ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills advanced to the divisional round for the fourth consecutive season after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-17.
It was a full house at Highmark Stadium after the game was pushed back a day due to blizzard conditions in Orchard Park.
Buffalo knew they were up against a gritty team, led by one of the most successful coaches in the league. The Bills braced the chilly conditions and pulled out a win to extend their postseason run.
Josh Allen finished the game with 21 completions on 30 attempts, earning three passing touchdowns and one 52-yard rushing touchdown on 203 passing yards and finishing with a 121.9 passer rating.
Josh Allen hit Khalil Shakir on a short crossing route, and Shakir did the rest.
Shakir broke at least two tackles en route to a 17-yard touchdown and a 31-17 lead for Buffalo.
The Steelers continued to cut into the Buffalo lead as Mason Rudolph connected with Calvin Austin for a 7-yard touchdown with 10:32 left in the game. It capped a 12-play 75-yard drive and cut the Bills lead to 24-17.
Bills defensive back Taron Johnson left the game to be evaluated for a head injury.
Buffalo kicker Tyler Bass connected on a 45-yard field goal with 1:32 left in the third quarter to extend the Bills lead to 24-10.
Bills starting linebacker Terrel Bernard suffered what appeared to be a significant injury to his right ankle early in the second half. He spun to the ground as he made a tackle. He was taken off the field on a cart for X-rays with an air cast on his right leg and officially ruled out. It added to a long list of injuries on the Buffalo defense.
The Steelers made it a two-possession game just before the half when quarterback Mason Rudolph connected with Diontae Johnson on a 10-yard touchdown pass to cut the Bills lead to 21-7. Bass had a 49-yard field goal attempt blocked with 2:14 left in the first half. The Steelers recovered at the Bills 33-yard line. Bills punter Sam Martin appeared to pull a hamstring while running toward the loose ball. He was announced as questionable to return at halftime, although he returned at the start of the second half.
The Bills opened a three-score lead midway through the second quarter when on 3rd and 8, Josh Allen took off for a 52-yard touchdown run to give Buffalo a 21-0 lead. It was the longest touchdown run in Bills playoff history, surpassing a 45-yard touchdown run by Joe Cribbs against the Jets back in 1981.
Buffalo dominated on both sides of the ball early in the game. 2022 first-round pick Kaiir Elam picked off Mason Rudolph in the end zone holding the Steelers off the board in the second quarter.
Allen and the Bills made the Steelers play for a George Pickens fumble in the first quarter. Bills head coach Sean McDermott successfully challenged the play which had been initially ruled as an incomplete pass.
The Bills drove 80 yards in then plays on their opening drive with Allen hitting tight end Dawson Knox for a 9-yard touchdown to open the scoring.
The Bills started the game with several key players out due to injury.
That list included cornerback Rasul Douglas, safety Taylor Rapp, linebacker Tyrel Dodson, and receiver Gabe Davis.
Buffalo will host Kansas City next Sunday at 6:30 p.m. in Orchard Park.