Bills 26-7 Steelers, summary: score, stats, highlights | NFL Week 13

Bills 26, Steelers 7: Game Summary

The Buffalo Bills stormed into Pittsburgh and delivered a dominant second-half performance, turning a sloppy, turnover-filled first half into a commanding 26–7 victory  over the Steelersthat keeps their playoff push firmly on track.

First half: Mistakes and missed chances

The opening 30 minutes were defined by miscues for the Bills. Josh Allen and James Cook both turned the ball over early, Allen throwing an interception to Brandin Echols and Cook fumbling twice, one of which was recovered by Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen. Pittsburgh capitalized on Cook’s first-half fumble, marching behind Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren to punch in the game’s first touchdown: a 1-yard burst by Warren that put the Steelers ahead 7–0.

Buffalo’s offense stalled repeatedly, hurt by penalties, dropped passes, and Pittsburgh’s stout early tackling. But James Cook’s steady production finally put the Bills in scoring range late in the half, allowing Matt Prater to convert a 27-yard field goal just before the break, trimming Pittsburgh’s lead to 7–3.

Third quarter: The momentum wing

Everything changed on the very first snap of the second half.

Aaron Rodgers. who played much of the game battered, bloodied, and behind an injury-patched offensive line, was sacked by Joey Bosa, lost the football, and watched Christian Benford scoop it and run 17 yards for a game-changing defensive touchdown. It gave Buffalo their first lead at 10–7, and from that point, the Bills never blinked.

On the next Steelers possession, Mason Rudolph (in briefly for Rodgers) threw an interception, again to Benford, giving the Bills premium field position. James Cook took over from there, ripping off a spectacular 31-yard run and setting up Josh Allen’s 2-yard touchdown strike to Keon Coleman on 4th-and-goal. A missed PAT kept it 16–7, but Buffalo now had all the momentum.

Fourth quarter: Allen closes It out

Working with short fields and a worn-down Steelers defense, Allen expanded the lead early in the fourth quarter by doing what he does best...improvising. On 3rd-and-goal, he escaped pressure and sprinted eight yards into the end zone for a 23–7 advantage.

Buffalo’s offense then executed a clock-draining, 12-play final drive that ended with Prater drilling a 37-yard field goal, stretching the margin to 26–7 and effectively sealing the game.

Bills' key performers

James Cook III was the engine of the offense, overcoming two early fumbles to finish with 249 total rushing yards for the team, 144 of them on his 32 carries, plus 33 receiving yards. His explosive third-quarter run ignited the Bills’ offensive turnaround.

Josh Allen wasn’t asked to be a hero in the air, finishing a modest 15/23 for 123 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT, but he made crucial plays with his legs (38 yards and a rushing TD) and extended key drives that broke Pittsburgh’s defensive stamina.

Christian Benford delivered the game’s defining sequence: a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown and an interception on the next series. His performance flipped the game entirely.

Joey Bosa, Greg Rousseau, and T.J. Sanders all contributed to a disruptive defensive showing that included four tackles for loss, constant QB pressure, and the sack that forced Pittsburgh’s fateful turnover.

Pittsburgh’s struggles

Aaron Rodgers, playing through injury. had a rough day: 10-of-21 for 117 yards, no touchdowns, and several near-interceptions. The Steelers generated just 58 rushing yards, with Warren’s early success evaporating as the Bills bottled up the run in the second half.

DK Metcalf (32 yards) and Darnell Washington (45 yards) flashed occasionally, but the Steelers never found sustained rhythm.

Defensively, Payton Wilson (14 tackles) and Ramsey/Harrison/Black were active, but Pittsburgh produced no sacks, few pressures, and couldn’t contain Buffalo’s run-heavy second-half identity.

Buffalo improves to 8–4, strengthening their AFC Wild Card positioning. Pittsburgh falls to 6–6, slipping deeper into an offensive identity crisis and fighting to keep their postseason hopes alive.

Bills dominate Steelers 26-7

The Bills made a statement in the second half after falling behind early. The Steelers lose 23-7 to Buffalo in their own territory. 

Johnson gains 2 and that's game...

Rudolph pass incomplete to Skowronek - 3rd and 9

Johnson gains a yard - 2nd and 9

Prater kicks to the Steelers 4 and Williams returns it 24 yards

The Bills extended the lead even more with Prater's 37-year-old field goal.

BILLS FIELD GOAL!

Bills take second timeout

Cook takes it but he gets nowhere - 4th nad goal at the 2

TWO-MINUTE WARNING

With 2 minutes left in the game, the Bills are dominating. It's 28-7, and they have the ball at the Steelers 19 at 3rd down and 2.

Cook picks up 3 more - 3rd and 2

Davis picks up 5 yards - 2nd and 5

Steelers take first timeout

Personal Foul - Unnecessary Roughness on Steelers' Otomewo - 15 yards, 1st and 10

Cook loses 3 - 2nd and 13

Cook bursts through for 5 - 1st down

Bills take first timeout

Davis gains a yard - 3rd and 2

Davis rushes for 7 yards - 2nd and 3

Allen pass to Johnson for 4 yards - 1st down

Allen gets away, passes it to Knox for 3 yards - 3rd and 3

Cook gains 4 yards - 2nd and 6

Allen pass caught by Knox for 16 yards - 1st down at the Bills 28

Cook gains 3, tackled by Black - 2nd and 7

The Steelers go for it on 4th and 2 and give it to Gainwell, but he is SWALLOWED UP for a loss of 2, tackled by Rousseau and the Bills will take over at their own 9

Rodgers pass complete to Gainwell for 8 yards - 4th and 2

Rodgers pass incomplete in the end zone with no one in sight - 3rd and 10

Rodgers pass incomplete to Warren - 2nd and 10

Rodgers pass CAUGHT in the air by Washignton and it's good for another huge gain of 26! 1st down at the Bills 15

Rodgers pass incomplete to Warren, knocked down by White - 2nd and 10 at the Bills 41

Warren bursts through and LEAPS for a gain of 12 - 1st down

Rodgers pass complete to Metcalf for 10 yards - 1st down Steelers

Rodgers pass to Washington caught and he picks up 19 yards to make up for most of that loss - 3rd and 7

Rodgers FUMBLES a horrible snap and falls on the ball at the 18 - 2nd and 26

Prater kicks to the Steelers 9 and Williams returns it 25 yards to the 34

Historic Allen TD extends Bills lead!

Allen matters into his own hands at 3rd and goal, running the ball 8 yards into the end zone for the touchdown and putting the Bills up 23-7 with Prater's PAT less than a minute into the final quarter.

Cook took the ball but was tackled for a loss of 3 by Heyward - 3rd and goal

Allen pass incomplete to Shakir - 2nd and goal

Keon Coleman got the first Bills offensive TD

Cook is cookin'!

Rudolph interception

It was Benford again with the takeaway

Bloodied Rodgers....

Rodgers is beat up in this game. He sat out the next Steelers drive, but came back in on the following one.

Rodgers' sack/fumble to start the 3rd quarter...

And Benford took it right into the end zone for the Bills' first TD

END THIRD QUARTER

What a start to the second half! After two turnovers in the first half, the Bills came back and forced two turnovers of their own, one which immediately led to their first touchdown. They've since scored another TD and lead the Bills 16-7. They have the ball on the 5-yard line on 1st down to start the final quarter, so they're in position to score right away.

Allen bullet pass to Cook CAUGHT for 16yards - 1st down at the Steelers 5

Allen pass to Coleman incomplete - 2nd and 10

Johnson picks up 2 yards for the 4th-down conversion - 1st and 10 at the Steelers 21

Allen keeps the ball and gains 4 - 4th and 1

Allen pass to Shakir for 5 yards - 3rd and 5

Davis takes it again but Watt stops him for no gain this time - 2nd and 10

It's Davis again and he gets ANOTHER 10 yards and another 1st down at the Steelers 31

Davis bursts through for 13yards and another Bills 1st down

Allen escapes the sack, gets away for 11 yards - 1st down

Cook gains just a yard - 2nd and 9

Allen pass to Hawks caught and he gains 10 yards - 1st down

Cook gains 7 - 2nd and 3

Waitman punts to the Bills 17 and Shakir makes the fair catch

Gainwell picks up 7 - 4th and 2

Rodgers pass incomplete, deflected by Sanders - 3rd and 9

Gainwell picks up a yard - 2nd and 9

Rodgers back in the game

After a bloody nose and bad fall, Rodgers is okay and back in the game again!

Prater kicked 25 yards to Steelers 25 out of bounds  - KickoffOut of Bounds penalty

The Bills extend their second-half lead as Cook led them downfield with the help of a 31-yard run. Allen made the pass on 4th down to Coleman in the end zone 2 yards for the score. Prater's PAT was MISSED, doinked off the left goal post. But the Bills suddenly have a 9-point lead with 8:49 still to play in the 3rd quarter.

Cook gains another 1 - 4th and goal at the 2

Cook gains 2, then. 2 more - 3rd and goal at the 3-yard line

Cook is OFF!! He runs for it for a gain of 31YARDS to the Steelers 7!

Cook breaks through for 6 yards - 2nd and 4

Cook gains 3 yards, then Allen's pass is complete to Knox for 9 yards - 1st down

Rudolph's pass to Washington was INTERCEPTED by Benford, who just scored the defensive TD on the last play! Bills take over again at their own 44!

Rudolph is in for Rodgers and his pass to Metcalf was incomplete, but an Unsportsmanlike Conduct call on Bills' Epenesa gave them the automatic 1st down

Warren takes the ball but Epenesa and Jones take him down for a loss - 2nd and 11

Prater kicked to the Steelers 2 and Gainwell took it 26 yards

Steelers' Castro called for Holding - 10 yards

Rodgers was bloodied on the nose and potentially hurt more on the wrist after that play...

A lot just happened there on the opening drive of the first half. Rodgers was looking around and there was no man open. As he ran out of time, he was SACKED by Bosa for a loss of 9 yards and the ball came loose. Bills' Benford recovered it and ran it 17 yards into the end zone for the BUFFALO touchdown. Prater's PAT was good and the Bills now lead to start the second half with 14:44 still to go in the 3rd quarter.

And we are back!

Prater kicked to the Steelers 9 and Williams returned it 17 yards to the 26

END FIRST HALF

That takes us to the end of the first half. It was a scoreless game until the second quarter, when a Bills fumble led to a Steelers touchdown. The Bills were only just able to get points on the board a few minutes before the half. That fumble was one of a few turnovers by the Bills. The Steelers will get the ball on offense to start the second half.

Gainwell takes it up 11 yards - 1st down

Rodgers pass to Smith caught for 6 yards - 2nd and 4

Prater kicked to the Steelers 2 and Williams returned it 23 yards to the 25 but he was called for UnnecessaryRoughness, 12 yards

The Bills got close, but they still couldn't get into the end zone. They settled for Prater's 27-yard field goal with 51 seconds left in the first half.

BILLS FIELD GOAL!

Bills lined up to go for it on 4th and 3 and got the False Start om McGovern - 4th and 8

Now they'll go for the field goal...

Bills take the timeout (first) before the play clock winds down

Bills going for it at 4th and 3 on the 4-yard line and try to draw them offsides agian

Steelers' Pierre was injured on the previous play

Steelers take third/final timeout

Allen pass to Davis for 5 yards - 4th and 4

Allen pass incomplete under pressure - 3rd and8 at the 9 

Cook gains 2 - 2nd and 8

Ruling REVERSED - Cook was out of bounds at the 11

Cook runs it 8 yards - 1st down

Steelers take first timeout

Cook gains 5 - 2nd and 5

TWO-MINUTE WARNING

That brings us to the 2-minute warning in the first half. The Bills are at 1st and 10 at the Steelers 24 as they try to score ahead of the half.

Steelers' Queen was injured on the previous play

Allen pushes forward for the 1st down

Allen scrambles away from two hits and slides short of the 1st down and gets hit late, but no flag is thrown - 3rd and 2

Cook bursts through for 7 - 2nd and 3

Allen pass to Johnson caught for 9 yards - 1st down

Allen's pass to Johnson broken up by Dugger, nearly intercepted it (3rd and 8)

Cook surges for 2 - 2nd and 8

Allen scrambles again for 3 yards - just good enough for the 1st down

Allen escapes the sack, scrambles for 4 - 3rd and 3

Cook gains 3 this time, stopped by Harrison - 2nd and 7

Cook runs for 14 yards and a 1st down

Boswell kicks to the Bills 16 and Davis returns it 15 to the 31

Warren's TD celebration

Warren scored the first points for Steelers

Cook fumbled it

After the Bills fumbled, the Steelers took advantage of the opportunity and Gainwell and Warren helped them downfield. Warren took the ball into the end zone for the 1-yard touchdown, Boswell's PAT was good, and now the Steelers take the lead with 8:09 left i n the first half.

Late flag on Steelers' Metcalf for Unsportsmanlike Conduct - 15 yards, enforced between downs

Rodgers pass incomplete, avoided the sack - 3rd and goal 

Warren pushes through for 7 yards - 2nd and goal at the 1

Rodgers pass LOW is CAUGHT by Gainwell for a big gain of 17 - 1st and goal at the 8

Rodgers to Washington incomplete - 2nd and 10

Rodgers connects withe Metcalf for 14 - 1st down at the Bills 25

Cook took the ball, FUMBLED, forced by Herbig, and it was RECOVERED by STEELERS' Qieen at the Bills 39

Johnson picked up 3 for the 1st down

Cook gains 1 - 3rd and 2

Allen scrambles for 7 yards - 2nd and 3

This time Cook catches and runs for a burst of 13 - 1st and 10

Cook takes it for just a yard - 2nd and 9

Waitman punts to Bills 20 and Echols downs it

Rodgers gets away from pressure and throws to Austin but it's incomplete - 4th and 9

Warren picks up a yard - 3rd and 9

Rodgers pass incomplete to Metcalf - 2nd and 10

END FIRST QUARTER

That takes us to the end of the 1st quarter in Pittsburgh. It's a scoreless game so far. But the Steelers have the ball on 1st down at the Bills 47.

Warren breaks through for 12 - 1st down

Rodgers pass incomplete to Smith - 2nd and 10

Wishnowsky punts to the Steelers 29 and Austin takes it 12 yards to the 41

Allen pass incomplete to Shakir, broken up by Ramsey - 4th and 4

Cook picks up 4, then 2 - 3rd and 4

Waitman punts to the Bills 23 and Shakir made the fair catch, but there was a PENALTY on Bills' Franklin for Holding - 10 yards

Rodgers pass deep to Wilson is incomplete - 4th and 4

Gainwell gains 2, Warren warrants 4 more - 3rd and 4

Wishnowsky punts to the end zone - touchback

Bills stayed on the field and tried to draw Steelers offsides. Didn't work (does it ever?), and they're called for Delay of Game - 4th and 15

Allen gets the ball away at the last second to avoid a sack but it's incomplete - 4th and 10

Allen screen pass to Johnson good for7  yards

There was a Personal Foul on Steelers' Dugger for Face Mask, but it was taken away.

3rd and 10

False Start on Bills' Anderson, 5 yards - 2nd and 17

Davis takes it again, but this time the Steelers are ready for it and Herbig stops him for a loss of 2 - 2nd and 12

And it's Davis AGAIN for another huge gain of 13!

Davis bursts through for a huge gain of 15 yards - 1st down

Cook picks up 8, then another 5 for the Bills 1st down

Waitman punts to the Bills 18 and Shakir makes the fair catch

Rodgers pass broken up by White and the Steelers are forced to 4th and 10 and will punt it back after the interception

Warren gains 2 - 3rd and 10

Warren takes it yet again but Benford tackles him for a loss of 2 - 2nd and 12

Warren takes it again for a gain of 3 and the 1st down

Warren takes the ball just short of the down - 3rd and 1

Rodgers pass complete to Metcalf for 8 yards - 2nd and 2

Oops...Allen interception in 1st quarter

Allen's pass INTERCEPTED by Echols!

The Steelers take over at their own 35.

Allen tosses it to Cook and he gains 4 - 3rd and 10

False Start on Bills' Anderson - 5 yards, 2nd and 14

Cook gains a yard, stopped by Watt and Black - 2nd and 9

Allen pass caught by new WR BrandinCooks for a gain of 13 - 1ar down

Cook gains 3 - 3rd and 7

Allen pass to Shakir incomplete - 2nd and 10

Allen hands it off to James Cook and he's off! He picks up 19 yards to start the game - 1st down

GAME TIME!

Steelers won the toss and elected to defer so Bills start us on offense.

Boswell kicks to the Bills 2 and Jphnson takes it 21 yards to the 23.

Rodgers playing with cast on the wrist

McDermott vs Tomlin: Bills hold upper hand in recent matchups

Bills head coach Sean McDermott and Steelers’ MikeTomlin have a long history, having faced each other multiple times since McDermott took over in Buffalo in 2017.

In four regular-season meetings, McDermott has come out on top three times, including a dominant 38-3 win three seasons ago. He also holds a postseason edge, leading Buffalo to a 31-17 Wild Card victory over Pittsburgh in 2024.

Brandin Cooks to take the field for Buffalo

Veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks joined the Buffalo Bills this week, excited for the chance to play with quarterback Josh Allen. Cooks, 32, spent the first 10 games of the season with the New Orleans Saints and quickly participated in his first Bills practice ahead of Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh.

He praised both Allen and the Bills organization for their professionalism, while Allen highlighted Cooks’ football IQ and readiness to contribute. The signing aims to boost Buffalo’s struggling passing attack following their tough loss to the Texans.

It's a windy one in Pittsburgh...

Weather could be a factor in today's game as winds are currently blowing at over 32 mph. Temps are in the mid 30s and should stay around that throughout the game.

Steelers vs Bills Injury Report and Inactives

Steelers Injury Report

The Steelers enter Week 13 without LT Broderick Jones (neck) on the Reserve/Injured List and DE Derrick Harmon (knee), but QB Aaron Rodgers returns after missing last week with a broken wrist. Veteran Andrus Peat will start at left tackle in Jones’ place, while rookie Yahya Black is expected to see extra snaps at defensive end. CB Asante Samuel Jr. has been elevated to the active roster, replacing Darius Slay, who is inactive.

Steelers INACTIVES

WR Scotty Miller

QB Will Howard (3rd QB)

CB Darius Slay

DL Logan Lee

DT Derrick Harmon

Bills Injury Report

The Buffalo Bills enter today’s critical matchup with several key players sidelined. WR Joshua Palmer (ankle) and TE Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) are both out, with rookie Keleki Latu elevated from the practice squad to fill the tight end role. Buffalo’s offensive line will be missing starters LT Dion Dawkins (concussion) and RT Spencer Brown (shoulder), though Tylan Grable, just activated from injured reserve, and Ryan Van Demark are available to step in. On defense, LB Terrel Bernard (elbow) and DT Phidarian Mathis (shoulder) are inactive, while CB Ja’Marcus Ingram is a healthy scratch behind Tre’Davious White and Maxwell Hairston, who both cleared concussion protocol.

Bills INACTIVES

WR Joshua Palmer

LB Terrel Bernard

CB Ja'Marcus Ingram

DT Phidarian Mathis

LT Dion Dawkins

RT Spencer Brown

TE Dalton Kincaid

Bills in must-win position to keep postseason hopes alive

The Bills enter their matchup with the Steelers clinging to the AFC’s No. 7 seed and fighting to steady a season that has slipped out of division-title contention. At 7–4, Buffalo is surrounded by 6–5 teams, including Pittsburgh, making this a pivotal swing game in a crowded playoff race.

A win would strengthen the Bills’ Wild-Card positioning and build momentum after a tough loss in Houston, while a defeat could drop them out of the bracket entirely and tighten the pressure heading into December. This is as close to a must-win as Buffalo has faced all season.

Steelers desperate to survive

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter Week 13 at 6–5, but the record feels far worse considering their 4–1 start. With six games left, the Steelers have shown little indication they can reverse course. A loss against the Bills, another AFC playoff contender, would all but eliminate their postseason hopes, especially after last week’s damaging defeat to the Chargers and a blown opportunity against the Bears.

Both sides of the ball have lacked consistency and identity. The offense remains stagnant, the defense unreliable, and injuries expose even more vulnerabilities. That’s especially troubling against Josh Allen, who has routinely dominated Mike Tomlin–coached teams and enters this matchup 4–1 against Pittsburgh.

Hello everyone and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills game!

The Bills head to Pittsburgh in a near–must-win situation after a damaging loss to Houston dropped them to 7–4 and battered Josh Allen behind eight sacks. The Steelers, also fighting for playoff position at 6–5, are looking to rebound from a blown lead against Chicago, setting up a high-stakes matchup for both teams.

Kickoff is at 4:25 p.m. ET from Acrisure Stadium and we'll be here starting from an hour before kickoff, all throughout the game, and up until the final whistle bringing you all the latest updates, commentary, highlights, stats, and scores.