Payments vs. Steelers highlights as Buffalo wins wild card matchup – USA TODAY

It took a day longer than Payments Mafia had anticipated, however the Buffalo Bills are shifting alongside on the highway to Tremendous Bowl 58.
In a wild-card recreation delayed greater than 24 hours by lake impact snow and wind situations, Josh Allen handed for 203 yards and three TDs because the Payments withstood a late comeback by the Pittsburgh Steelers to win 31-17 on Monday afternoon. Allen additionally rushed for 74 yards and his crew’s different rating, a 52-yard dash by Pittsburgh’s protection within the second quarter. 
Buffalo led 21-0 halfway by the second quarter earlier than Pittsburgh mounted its cost, sparked by a blocked discipline aim that led to a landing. However the Payments held on, their triumph cemented by Allen’s 17-yard TD strike to Khalil Shakir halfway by the fourth quarter.
“We have a resilient group, the veteran management that now we have I actually suppose it is unmatched within the league,” Allen stated on the CBS broadcast following the sport. “I simply recognize the fellows.”
They’ll subsequent host the reigning champion Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in subsequent Sunday’s divisional spherical, Buffalo’s victory additionally sends the Houston Texans to face the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.
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The win was the sixth in a row for the Payments, whose late-season rush enabled them to grab the AFC East crown from the Miami Dolphins. Buffalo, considered one of 12 groups to by no means win the Tremendous Bowl, advances to the divisional spherical for the fourth consecutive season. The Chiefs have eradicated the Payments in two of the previous three postseasons.
In the meantime, the Steelers suffered their fifth consecutive playoff defeat, courting to the 2016 AFC title recreation. They usually could possibly be coming into an offseason of large uncertainty, head coach Mike Tomlin, per an NBC report, set to weigh his future with only one yr remaining on his contract. Pittsburgh’s coach since 2007, Tomlin is presently the league’s longest-tenured head coach following Invoice Belichick’s departure from the New England Patriots final week.
The Steelers received a late-season jolt from third-string QB Mason Rudolph (229 yards, 2 TDs passing Monday), although that additionally served to highlight the struggles of starter Kenny Pickett, the crew’s first-round choose in 2022, who suffered an injured ankle halfway by the season. Rudolph is scheduled to be a free agent in March.
Josh Allen
There have been loads of large moments for the star signal-caller, who ripped off the second-longest scoring run by a quarterback in NFL playoff historical past together with his 52-yard scamper. However this did not really feel just like the all-Allen effort that the Payments have sometimes counted on to hold them, with children like Dalton Kincaid and James Prepare dinner stepping as much as help. And extensive receiver Khalil Shakir got here up with a distinctly Allen-like second-effort on a fourth-quarter landing to assist ice the sport.
Payments Mafia
Good displaying from a crew that trudged by the snow to get a frigid viewing of a playoff conquest. Was there ever any doubt that these followers would prove, although? And now they get one other residence playoff, with the possibility to avenge that gorgeous loss to Patrick Mahomes and Co. two years in the past. 
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
It is hardly a perfect matchup to tackle a red-hot crew with this caliber quarterback for Mahomes’ first playoff highway recreation. However the Chiefs can have a two-day relaxation benefit going into the showdown – and so they have loads of motive of confidence given their postseason historical past.
Steelers protection
For all of the consternation concerning the crew’s quarterbacks this season, this disappointing unit actually appeared to succeed in its breaking level with out T.J. Watt, giving up 245 yards within the first half. A bunch that was overly reliant on takeaways (27 whole) to maintain it could actually’t afford the sort of breakdowns it had Monday, such because the protection lapse on Kincaid’s first-quarter landing.
Payments protection
No motive to sound the alarm concerning the general efficiency. However the lack of linebacker Terrel Bernard may show insurmountable for a unit that has already misplaced linebacker Matt Milano, cornerback Tre’Davious White and cornerback Tre’Davious White. The center of that protection could possibly be mighty susceptible towards the Chiefs and, if crucial, the Texans or Ravens – all groups that know find out how to assault that space of the sector.
Baltimore Ravens
Sure, the AFC’s No. 1 seed will not should face the divisional rival that toppled it twice this yr, albeit with a kind of victories coming in a Week 18 recreation that did not characteristic Lamar Jackson and lots of different starters. However the Steelers nonetheless would have proved to be a extra favorable matchup than the upstart Houston Texans, who’ve come a great distance since Baltimore’s Week 1 walkover in C.J. Stroud’s first skilled recreation. 
Taylor Swift
The pop celebrity most likely by no means thought her journey itinerary would come with a January jaunt to Buffalo. The issues we do for love!
-Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz
Monday was Mike Tomlin’s first recreation because the NFL’s (present) longest-tenured coach after the New England Patriots and Invoice Belichick went their separate methods final week. Tomlin has led the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2007.
Nonetheless hypothesis is constructing about his future within the Metal Metropolis. NBC reported Saturday that Tomlin, who’s below contract for 2024 however not past, and his household will assess his future after the season. Former Steelers DB Ryan Clark, now an NFL analyst for ESPN who performed for Tomlin, urged him to go away the group final month, suggesting it was time for a contemporary begin. Present gamers, together with S Minkah Fitzpatrick, have been important of kids on the roster whereas suggesting many have not lived as much as Tomlin’s well-known mantra, “The usual is the usual.”
In 17 seasons, Tomlin has a 181-109-2 report and has guided the Steelers to Tremendous Sunday twice, together with a victory in Tremendous Bowl 43 following the 2008 season. It stays to be seen if there will probably be an 18th season by Pittsburgh’s three rivers.
Tomlin lower his postgame press convention quick when requested about his future. – Nate Davis
Minkah Fitzpatrick most likely desires a play again after a failed sort out led to a Payments landing.
On second-and-nine, Josh Allen threw the ball to Khalil Shakir, who was instantly met by the All-Professional security for what would have been a two-yard acquire. However Fitzpatrick did not wrap up and take down the extensive receiver, who spun round and scampered all the best way downfield for a 17-yard landing.
There’s simply over six minutes left within the recreation. – Victoria Hernandez
It’s not over but in Buffalo.
The Steelers, as soon as trailing 21-0, have pulled to inside one rating.
Mason Rudolph led the Steelers on a protracted 12-play, 75-yard landing drive that took six minutes off the clock. Pittsburgh scored when Rudolph discovered Calvin Austin ultimately zone for a 7-yard landing catch.
The Steelers path 24-17 with 10:32 remaining within the recreation.
Rudolph has bounced again since a second quarter interception. The quarterback is now as much as 187 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception. – Tyler Dragon
The Buffalo Payments had respectable protection on Steelers WR George Pickens. That didn’t cease a member of Payments Mafia from making an attempt to insert himself or herself into the motion. 
A fan appeared to fireplace a snowball onto the sector as QB Mason Rudolph focused Pickens ultimately zone. The toss from the stands reached the tip zone and nearly hit Pickens. 
The Steelers scored just a few performs later to make it 24-17 with roughly 10 minutes left within the fourth. – Chris Bumbaca
The third quarter ended with each groups buying and selling discipline targets over the course of the quarter-hour. 
The Payments had the ball for practically 9 minutes, together with a field-goal drive that went for greater than seven minutes. Working again James Prepare dinner is as much as 66 dashing yards on 15 carries.
Within the remaining minute of the quarter, George Pickens had performs of 19 and 14 yards, respectively, to maneuver Pittsburgh into the opponent’s half of the sector.
Buffalo is quarter-hour away from internet hosting the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the AFC divisional spherical.  – Chris Bumbaca
After the Steelers scored 10 unanswered factors, the Payments lastly responded with a 45-yard discipline aim.
Halfway by the third quarter, James Prepare dinner began the drive with an 11-yard run and a sequence of different bursts. Josh Allen had a 12-yard cross to Stefon Diggs, however then Buffalo stalled and needed to accept the kick.
Tyler Bass nailed the 45-yard rating after having his earlier try within the recreation blocked.
The drive took up 7:18 of the clock. – Victoria Hernandez
The Steelers have now scored 10 unanswered factors.
A 19-yard catch by Diontae Johnson put the Steelers in Buffalo territory. Pittsburgh received all the best way right down to the Payments 22-yard line however needed to accept a 40-yard discipline aim by Chris Boswell.
The Payments nonetheless lead regardless of Pittsburgh’s string of unanswered factors.
Boswell has made all 17 of his discipline aim makes an attempt within the postseason. 
A Buffalo Payments protection that is been riddled with accidents all season apparently misplaced one other stalwart Monday. 
LB Terrel Bernard, the crew’s main tackler in 2023 (143, together with 6.5 sacks) was carted off the sector early within the third quarter with what gave the impression to be a lower-leg harm. Bernard, a second-year participant out of Baylor, had made fairly an impression after All-Professional LB Matt Milano was misplaced to a season-ending leg harm in October. 
Bernard had additionally served because the “inexperienced dot” participant who relayed the defensive play calls. LB A.J. Klein, contemporary off the apply squad, will doubtless proceed taking over a bigger position. – Nate Davis
Turnovers have turn into the all too-frequent bugaboo for Payments QB Josh Allen, who led the AFC individually with 22 giveaways in 2023 (solely Commanders QB Sam Howell had extra with 23). Buffalo was 3-0 this season when Allen had a clear sheet however 8-6 in any other case. 
That additionally aligns together with his profession at massive. In 93 NFL regular-season begins, Allen is 39-26 when he commits no less than one turnover however 24-4 when he does not. He is 3-1 in postseason when defending the ball however 1-3 in any other case.
To this point, so good towards Pittsburgh. – Nate Davis
The Steelers got here alive towards the tip of the second quarter. Simply earlier than the two-minute warning, Pittsburgh blocked Buffalo’s 49-yard discipline aim try and turned it into their first factors of the sport: a 10-yard cross from Mason Rudolph to Diontae Johnson.
The Payments additionally scored a landing within the quarter, a 52-yard run from quarterback Josh Allen.
Payments receiver Stefon Diggs was shaken up late within the quarter after a catch the place he was tackled by Steelers security Minkah Fitzpatrick. After mendacity on the turf for just a few moments, he received up and walked off the sector.
Rudolph is 8-for-16 for 102 yards, the rating and an interception whereas Allen has gone 15-for-21 for 146 passing yards and three whole touchdowns. Buffalo’s quarterback has solely gone three video games this season with out throwing a choose.
The Payments are up 21-7 going into halftime. – Victoria Hernandez
The Steelers lastly received on the scoreboard.
The Steelers offense took benefit after their particular groups unit blocked a 49-yard discipline aim.
Quarterback Mason Rudolph accomplished three passes throughout a five-play landing drive that was capped off by 10-yard landing reception by extensive receiver Diontae Johnson. The landing lower Pittsburgh’s deficit to 21-7 with 1:39 remaining within the second quarter. The catch was Johnson’s first of the sport.
Pittsburgh’s offense had struggled up till its landing drive, however the rating might present them momentum going into the second half. – Tyler Dragon
Keep out of Josh Allen’s method. 
Usually a sage piece of recommendation for defenders. And the Steelers are having no bother doing it. 
On Third-and-7 close to midfield, the Payments quarterback dropped again and scanned the sector. He didn’t see something that glad his urge for food. He did see plenty of inexperienced. He secured a primary down – and plenty extra. 
Allen ran over a defender, break up two extra, and darted 52 yards for a landing. It was the longest run of his profession and it marked the longest run in Payments playoff historical past.  – Chris Bumbaca
The Payments received their second turnover of the sport within the second quarter.
On Pittsburgh’s first journey to the purple zone — and their first journey into Buffalo territory — they have been going through second-and-goal from the 4. Mason Rudolph threw to Diontae Johnson ultimately zone and Kaiir Elam stepped in entrance of the receiver to snag the interception.
It’s Buffalo’s second turnover of the day after they recovered a fumble within the first quarter. – Victoria Hernandez
The AFC East champion Buffalo Payments got here out of the gates stampeding Monday, taking a 14-0 lead over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday afternoon in a recreation delayed by inclement lake impact climate — which additionally required a Herculean effort to get Highmark Stadium ready for play. However QB Josh Allen was able to play, throwing for 81 yards and a pair of touchdowns to his tight ends, Dalton Kincaid and Dalton Knox.
In the meantime, the Steelers could not get out of their very own method. They ran 12 whole performs over the span of their first 4 drives, leading to three punts and a fumble by WR George Pickens that led to Buffalo’s second TD. It definitely hasn’t helped that Pittsburgh has been with out its finest participant, OLB T.J. Watt, who’s inactive with a knee harm. – Nate Davis
One factor the Steelers couldn’t afford was turning over the ball. They practically did it twice within the recreation’s first 14 minutes. 
Tight finish Pat Freiermuth was extensive open and caught a cross from Mason Rudolph. Freiermuth turned upfield close to the Payments sideline and had loads of room. Payments cornerback Christian Benford upended Freiermuth, and the ball got here free earlier than his decrease physique hit the bottom. Nonetheless, the officers on the sector dominated that Buffalo linebacker Baylon Spector didn’t recuperate the ball with full possession earlier than his physique touched the white out-of-bounds line. 
The Payments challenged the play and it was upheld. Buffalo misplaced its first timeout in pursuit of possession. – Chris Bumbaca 
Buffalo had the primary turnover of the sport and turned it into one other landing.
On the primary play of a Steelers drive, Mason Rudolph threw the ball to George Pickens. The cross was initially dominated incomplete, however the Payments challenged it.
Upon evaluate, the referees dominated that Pickens did certainly catch the ball after which fumbled it as he was falling. Taron Johnson recovered the ball for Buffalo.
On the subsequent play, Josh Allen lobbed the ball downfield for Dalton Kincaid, who introduced within the catch for a 29-yard landing. And the Bills Mafia threw snow within the air in celebration. – Victoria Hernandez
Buffalo opened up the scoring on Monday with a landing, and the group had enjoyable celebrating.
With a lot snow nonetheless within the stands, Buffalo followers threw snow up within the air to have a good time, creating fairly the scene inside Highmark Stadium. – Jordan Mendoza
The Payments had no concern taking their opening offensive possession and churning down the sector with ease.
Quarterback Josh Allen accomplished all 5 of his passes for 56 yards, culminating with a nine-yard landing cross to tight finish Dawson Knox, who slipped by a delicate spot in Pittsburgh’s zone on the left facet of the sector.
All 10 of Buffalo’s performs on the sequence produced constructive yardage and 4 of these performs went for no less than 10 yards. The largest play got here on a primary down and was a 20-yard cross to tight finish Dalton Kincaid, who had streaked throughout the sector. – Lorenzo Reyes
The Steelers received the motion occurring Monday with a 16-yard cross from Mason Rudolph to Jaylen Warren for a primary down, however not a lot else.
Najee Harris ran for 2 yards after which Rudolph threw two incomplete passes and Pittsburgh was compelled to punt on the primary drive of the sport. – Victoria Hernandez
Mason Rudolph will get the beginning as beginning QB as Kenny Pickett continues to rehab from ankle surgical procedure. Rudolph has gained every of his three begins this season, serving to the Steelers sneak into the playoffs. Rudolph has thrown for 716 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in these three video games, wins towards the Bengals, Seahawks and Ravens.  
The snow is off the sector at Highmark Stadium, however not within the crowd.
The snow cleanup earlier than Monday’s recreation was executed to the sector and stairs within the stadium, leaving mounds of snow at each row contained in the stadium, making it fairly the journey to get to the seats.
Followers could possibly be seen plowing and digging by the snow simply to search out the place they sit.
Volunteers have been clearing the steps and different walkways at Highmark Stadium at present in preparation for the playoff recreation. Followers have been answerable for clearing their seats.
The Payments are 18-20 all-time within the NFL playoffs. They’ve performed in 4 Tremendous Bowls, all consecutively from 1990-93. That is their fifth consecutive yr making the postseason, and solely as soon as throughout that stretch have they superior previous the divisional spherical. They misplaced to the Chiefs within the AFC championship recreation in the course of the 2019 season.  
The Steelers are 36-27 all-time within the NFL playoffs. They’ve appeared in eight Tremendous Bowls and gained six of them. Their final playoff victory got here in the course of the 2015 season, once they gained two video games earlier than dropping within the AFC championship recreation towards the Patriots. 
The record begins and ends with star linebacker T.J. Watt, who’s out with a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his knee.  
The Payments will probably be with out extensive receiver Gabe Davis (knee) and security Taylor Rapp (calf). Linebacker Tyrel Dodson (shoulder) and cornerback Rasul Douglas (knee) are listed as questionable. 
With so many groups based mostly within the Midwest and Northeast, freezing temperatures will not be unusual for NFL playoff video games. So, it ought to come as no shock that locations reminiscent of Buffalo, Cleveland and Inexperienced Bay, Wisconsin, characteristic prominently on this list of the coldest NFL playoff games ever. – Jim Reineking 
As of Monday morning, many of the snow had waned, per the NWS, however frigid temperatures stay. At 4 p.m., half an hour earlier than the scheduled kickoff, the NWS is calling for a forecast of 18 levels, with winds gusting to round 14 mph, producing a wind chill of 4 levels. Whereas the NWS is asking for a slight likelihood of snow showers between midday and 1 p.m., the climate ought to clear properly earlier than kickoff.
Temperatures will steadily drop as the sport performs on, with the NWS calling for a forecast of 14 levels, wind gusts of as much as 11 mph and a wind chill of 1 diploma at 7 p.m. Snow showers are anticipated to return, although they’re projected to start at round 10 p.m. – Lorenzo Reyes

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