The Steelers meant business as soon as they got the kickoff. Pittsburgh held the ball for 7 minutes on their opening drive. After a 21 yard Willie Parker scamper, and another pair of first downs; Pittsburgh found themselves in field goal territory. Jeff Reed put The Burgh on the scoreboard early with a 34 yard field goal. 3-0 Steelers.
Buffalo’s opening drive didn’t go so well for them. Actually, they only had one drive that went well for them all game. This wasn’t it. They were able to generate a first down, but it would be their only first down the entire first half. An incomplete 4th and 2 pass ended their first drive.
The Bills did have momentum for a brief second late in the first quarter when Jim Leonard picked off Big Ben; but it was short lived as Buffalo went 3 and out on the ensuing possession. It didn’t take long for Pittsburgh to regain control of this game.
The Steelers were able to bend but not break Buffalo’s Defense for the remainder of the first half. Enter Jeff Reed. Reed put in work in the second quarter striking on field goals of 28, 39, and 31 yards. While the score was only 12-0 half time, Buffalo was out gained in total yards 239-50 by Pittsburgh.
Terrence McGee gave Buffalo hope with a 63 yard kick off return to start the 2nd half. A few plays later The Bills managed to not get shut out when Rian Lindell hit a 24 yard field goal making it 12-3 Steelers.
Pittsburgh then decided it was time to start scoring touchdowns. The Steelers marched down the field on a drive that included a 16 yard Parker run and a 27 yard catch by Santonio Holmes. The Steelers first 2nd half possession was finalized by a 1 yard pass from Roethlisberger to Matt Speath giving Pittsburgh the lead 19-3.
Buffalo was able to move the chains 3 times on their next possession. However their drive was ended abruptly when Larry Foote stripped JP Losman on 4th down and Anthony Thomas could not advance the fumble past the first down marker.
Both offenses stalled on their next possessions. Pittsburgh punted the ball for the first time in the fourth quarter.
Pittsburgh tacked on one more score midway through the 4th quarter. After a 29 yard leaping grab by Heath Miller; Willie P took a handoff 11 yards in to make it 26-3 Steelers. Parker finished with 126 yards on 23 carries.
Buffalo got the ball back, but it didn’t matter. They went three and out again. Pittsburgh’s secondary punished Buffalo’s receivers all game. At one point Buffalo Wide Out Lee Evans became so frustrated that he was called for unsportsmanlike conduct on back to back plays. Najeh Davenport ran the clock out for the Steelers when they got the ball back. Final score 26-3 Good Guys.
Roethlisberger finished the game 21 of 34 for 242 yard with 1 TD and 1 INT. Ben got everyone involved completing passes to 9 different receivers. Hines Ward caught 5 of them for 55 yards. Nate Washington added 3 catches for 60 yards. On defense, James Farrior led Pittsburgh with 10 tackles. Jeff Reed kicked 4 field goals. Pittsburgh is 2-0.