The success of the season could come down to the upcoming games against the Baltimore Ravens after the Steelers fell to 6-6 with a 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium.
The Steelers and Ravens meet next Sunday at Baltimore.
The game against the Bills fell apart in the third quarter. The Steelers held a 7-3 halftime lead, but a strip-sack of Aaron Rodgers on the first play of the second half was returned for a Bills touchdown, the first of three TDs as the Steelers' offense struggled to get on track.
The Steelers finished the game with only 166 yards of total offense, their lowest of the season and fewest since Dec. 15 last year when they gained 163 at Philadelphia.
"Not a lot needs to be said," said Mike Tomlin. "That's an awful performance by us. But it's us. We didn't do a lot well tonight obviously. We didn't possess the ball or maintain ball security on offense. We were highly penalized. We allowed those guys to run the ball. Didn't play 60 minutes of action. Didn't play complementary football. So we've got to absorb that result. We're certainly not going to feel sorry for ourselves. That's just the business we're in."
The Steelers were optimistic in the first half. After a scoreless opening quarter, the Steelers got in the end zone midway through the second quarter with a 1-yard run by Jaylen Warren. The score was set up by a James Cook fumble that was forced by Nick Herbig and recovered by James Pierre at the Buffalo 39-yard line.
A 14-yard pass by Rodgers to DK Metcalf and a 17-yard shoestring catch-and-run by Kenneth Gainwell out of the backfield gave the Steelers a first-and-goal at the Buffalo 8-yard line.
Game action photos from the Steelers' Week 13 game against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Brandin Echols (26) Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Brandin Echols (26) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Malik Harrison (50) and linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Yahya Black (94) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Malik Harrison (50) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) and linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51), linebacker Jack Sawyer (33) and linebacker Alex Highsmith (56)during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (74) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) and linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jack Sawyer (33) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Esezi Otomewo (93) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb (55) and tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kyle Dugger (29) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (22) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A general view during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Malik Harrison (50) Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Arron Anastasia / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Malik Harrison (50) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kyle Dugger (29) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Yahya Black (94) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Esezi Otomewo (93) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
On third-and-goal, Warren burst into the end zone behind Spencer Anderson on a run out of the pistol formation. The score gave the Steelers a 7-0 lead with 8:09 left in the half.
The Bills answered with a 16-play field goal drive that took 7:18 off the clock. The Steelers stopped a third-and-8 pass play for 5 yards, and the Bills lined up to attempt a fourth-and-3 conversion at the Pittsburgh 4. But a Bills lineman jumped prematurely, and they settled for a 27-yard Matt Prater field goal with 51 seconds left in the half.
The Steelers had only 87 yards of total offense in the first half, but thanks to a 2-0 turnover edge they led at halftime, 7-3.
The lead lasted for the second-half kickoff. On the first snap of the half, Joey Bosa sacked Rodgers while he was attempting to throw. The ball came loose, was scooped up by Christian Benford, and returned 17 yards for a Bills touchdown and 10-7 lead with 14:44 left in the third quarter.
Mason Rudolph replaced Rodgers, who was injured on the play, and was intercepted on his second pass attempt. The Bills drove 56 yards for a 1-yard touchdown pass from Josh Allen to Keon Coleman on a fourth-down play to push their lead -- with the missed extra point -- to 16-7 with 8:49 left in the third quarter.
Rodgers returned for the Steelers' ensuing possession but couldn't move the offense. The Bills then embarked on an 83-yard touchdown drive that took 8:14 off the clock and ended with Allen running for an 8-yard touchdown on a third-down play. The score put the Bills ahead 23-7 with 14:08 left to play.
Rodgers drove the Steelers to the Buffalo 7, but on fourth-and-2, Gainwell was stopped for a loss of 2 yards and the Bills took possession with 10:11 remaining.
The Bills then ran 9:04 off the clock and kicked a 37-yard field goal to secure the win.
The Bills finished with 249 yards rushing, while the Steelers finished with only 58. The Bills led the time of possession 41:59 to 18:01.
"Run it, pass it, we just weren't successful enough today to sustain any time of ball control or produce enough points to be functional today, and that's just the reality of it," said Tomlin.
