The Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills squared off in Week 2 of the NFL Preseason at Acrisure Stadium, and there were plenty of storylines to watch for both teams. Buffalo and Pittsburgh played their starters much longer than in Week 1 of the preseason, so it was deemed a worthy test for both squads.

After the Bills chose to defer their possession to the second half, the Steelers offense took the field first. Anthony McFarland Jr. took the football out of the end zone on the kickoff, trying to make a play, and was stopped well inside the 20-yard line.

Kenny Pickett and company entered the game, and picked up right where they left off in Week 1 of the preseason. With a nice balance of run and pass, Pickett converted several third down plays, two to George Pickens and Allen Robinson, which moved the ball near midfield. It was then that Jaylen Warren took a handoff and sprinted 63-yards off the left side for the first score of the game.

62-YARD TOUCHDOWN‼️ @Nunless2

📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/T87FSng3KS pic.twitter.com/SxDA8N6VMs

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 19, 2023

The extra point was good, making the score 7-0 Steelers early in the 1st quarter.

Buffalo’s offense failed to convert a 3rd and 2, and Calvin Austin III was sent back on punt return duties. Austin took the punt 54-yards, setting up the offense at the 25-yard line. The next play Kenny Pickett hit Pat Freiermuth for the touchdown.

Tally 6 more‼️ @kennypickett10 @pat_fry5

📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/T87FSng3KS pic.twitter.com/VtEbAdxiHD

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 19, 2023

In the blink of an eye, it was 14-0.

Buffalo’s offense wasn’t going to be held scoreless for long, and two conversions to Gabe Davis and Stefon Diggs put the ball into Pittsburgh territory on the ensuing drive. However, penalties didn’t just move the Bills out of field goal range, but also out of Pittsburgh territory. What looked promising turned into a punt situation.

The Steelers’ starting offense was done for the night, and Mitch Trubisky and the back ups entered the game. A defensive pass interference call and a nice screen play to Anthony McFarland Jr. moved the ball near midfield. Nonetheless, the offensive success stalled and resulted in a Pressley Harvin punt, his first of the game.

A Bills three-and-out ended the 1st quarter with the Steelers holding a 14-0 lead.

The second quarter saw both teams going to their benches, and the struggles continued because of it. It was Buffalo who threatened to score next, and Matthew Barkley converted several big-time third downs to move the ball into a first-and-goal situation. On second down, Barkley’s pass was tipped by Cole Holcomb, and intercepted by Elijah Riley.

TIP DRILL‼️ @ERiley011

📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/T87FSng3KS pic.twitter.com/FeYr813v7R

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 19, 2023

After the first turnover of the game the Steelers were unable to convert the turnover into points, but with just under two minutes remaining the Bills were looking to work the two-minute drill and add points before half. Barkley’s first pass of the drive was intercepted by rookie Joey Porter Jr., and giving the Steelers the ball inside the red-zone.

Meant to be in the Black & Gold 🙌 @JoeyPorterJr

📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/T87FSng3KS pic.twitter.com/MwnIWl2xPY

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 19, 2023

With 1:06 left in the half and all three timeouts remaining, a pass intended for Darnell Washington drew a defensive pass interference call. The ball was placed at the one-yard line, and it was another defensive pass interference call on Washington, with 18 seconds left, which got the Steelers a new set of downs. It may have taken a while, but on 3rd down with 7 seconds left Trubisky found Connor Heyward for the touchdown.

10 ➡️ 83 for six‼️

📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/T87FSng3KS pic.twitter.com/GxcqB4bLEJ

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 20, 2023

The 21-0 score held going into halftime.

Buffalo started with the football to start the second half, and it didn’t take long before Pittsburgh made an impact play. Barkley dropped back to pass to the flat, and blitzing cornerback Chandon Sullivan jumped and deflected the pass in the air and was able to corral the ball for the interception.

Mason Rudolph was unable to do anything other than settle for a Chris Boswell field goal, making the score 24-0 in the third quarter.

Every time the Bills threatened to put together a scoring drive, it was the Pittsburgh defense which came up with a takeaway. On this drive, it was Nick Herbig who hit Barkley as he threw for the strip sack, which was recovered by Tanner Muse.

BIG PLAY BY @nickherbig_ 💪

📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/T87FSnfvVk pic.twitter.com/GEF9q3prue

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 20, 2023

Following the takeaway, Rudolph put together a drive to get the offense into the red-zone. Nonetheless, like all other drives in the second half, they resulted in nothing more than a Boswell field goal. The kick made the score 27-0 with 4:41 left in the quarter.

In the 4th quarter, no one made any significant plays until the Steelers essentially shot themselves in the foot. Well, to be specific, it was Kendrick Green. Green snapped the ball to Rudolph when he wasn’t even looking for the snap, and it was recovered by the Bills on the one-yard line. One play later and the Bills scored their first touchdown, making the score 27-7 with 13:16 left in regulation.

With teams emptying their benches, the play got sloppy in the waning minutes of the game. Both teams exchanged punts, and the final score was a Kyle Allen touchdown pass in the two-minute drill to make the score the 27-13. After a penalty on Pittsburgh during the extra point, the Bills went for the two-point conversion and got it, making the score 27-15, which held as the final.

The Steelers win moved their record to 2-0 on the preseason, and they have a very short turnaround before a Thursday game vs. the Falcons in Atlanta Thursday night. Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the preseason finale.