Three questions: The big picture on what went wrong in Bills' loss to Steelers By Mark Gaughan News Sports Reporter Sep 12, 2021 Sep 12, 2021 Updated Mar 18, 2026 0 Josh Allen fumbles the ball as he is tackled by Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the second quarter. Mark Mulville / Buffalo News Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save By Mark Gaughan News Sports Reporter Here’s the big-picture analysis of the Buffalo Bills’ season-opening, 23-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers:kAmkDEC@?8m(96C6 H2D E96 82>6 =@DEnk^DEC@?8mk^AmkAmx? E96 @776?D:G6 EC6?49] !:EED3FC89 92D @?6 @7 E96 E@A E9C66 7C@?E 7@FCD :? E96 }u{ – >2J36 }@] ` – 2?5 :E H2D E96 36DE F?:E :? E96 82>6 3J 2 =@E] %@ @G6CD:>A=:7J[ }u{ 82>6D FDF2==J 2C6 H@? 6:E96C 2E BF2CE6C324< @C :? E96 EC6?496D]k^AmkAm%96 $E66=6CD’ 5676?D:G6 82>6 A=2? H2D E@ AFE E96 82>6 @? 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(66< `] %96 r@=ED >256 E96 A=2J@77D 2?5 E96 y28F2CD 5:5?’E H:? 2?@E96C 82>6]k^Am kAm$@ :E’D @? E@ |:2>:] qF772=@ H:== ?665 76H6C D6=7\:?7=:4E65 >:DE2<6D E@ 362E 2 8@@5 s@=A9:?D E62>]k^Am 0 Comments Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Quarter by quarter: Penalties, mistakes are Bills undoing in second half Here is a quarter-by-quarter look at the Bills' loss to the Steelers on Sunday. Report Card: Questionable coaching calls, offensive failures lead to ugly grades in Bills' opening loss Grading the Buffalo Bills after their 23-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at Highmark Stadium: Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger calls Highmark Stadium a 'hostile place,' praises Bills fans "Those fans are awesome. They were loud. It was very, very loud," Roethlisberger said after the game. Plays that shaped the game: Blocked punt, short yardage, trick plays foil Bills Here’s a look at some of the key plays in the Bills’ 23-16 defeat, starting with the decisive special teams turnover. Jason Wolf: Bills can't blame defense for season-opening implosion against Steelers "The Buffalo Bills looked nothing like a championship contender in their uninspiring season opener," writes Jason Wolf. Bills offensive line flustered in loss to Steelers “We just put ourselves in bad situations, whether it be communication or technique,” center Mitch Morse said. Full coverage - Steelers 23, Bills 16: Don't blame defense, observations, report card and more Recap the Buffalo Bills' season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers with The Buffalo News' digital coverage. Watch now: Bills head coach Sean McDermott discusses going for it on fourth down Watch now: Bills quarterback Josh Allen speaks after loss to Steelers Watch now: Bills lineman Mitch Morse speaks after loss to Steelers Watch now: Bills RB Devin Singletary speaks after loss to Steelers Twitter reactions: Bills fans react to opening loss to Pittsburgh Frustration boiled among those following the game on Twitter, venting about offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's fourth-down call and displayi… Watch now: Bills' Jordan Poyer talks about loss to Steelers Watch now: Bills defender Micah Hyde speaks after loss to Steelers Steelers 23, Bills 16: How it happened, stars of game, key plays The game's result had more to do with the Bills’ shortcomings on offense and questionable play-calling than anything Pittsburgh did. 10 Observations: Josh Allen nowhere near MVP form in Bills' opening loss Allen was off target basically all afternoon, as the Bills’ high-powered offense from a year ago never showed up in a 23-16 loss to the Pittsb… Photos: Bills open season against Steelers The Buffalo Bills take on the Pittsburgh Steelers to kick off the 2021 NFL season in Orchard Park. Watch now: Gov. Kathy Hochul attends Buffalo Bills game Gov. Kathy Hochul attends the Buffalo Bills home opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Sept., 12, 2021, at Highmark Stadium in Orc… Watch now: Tailgating Bills fans are fired up Buffalo Bills fan Matt Lee, of Hamburg, gets fired up with friends as he makes his usual tailgating fare of Philly cheesesteak sandwiches prio… Watch now: Littlest Bills fan Buffalo Bills fan, Chris Marks of Newton Connecticut, has fun with his daughter Miriam, 15 mos. while tailgating at Highmark Stadium prior to … Watch now: Excited Bills fans Buffalo Bills fans Josh Falter, left, Justin Losel and Henry Pieszala, of Depew are pumped up about the home opener against the Pittsburgh Ste… Watch now: Sea of Bills fans A sea of Bills fans and some Steelers fans wait to enter Gate 2 of Highmark Stadium for the Buffalo Bills season opener in Orchard Park. Photos: Tailgating and Bills fans return to Highmark Stadium The fans have returned and the tailgating has begun for the Buffalo Bills season opener against at Highmark Stadium. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | Omny Studio Recommended for you Watch Now: Related Video The NFL Might Be FORCED To Use College Football Refs Next Season Golf Drama: Players Narrowly Miss Out on Masters Entry Golf Drama: Players Narrowly Miss Out on Masters Entry NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says Bears need stadium site soon NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says Bears need stadium site soon What is more important in the Final Four: talent or experience? What is more important in the Final Four: talent or experience?
Quarter by quarter: Penalties, mistakes are Bills undoing in second half Here is a quarter-by-quarter look at the Bills' loss to the Steelers on Sunday.
Report Card: Questionable coaching calls, offensive failures lead to ugly grades in Bills' opening loss Grading the Buffalo Bills after their 23-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at Highmark Stadium:
Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger calls Highmark Stadium a 'hostile place,' praises Bills fans "Those fans are awesome. They were loud. It was very, very loud," Roethlisberger said after the game.
Plays that shaped the game: Blocked punt, short yardage, trick plays foil Bills Here’s a look at some of the key plays in the Bills’ 23-16 defeat, starting with the decisive special teams turnover.
Jason Wolf: Bills can't blame defense for season-opening implosion against Steelers "The Buffalo Bills looked nothing like a championship contender in their uninspiring season opener," writes Jason Wolf.
Bills offensive line flustered in loss to Steelers “We just put ourselves in bad situations, whether it be communication or technique,” center Mitch Morse said.
Full coverage - Steelers 23, Bills 16: Don't blame defense, observations, report card and more Recap the Buffalo Bills' season-opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers with The Buffalo News' digital coverage.
Twitter reactions: Bills fans react to opening loss to Pittsburgh Frustration boiled among those following the game on Twitter, venting about offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's fourth-down call and displayi…
Steelers 23, Bills 16: How it happened, stars of game, key plays The game's result had more to do with the Bills’ shortcomings on offense and questionable play-calling than anything Pittsburgh did.
10 Observations: Josh Allen nowhere near MVP form in Bills' opening loss Allen was off target basically all afternoon, as the Bills’ high-powered offense from a year ago never showed up in a 23-16 loss to the Pittsb…
Photos: Bills open season against Steelers The Buffalo Bills take on the Pittsburgh Steelers to kick off the 2021 NFL season in Orchard Park.
Watch now: Gov. Kathy Hochul attends Buffalo Bills game Gov. Kathy Hochul attends the Buffalo Bills home opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Sept., 12, 2021, at Highmark Stadium in Orc…
Watch now: Tailgating Bills fans are fired up Buffalo Bills fan Matt Lee, of Hamburg, gets fired up with friends as he makes his usual tailgating fare of Philly cheesesteak sandwiches prio…
Watch now: Littlest Bills fan Buffalo Bills fan, Chris Marks of Newton Connecticut, has fun with his daughter Miriam, 15 mos. while tailgating at Highmark Stadium prior to …
Watch now: Excited Bills fans Buffalo Bills fans Josh Falter, left, Justin Losel and Henry Pieszala, of Depew are pumped up about the home opener against the Pittsburgh Ste…
Watch now: Sea of Bills fans A sea of Bills fans and some Steelers fans wait to enter Gate 2 of Highmark Stadium for the Buffalo Bills season opener in Orchard Park.
Photos: Tailgating and Bills fans return to Highmark Stadium The fans have returned and the tailgating has begun for the Buffalo Bills season opener against at Highmark Stadium.