Steelers overcome elements to secure victory against Bills
In a game against the Steelers, Josh Allen successfully guided the Bills to a victory in the playoffs. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
In Orchard Park, New York, Josh Allen had a stellar performance with three touchdown passes and a record-breaking 52-yard touchdown run in the Buffalo Bills' 31-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC wild-card playoff match. The game was delayed for a day due to a blizzard caused by lake-effect weather.
The stadium, Highmark, was filled with excitement as snow was thrown up in the air like confetti, celebrating Allen's successful 17-yard touchdown pass to Khalil Shakir. With only 6:27 remaining in the game, this pass restored a two-touchdown lead for Buffalo. Shakir received the pass at the 10-yard line and evaded Minkah Fitzpatrick's tackle by spinning around before speeding past the other Steelers defenders and scoring in the end zone.
In the divisional round on Sunday night, the Bills (12-6), seeded second and coming off five consecutive victories in the regular season, will move forward to host the Kansas City Chiefs, seeded third and led by Patrick Mahomes. The Bills have been eager for a chance to play a playoff game at home against the Chiefs, especially after their previous two seasons ended with playoff defeats in Kansas City.
Allen completed 21 out of 30 passes for 203 yards and also rushed for 74 yards on eight attempts. This achievement made him the first quarterback in NFL postseason history to have at least three touchdown passes and 70 or more rushing yards, including one touchdown.
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In his initial playoff appearance for the Steelers (10-8), Mason Rudolph successfully completed two touchdown passes. However, Pittsburgh was unable to maintain consistency on both offense and defense, making it difficult to keep pace with Allen and the Bills. This marks the fifth consecutive playoff loss for the Steelers, as their last postseason triumph took place exactly seven years ago.
Pittsburgh started the game slowly, giving up three touchdowns to Buffalo in the first five possessions and falling behind 21-0 after Allen's impressive touchdown run in the second quarter. However, the Steelers managed to turn things around by blocking a field goal attempt towards the end of the second quarter, which resulted in a touchdown for them.
After being a backup for a long time, Rudolph stepped in for the injured Kenny Pickett and struggling Mitch Trubisky. He led the Steelers to three consecutive victories at the end of the regular season and was chosen to start in the playoffs, despite Pickett's return from an ankle injury.
Due to a hazardous snowstorm that resulted in over 2 feet of snow in the area, the NFL made the decision to reschedule the game between Buffalo and the Steelers from its original Sunday afternoon slot, causing a one-day delay in hosting the game.
The elements did not have a significant impact. Despite the low temperatures in the teens, the sky was cloudless and the breeze coming from Lake Erie was only gentle.
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