4 Bills Who Stepped Up Big in a Must-Win Over the Steelers
The Buffalo Bills walked into a cold, blustery Acrisure Stadium on Sunday and left with a season-saving 26-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. It wasn’t just a bounce-back-it was a statement.
With the playoff race heating up and the margin for error shrinking fast, the Bills needed a complete team effort. And they got it.
While Josh Allen added another milestone to his growing résumé-passing Cam Newton with his 76th career rushing touchdown-it was far from a one-man show. Several Bills stepped up in a game that could’ve easily slipped away in the elements. Here are four players who made sure that didn’t happen.
1. Christian Benford - Cornerback
When the Bills needed a spark, Christian Benford lit the fuse.
Early in the third quarter, the defense dialed up pressure, and Joey Bosa delivered a strip sack that jarred the ball loose. Benford was right there, scooping it up and taking it to the house for his first career NFL touchdown. That play flipped the momentum-and the scoreboard.
But Benford wasn’t done. Later in the same quarter, he added an interception, giving him two takeaways in a matter of minutes.
It was the kind of performance that defensive coordinators dream about: opportunistic, aggressive, and game-changing. The second-year corner showed off his instincts and awareness, proving he’s more than just a rotational piece-he’s a difference-maker.
2. Tre’Davious White - Cornerback
Tre White looked like the All-Pro version of himself again.
The veteran cornerback was flying around the field, blanketing receivers and disrupting the Steelers' passing game. He notched two pass breakups and helped keep Pittsburgh’s offense out of the end zone entirely.
What makes White’s performance even more impressive is the context. He’s still working his way back from the Achilles injury that ended his 2023 season.
But on Sunday, you wouldn’t have known it. His footwork was crisp, his reads were sharp, and his physicality at the line reminded everyone just how valuable he is to this defense.
At 30, White isn’t just back-he’s back to being a cornerstone of the Bills’ secondary.
3. Alec Anderson - Offensive Tackle
Next man up? Alec Anderson answered the call-and then some.
With both starting tackles, Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown, sidelined by injuries, Anderson was thrust into a high-pressure situation. Protecting Josh Allen’s blindside is no small task, especially against a Steelers defense that thrives on pressure. But Anderson held his own.
Known for his physical, no-nonsense blocking style, Anderson brought a level of grit to the offensive line. He had a couple of early false starts-understandable given the stakes-but quickly settled in. From there, he played with poise and power, helping keep Allen upright and giving the offense time to find rhythm.
He may be a swing tackle by designation, but on Sunday, Anderson looked every bit like a starter.
4. Ryan Van Demark - Offensive Tackle
On the other side of the line, Ryan Van Demark quietly put together one of his best performances in a Bills uniform.
Like Anderson, Van Demark stepped in due to injury and didn’t miss a beat. He anchored the right side of the line and helped neutralize the Steelers’ edge rushers, giving Allen the kind of pocket he rarely sees against Pittsburgh.
Van Demark has been one of those “always ready” guys-on the roster, in the room, waiting for his shot. On Sunday, he got it. And he delivered.
After the game, Allen made a point to embrace both Anderson and Van Demark. That’s not just for show. That’s a quarterback recognizing the guys who kept him clean-and kept the season alive.
Bottom Line
The Bills needed more than just a win-they needed proof that the depth on this roster could hold up under pressure. And in Week 13, they got it. With key starters out and playoff hopes hanging in the balance, these four players stepped up and delivered when it mattered most.
Buffalo’s path to the postseason is still a tightrope walk, but if performances like these keep coming, they’ve got a real shot to stay in the fight.