethlisberger addresses the media following our game against Buffalo.@UPMC https://t.co/0MzGo9TpJG
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) December 14, 2020
Roethlisberger finished the game with passing for 187 yards, 2 TDs and 2 Interceptions. RB
James Conner returned and rushed for 18 yards as the team rushed for 47, and Smith-Shuster caught 6 passes for 55 yards and the TD. But what was known as a high-powered offense, is now looking powerless and a need for a serious recharge, especially with 3 games left on the schedule.
“We have to win more possession downs and thus possess the ball more and give us more
opportunities.” Said Tomlin “The more snaps you get, the more opportunities you get to make some of the dynamic plays you suggested. It starts first with staying on schedule and possessing the ball, and we are not doing enough of that right now. That makes some of the other discussions more troublesome.”
The NFL’s #1 ranked defense looked just as tired as the offense, especially in the second half as Allen continued to drive the ball and score on the Steelers. When asked if he felt like he was limited schematically on defense because of the players unavailable, Tomlin replied “Yes, but that’s life in our game. You put together a plan with what you have to work with, and you play ball.”
The Steelers must now shake this off this loss, make necessary adjustments and prepare to travel to Cincinnati to face the Bengals (2-10-1) with hopes of not only ending their losing-streak, but also clinching the division. With the playoffs looming, the Steelers must find a way to turn things around, with hopes of also getting some of their injured players back.
“We have to find a way to collect ourselves and make sufficient plays, but we didn’t. We accept responsibility for that and get ready for our next opportunity.”-Said Tomlin.
