Undefeated Preseason Finale
Bills Edge Steelers 28-27 to Cap Undefeated Preseason Ahead of Roster Cuts
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Key Points
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Ray Davis muffed a punt on his first return, giving Pittsburgh the ball at Buffalo's 13-yard line, before bouncing back with a 12-yard punt return on his next attempt, highlighting ongoing concerns about Bills' punt return unit.
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Germie Bernard capped a Steelers drive with a touchdown reception from Will Howard early in the game, providing Pittsburgh an early scoring spark in the finale.
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Frank Gore Jr. showed versatility with a 24-yard gain in the third quarter, signaling his potential as a dual-threat option beyond traditional running duties.
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The Bills’ go-ahead sequence featured a 42-yard pass interference penalty on Pettis to set up the ball at the 7, followed by a go-ahead TD and a successful 2-point conversion to Pettis.
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Michael Hoecht made his preseason debut for Buffalo, returning from a torn Achilles tendon; the veteran defensive lineman, who signed with the Bills in March 2025, is considered ahead of schedule in his recovery.
The Buffalo Bills capped a perfect 3-0 preseason with a 28-27 comeback win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, a largely backup-filled affair that served as final roster evaluation before cuts. Ian Wheeler sealed the victory with a 2-yard rushing touchdown with 1:06 remaining, followed by a successful 2-point conversion to Dante Pettis that held up Bills Wire.
The game showcased depth across Buffalo's roster while exposing special teams vulnerabilities. Ray Davis muffed a punt early, giving Pittsburgh the ball at Buffalo's 13-yard line, though he bounced back with a 12-yard return later WIVB. The Steelers mounted a furious 10-point rally in the final seven minutes before the Bills' late-game heroics ended the preseason on a high note.
Buechele Directs Comeback as Allen Watches From Sideline
Shane Buechele orchestrated most of Buffalo's offense, completing 26 of 38 passes for 196 yards while Kyle Allen served as Josh Allen's primary backup SI. Buechele engineered the decisive drive late in the fourth quarter, hitting Pettis for a go-ahead touchdown after a 42-yard pass interference penalty had set up the Bills at Pittsburgh's 7-yard line.
Frank Gore Jr. contributed a 1-yard rushing touchdown and showed versatility with a 24-yard gain in the third quarter, signaling potential as a dual-threat option SI. Skyler Bell emerged as a standout receiver, catching seven passes including a 28-yard scoring reception that highlighted Buffalo's depth at the position.
Pittsburgh's Late Surge Falls Short Against Buffalo Rally
The Steelers kept it close despite deploying mostly backup talent themselves. Will Howard found Germie Bernard for an early touchdown reception that gave Pittsburgh an early scoring spark SI. Pittsburgh's defense dominated stretches of the game, and the offense mounted a 10-point surge in the final seven minutes that nearly stole the preseason finale.
Drew Allar's fourth-down miscue highlighted Pittsburgh's ongoing quarterback competition as the Steelers cycled through their signal-callers SI. Ultimately, the late-game execution belonged to Buffalo, whose 2-point conversion put Pittsburgh's comeback attempt beyond reach.
Special Teams Issues and Hoecht's Injury Return Cloud Outlook
Ray Davis' muffed punt on his first return surfaced concerns about Buffalo's punt return unit heading into the regular season WIVB. The miscue gave Pittsburgh prime field position at the Bills' 13-yard line, though Davis responded with a 12-yard return attempt to show resilience under pressure.
Michael Hoecht made his preseason debut for Buffalo, a significant marker in his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon SI. The veteran defensive lineman, who signed with the Bills in March 2025, appears ahead of schedule—a potential boost for a defensive line that needs proven depth heading into September.
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