Buffalo Bills lead Pittsburgh Steelers 7-3 — second-half open thread

Through 30 minutes of play, the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers have battled things out in exactly the fashion most people expected. Both teams are playing great defense and, as a result, both offenses are struggling to move the ball. The Bills lead, 7-3.

Buffalo began with the ball, but they punted after gaining only 28 yards on six plays. Pittsburgh followed with a seven-play drive that ended with a Tre’Davious White interception on a third-and-long. Buffalo was unable to capitalize, however, as they punted after only five plays.

The first salvo was truly fired on the next drive. After Pittsburgh went three-and-out, Pittsburgh punter Jordan Berry uncorked a 22-yard dud, putting Buffalo in prime position on the Pittsburgh 40-yard line. Nine plays later, Josh Allen ran in a one-yard touchdown and Stephen Hauschka hit the extra point to give the Bills a 7-0 lead.

Quarterback Devlin Hodges hit on a big play on Pittsburgh’s next play from scrimmage—a 34-yard strike to James Washington that put the Steelers in Buffalo territory. That drive ended with a 49-yard Chris Boswell field goal, drawing the Steelers to 7-3.

The teams traded punts on their next two drives, and then Josh Allen turned the ball over on a high pass to Cole Beasley. The ball glanced off Beasley’s hands and into the waiting arms of Steven Nelson, who returned it to the Bills’ 20-yard line. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Tremaine Edmunds was called for a phantom face mask penalty, but all was made right on the next play when Pittsburgh fumbled on a wildcat play. Buffalo recovered and was able to run out the clock.

Allen is 9-of-16 for 64 yards and an interception, and he is playing better than Hodges, who is just 5-of-11 for 43 yards, 34 of which came on one play. Devin Singletary has 13 carries for 52 yards, while James Conner has rushed five times for just 17 yards.

The second half is set to begin shortly. Use this as your thread, Bills fans. Hopefully, at our next transmission, we’ll be talking about playoff berths. Go Bills!