The Pittsburgh Steelers have certainly not used this game as the dress rehearsal for the regular season, with Ben Roethlisberger and Michael Vick each only playing two or three drives. Landry Jones was in the game by the end of the half, throwing a touchdown to Martavis Bryant. DeAngelo Williams also scored a touchdown as well as a two-point conversion, and Sammie Coates also caught a two-point conversion pass, but they trail the Buffalo Bills by a score of 23-19.
Of note is the injury to kicker Garrett Hartley, who is obviously the Steelers’ second kicker.
Jordan Berry kicked off, reaching the end zone, and the ball was returned just past the 20. Tyrod Taylor took over at the 22, with the fullback picking up three yards on the first play. The running back Hill picked up 12 yards up the left side. The pitch to Hill to the right was bottled up at the line of scrimmage. On third and short after a completion over the middle, the Bills converted on a short throw in front of Kevin Fogg.
Jarvis Jones met the running back in the backfield, with Anthony Chickillo helping to make the tackle. Easley made another reception to keep it third and manageable, with Taylor going back to Easley again for the conversion. A 17-yard completion to Gray set the Bills up in the red zone at the 20. Taylor scrambled and ran it in from 20 yards out to take a 29-19 lead.
After a one-yard gain by Josh Harris, Landry Jones was smothered for a sack. On third and 21, Harris went for a short gain for a three-and-out. Berry’s punt traveled to the 35, with Fogg promptly making the tackle.
E.J. Manuel returned to the game, with a big hole opening up the in the middle of the defense around Daniel McCullers. From the 37, Alden Darby was beat in the end zone for the long touchdown. The Bills lead 36-19.
Kenzel Doe was tackled at the 15-yard line on the kickoff return, a three-yard run led to a swing pass to Dri Archer to set up third and one. Jones’ third-down pass was deflected at the line to fall incomplete. Berry boomed at 66-yard punt, returned 14 yards for a 52-yard net. Jordan Dangerfield laid a big hit on the returner, who stayed down.
Despite pressure, Manuel found the soft spot of the zone across the field for a big gain to his tight end. From the 39 now, the Steelers were able to stop the run on first down. The Steelers evidently recorded a sack after the quarterback was fooled with a fake handoff, with Manuel slipping and Darby touching him down. On third and 18, a 15-yard pass set up fourth and three, with the Bills offense staying on the field. Manuel’s pass was behind his receiver for a turnover on downs.
Harris picked up a couple of yards on the final play of the third quarter. Jesse James‘ first reception was good for six yards to set up third and one. Harris found a hole up to left side for the conversion. Jones’ pass was incomplete to C.J. Goodwin with the defender playing the ball well. On the following carry, Harris was chased down from behind for no gain. Tyler Murphy‘s reception was well short of the first down. Berry’s punt traveled just 34 yards down to the 17.
L.J. Fort made the tackle at the first down marker on second and seven. From the 27, Manuel completed short for four yards. with a short run setting up another third down.
The defense stopped the following carry for a short loss, with Matt Simms completing long on second down. Doran Grant did well to come up and tackle the wide receiver on a horizontal screen. Dangerfield and Grant combined to make the tackle for a loss after a conversion. Gragg and Simms combined for yet another touchdown, with Terence Garvin seemingly taking a poor angle. The Bills lead 43-19 late in the fourth quarter.
Jones took over from the 20 on the following drive, with a short pass to James for a short gain. After another short James pass, Jones’ third down throw was deflected.
After two short gains set up third and one, the Bills were able to convert against a third-string unit. The offense proceeded to close out the game with a series of kneel downs to secure the 42-19 victory.
