The Pittsburgh Steelers host the Buffalo Bills tonight for their second preseason game of the 2024 season. Mike Tomlin named Russell Wilson the starter and said that the first-team groups will be playing about four drives in this game. The Bills also projected their starters to play about a quarter and a half. The two teams had a joint practice on Thursday, so the individual matchups should have at least some familiarity with each other.
The Steelers’ first preseason game was sloppy. The starting group, with Justin Fields at quarterback, managed zero points on three drives. With a strong performance, Wilson can prove why he has been given pole position since he signed with the team in March. First and foremost, the Steelers must play fundamentally sound football, including a mistake-free quarterback-center exchange.
C Zach Frazier had a very solid first week of the preseason and should now get the starting snaps with Nate Herbig injured. Herbig has a significant shoulder injury that will hold him out for a while, per Gerry Dulac. Beanie Bishop Jr. is almost the starting slot corner by default at this point after Grayland Arnold got injured, but he still needs to show out well to prevent the Steelers from potentially dipping into the veteran free-agent market at roster cutdowns.
Josh Allen will be playing for the Bills, so the defense should have a great test ahead of it in this tune-up game.
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The National Weather Service forecasted severe weather conditions, so Acrisure Stadium is currently advising fans to take cover in the concourses of the stadium.
Fans may return to the stands and players are starting their warm-ups now with the weather relenting.
Beanie Bishop Jr. is not in uniform. It doesn’t appear that he will be playing. Tonight was a huge opportunity for him. Now it seems inevitable that the Steelers add a veteran in free agency or wait until roster cutdowns. They might not be able to wait with how banged up the room is.
START OF GAME
The Steelers received the opening kickoff. La’Mical Perine returned it to the 25.
1st and 10, Russell Wilson complete to Van Jefferson for four yards. 2nd and 6, Najee Harris up the middle for one yard. 3rd and 5, false start on Calvin Austin III. 3rd and 10, Wilson was sacked by Gregory Rousseau. The punt went 49 yards, but illegal block called on the Bills. They start at the 28.
Josh Allen isn’t playing. Maybe because of the weather and field conditions. Mitch Trubisky complete to Mack Hollins for 3 yards. 2nd and 7, Trubisky complete to Khalil Shakir for 5 yards. 3rd and 2, Trubisky sacked by Nick Herbig for a loss of 10. A quick three-and-out. Watt isn’t playing so Herbig gets the extra first-team opportunities.
Austin back to receive the punt. It went 58 yards and Austin returned it 11 yards to the 26.
Wilson back on the field as the quarterback. 1st and 10, Wilson tried to step up in the pocket and got sacked by Ed Oliver. 2nd and 13, Warren up the middle for 1 yard. 3rd and 12, Wilson complete to Freiermuth for 10 yards. Another three-and-out drive with a sack. So far, the offense is only missing the botched snaps to match last week’s sloppiness.
Cameron Johnston with a booming 61-yard punt returned 12 yards to the 17. That is how good punting can help win the field position battle. Johnston was a huge addition this offseason. Nick Herbig in on the special teams tackle.
1st and 10, Trubisky complete to Dawson Knox for 9 yards. 2nd and 1, James Cook up the middle for 6 yards.
1st and 10, Patrick Queen blitzed, but the run went by him for 8 yards. 2nd and 2, Trubisky complete to Quinton Morris for 3 yards.
1st and 10, Trubisky sacked by Nick Herbig and Keeanu Benton for a loss of 11. Those two former Badgers are close friends and had a little meeting at the quarterback there. 2nd and 21, Cook up the middle for 5 yards with Joey Porter Jr. on the tackle. False start on the Bills. 3rd and 21, Trubisky complete to Cook on a screen pass for 6 yards tackled by DeMarvin Leal and Montravius Adams.
Austin back to receive the punt. It traveled 51 yards and was returned 11 to the 24. As if nothing has happened in the game so far.
1st and 10, Harris up the middle for 3 yards. 2nd and 7, Harris gained 8 behind a Broderick Jones block.
1st and 10, Wilson complete to Cordarrelle Patterson for no gain. 2nd and 10, Wilson complete to Jaylen Warren for 2 yards in the flat. 3rd and 8, Wilson sacked by Rousseau. Jones was beat badly. Rousseau already with 2.5 sacks. At least the Steelers got a first down this time.
The punt was returned 9 yards to the 13. That was a 65-yard boot by Johnston. Impact punter!
1st and 10, Cook up the middle for 1 yard.
END OF 1ST QUARTER
2nd and 9, Trubisky complete to Keon Coleman for 12 with Porter and Thomas Graham Jr. in coverage.
1st and 10, Cook met by Patrick Queen for a gain of four. 2nd and 6, Trubisky complete to Hollins for 4 yards with Queen on the tackle. 3rd and 2, Cook up the middle for 1 yard and short of the line to gain. The punter coming back out onto the field.
Austin returned the punt 9 yards to the 23. A 51-yard punt by Sam Martin. This Steelers-Bills game is an old school punter battle at this point.
The only player not checking back in with the starting offense is Isaac Seumalo. The veteran should be done for the day. The rest of them getting work after a rough start. Spencer Anderson, not Mason McCormick, checking in for Seumalo.
1st and 10, Quez Watkins end around for 6 yards to the left. 2nd and 4, Warren tackled for a loss of one, but Darnell Washington called for a hold. 2nd and 14, Wilson incomplete intended for Jefferson. 3rd and 14, Wilson checked down to Warren for a gain of 12. Short of the line to gain. Johnston back on the field to punt.
Hardy returned the 64-yard punt 31 yards to the 36. Johnston continues to be the Steelers MVP of this game.
1st and 10, Trubisky incomplete. 2nd and 10, Trubisky overthrew the route into the hands of Miles Killebrew! Neither team has crossed the 50 yet, but the Steelers are now very close.
Wilson still in. 1st and 10, Wilson complete to George Pickens for 4 yards. 2nd and 6, Harris up the middle for 4 yards. The Steelers have breached the 50! 3rd and 2, Wilson complete to Jefferson for 11 yards.
Warren suffered a hamstring injury and will not return.
1st and 10, Wilson deep throw to Pickens along the left sideline. He caught the ball, but they called him out. Still a crazy catch and very close. Tomlin challenged the ruling. If it is overturned, the Steelers will have the ball with goal to go. The ruling stands. 2nd and 10, Patterson took a handoff and tackled for a loss of 1. 3rd and 11, complete to Jefferson for 4 yards. Boswell’s field goal hit the left upright. The game remains scoreless.
1st and 10, holding call on the Bills. 1st and 20, Trubisky complete to Morris for 17 yards and Jalen Elliott in coverage. 2nd and 3, Ray Davis up the middle for 5 yards as the Bills enter Steelers territory.
1st and 10, Davis up the middle for 4 yards. 2nd and 6, Trubisky scrambled for a yard and tackled by Mark Robinson. 3rd and 5, Trubisky complete to Zach Davidson for 27 yards with J. Elliott in coverage.
1st and 10, Ty Johnson up the middle for 6 yards. 2nd and 4, Trubisky incomplete to Coleman. 3rd and 4, incomplete intended for Morris and Payton Wilson may have gotten a hand on the pass in the air.. The field goal unit took the field and put up the first points of the game. 3-0 Bills.
