After two weeks on the sidelines as a healthy scratch, Keon Coleman finally got his shot at redemption-and while his stat line won’t jump off the page, the moment he delivered in couldn’t have been bigger.
Late in the third quarter, with the Bills facing a fourth-and-one at the Steelers’ one-yard line, Buffalo dialed up Coleman’s number. The rookie wideout answered, hauling in a short touchdown pass that extended the Bills’ lead to 16-7. It was just his second catch of the day, totaling nine yards, but it was the kind of play that can shift perception-and maybe even momentum-for a young player trying to earn back trust.
And make no mistake, the Bills are going to need Coleman down the stretch.
“We're going to need him,” quarterback Josh Allen said after the game. “He's a very talented football player. He’s made some crucial plays for us this season, and we're going to need more of that moving forward.”
That’s not just lip service from Allen. Buffalo’s offense has leaned heavily on the ground game lately-James Cook was the engine again in this one-but having a physical, red-zone-capable target like Coleman could be a difference-maker as the playoff race tightens. Especially in games where Allen isn’t asked to carry the full offensive load through the air, Coleman’s ability to win in tight spaces becomes even more valuable.
But while Coleman’s touchdown was a key moment, it wasn’t the only history made in Pittsburgh.
Josh Allen etched his name into the NFL record books with an eight-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter-his 76th career rushing score. That breaks Cam Newton’s record for the most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in league history. It’s a milestone that speaks to Allen’s unique blend of size, speed, and toughness, and the way he’s reshaped what we expect from the position.
For all the talk about Allen’s arm talent, it’s his legs that have quietly built one of the most impressive résumés in the game. He’s not just a quarterback who can run-he’s a legitimate red-zone threat, a short-yardage hammer, and a nightmare for defenses trying to account for every option.
So yes, it was a big day for the Bills. They walked out of Pittsburgh with a much-needed win, re-established their identity on the ground, and saw their franchise quarterback make history. But perhaps just as importantly, they saw a young receiver take a step back into the fold-one timely touchdown at a time.
If Coleman can build on that moment, this Buffalo offense might just be finding its rhythm at the right time.