The Pittsburgh Steelers dropped a narrow 28-27 decision to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. Despite holding the lead for much of the game, the Steelers could not hold on as the Bills orchestrated a late-game winning drive in their final exhibition tune-up.
Steelers Fall Short in Preseason Finale Against Bills
Buffalo sealed the victory by marching 59 yards across six plays, capped by a 2-yard touchdown run and a successful two-point conversion pass with just 1.06 left on the clock. Pittsburgh quarterback Drew Allar attempted a potential game-winning comeback, but his final pass intended for rookie tight end Lake McRee fell incomplete with 48 seconds remaining on a fourth-and-7 play from the Steelers’ 38-yard line.
Head coach Mike McCarthy noted after the contest that the late deficit served as a valuable learning experience for his younger players. Our young guys got to play a ton of ball tonight, and that excites me,
McCarthy said. I got to see personalities. I got to see guys step up.
Rookie Standouts and Offensive Performances
Quarterback Will Howard directed two short touchdown drives during the contest, displaying quick decision-making under pressure despite facing poor pass protection that limited deep-field opportunities. Howard did throw an interception to Damar Hamlin after McRee appeared to make a wrong read on the play, marking a bounce-back performance following his two-interception outing against the New York Jets.
Among the team’s risers, rookie returner Kaden Wetjen solidified his roster aspirations in the fourth quarter. After recording two punt returns for negative yardage earlier in the night, Wetjen showcased his speed and elusiveness by breaking a tackle, reversing the field, and returning a punt 45 yards for a touchdown with 11:11 remaining.
Rookie receiver Germie Bernard also continued his strong preseason by catching a swing pass from Howard, breaking a tackle, and scoring midway through the first quarter. In the backfield, Lew Nichols led the ground attack in the first half, finishing with 40 yards on seven carries alongside a 13-yard reception. Fellow rookie running back Eli Heidenreich added a 9-yard touchdown run, finishing his second-half performance with 35 yards.
Roster Decisions and Defensive Concerns
As the preseason concluded, attention turned immediately to upcoming personnel decisions. All NFL franchises face a league deadline to reduce their active rosters down to 53 players.
On the offensive line, rookie first-round draft pick Max Iheanachor made his preseason debut after recovering from an upper-body injury sustained earlier in the month. Entering the game in the second quarter, Iheanachor surrendered a sack and was penalized for holding, leaving veteran Dylan Cook positioned as the safer choice to open as the starter.
Defensively, second-year inside linebacker Carson Bruener struggled on a key sequence when he failed to make contact with Frank Gore Jr. at the line of scrimmage, allowing an 18-yard catch that carried the Bills down to the 1-yard line. Meanwhile, rookie safety Robert Spears-Jennings earned the start, utilizing his closing speed to generate pressure on Buffalo quarterback Shane Buechele on the game’s opening series.
Following the conclusion of the preseason slate, the Steelers turn their attention toward the regular season. The team is scheduled to host the Atlanta Falcons in their regular season opener at Acrisure Stadium.
