Bills Run Wild in Pittsburgh as Steelers Fans Hit Boiling Point
The Buffalo Bills didn’t just beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 13 - they steamrolled them. In a game that exposed just how far the Steelers have slipped on both sides of the ball, the Bills delivered a ground-and-pound clinic that left Acrisure Stadium stunned and seething.
Let’s start with the headline: 249 rushing yards. That’s not just a good day on the ground - that’s historic.
It’s the most rushing yards any visiting team has ever posted at Heinz Field/Acrisure Stadium since it opened in 2001. Go back even further, and you won’t find a rushing performance like this on Steelers soil in the last 50 years.
The last time Pittsburgh gave up this kind of yardage at home, O.J. Simpson was still in the backfield - and that was 1975.
Buffalo's Ground Game: Relentless and Record-Breaking
Buffalo didn’t lean on a single star to get it done - this was a full-team effort on the ground. James Cook led the charge with 32 carries for 144 yards. He didn’t hit pay dirt, but his ability to consistently churn out yards kept the Steelers’ defense on its heels all afternoon.
Behind him, rookie Ray Davis added 62 yards on just nine carries, showing burst and vision that gave Pittsburgh fits. Quarterback Josh Allen chipped in 38 yards and a rushing touchdown - and with that score, he passed Cam Newton for the most career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in NFL history (76). Even third-string back Ty Johnson got in on the action with a couple of carries to help seal the day.
The Bills’ offensive line deserves just as much credit. They opened up lanes, controlled the line of scrimmage, and imposed their will on a Steelers front that’s traditionally one of the league’s most physical. On Sunday, though, Pittsburgh’s defense looked anything but.
A Historic Collapse for the Steelers Defense
To put this performance in perspective, the previous record for most rushing yards allowed at Heinz Field/Acrisure Stadium was 231 - a mark hit twice, once by the Browns in 2016 and again by the Jaguars in 2017. The Bills didn’t just break that record; they shattered it.
And this wasn’t just a statistical outlier - it was a full-blown unraveling. The Steelers were outmatched at every level of the defense. Missed tackles, poor gap discipline, and a failure to adjust to Buffalo’s run-heavy approach all contributed to the meltdown.
This kind of defensive performance is rare for a franchise that prides itself on toughness and physicality. But on Sunday, the Bills brought the fight - and the Steelers had no answer.
Fans Voice Their Frustration in Loud, Unmistakable Fashion
The scene at Acrisure Stadium turned ugly as the game wore on. With the Steelers offense sputtering and the defense getting gashed, fans didn’t hold back.
Boos rained down throughout the second half. But it didn’t stop there.
When Pittsburgh’s traditional rally anthem - “Renegade” by Styx - played over the speakers, it was met with a chorus of boos, something that may be unprecedented. Then came the chants: “Fire Tomlin.” For a head coach who’s never had a losing season, that’s uncharted territory, but it speaks to the level of frustration boiling over in Steelers Nation.
And it’s not hard to see why. After a promising 4-1 start to the season, Pittsburgh has now dropped five of its last seven games, falling to .500 at 6-6.
With injuries to division rivals like Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow earlier in the year, the Steelers had a real shot to control their playoff fate. But instead of seizing the opportunity, they’ve stumbled badly.
Offensive Struggles Continue to Haunt Pittsburgh
While Buffalo was piling up 249 yards on the ground, the Steelers couldn’t even crack 170 total yards of offense. That’s not going to win many games in today’s NFL, especially not against a team like the Bills that can beat you in multiple ways.
The offense looked disjointed and uninspired. Drives stalled early and often.
There was no rhythm, no spark - and no real threat to keep Buffalo honest. When your defense is getting worn down by a relentless ground game, the offense has to help out by staying on the field.
Instead, the Steelers kept handing the ball back, and the Bills kept running it down their throats.
What Comes Next for Pittsburgh?
The Steelers are now at a crossroads. The fan base is frustrated, the team is underperforming, and the schedule isn’t getting any easier. Mike Tomlin has built a reputation for keeping his teams competitive no matter the circumstances, but this version of the Steelers is teetering.
The good news? There’s still time to turn it around.
The bad news? Based on what we saw in Week 13, they’ve got a long way to go - and not much room for error.
As for the Bills, this was a statement win. Physical, dominant, and efficient - the kind of performance that reminds the rest of the AFC that Buffalo still has the firepower to make a deep run.
And if they can run the ball like this in December and January? Watch out.