Buffalo Bills Get Blown Out; Future of Team in Doubt
Dec 11, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills outside linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (57) runs after making an interception from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) during the first quarter at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
The Buffalo Bills had no answer for the Pittsburgh Steelers today in a snow-filled game.
The Bills came into this game fighting for their playoff lives. Last week, they got out to a dominating start against the Raiders, only to fall apart in the second half.
Leading up to this game there has been a lot of talk about the future of Tyrod Taylor and Rex Ryan. Today’s game against the surging Steelers was a game that was set to decide the future of the team.
On the first drive, the Steelers were marching down the snowy field into the red zone. Linebacker Lorenzo Alexander intercepted a Big Ben pass for a short return, giving the Bills the ball. However, Buffalo wouldn’t take advantage of the turnover and would punt on their first possession.
Pittsburgh came back on their second drive and scored on a Le’ Veon Bell 3-yard touchdown run to take a 7-0 lead. Buffalo was not able to do much of anything during the first quarter, notching -1 yard on just one first down — which came off a Steelers’ penalty.
The second quarter started out similar to the first. The Steelers drove the ball down the field and finished with a 7-yard touchdown run by Le’Veon Bell. The Bills trailed 14-0 early in the second.
Later in the second, Stephon Gilmore picked off Ben Rothlisberger and returned it 31-yards to the 7-yard line. A couple plays later, Tyrod Taylor hit Sammy Watkins for an 8-yard touchdown pass. Steelers led 14-7 at the half.
The Steelers started the second half with a long clock-killing drive, chewing up about 8 minutes off the clock. The drive finished with Le’Veon Bell‘s third rushing touchdown of the day. The 5-yard run gave the Steelers a 21-7 lead. The Steelers finished the quarter driving the field again.
The Steelers were in the red zone again, and it looked like they were going to score the go-head touchdown. Bills linebacker, Zach Brown, picked off a pass in the end zone to stop the drive. That was the Bills’ third interception of the day.
Late in the fourth, Tyrod Taylor hit tight end Charles Clay for a 40-yard touchdown to make the game 24-13. The extra point was no good. The Steelers answered back with a 39-yard field goal to go up 27-13.
That scored iced the game.
The Bills got down by two touchdowns early and really had no answer most of the day. Le’Veon Bell ran all over the field with 236 rushing yards. The Bills offense could not muster up enough production to make a real difference.
With this loss, the Bills are definitely out of playoff contention for yet another season. They have not made the playoffs since 1999. The future of the team is in doubt.
Going into next season, they could have a new head coach and quarterback.
Is Rex Ryan the right coach for the Bills? What do you think Bills fans?
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