Plays that defined 2020: Week 14—Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills

What if someone told you they had the audacity to miss a Buffalo Bills game? What if you could show them one play, and one play only, to recap the whole thing? What play would you choose? Welcome to Plays that defined 2020...

Week 14: Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills were hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers. Always an exciting matchup, this one featured the 9-3 Bills against an 11-1 Steelers unit. Pittsburgh’s lone loss had been the week prior, what many considered to be a fluke defeat to the 4-7 Washington Football Team. Surely they wouldn’t drop two in a row? Well, they did.

Failed Pittsburgh third down (Q1, 14:14)

I throw this out a lot because when you lead the league in such a critical stat I think it speaks volumes. Buffalo led the league in 2020 with a third-down conversion rate just shy of 50 percent (and had exactly 50 percent in this game). Pittsburgh converted just one in this game—in ten tries. Was it Steelers miscues or excellent play by the Bills? The answer is “yes.”

Taron Johnson interception (Q2, 0:52)

Despite Pittsburgh’s difficulties they did manage a first-half touchdown. The Bills had their own struggles, only getting on the scoreboard with a Tyler Bass field goal...until this happened anyway. Rather than the Steelers potentially adding to their lead before the half, Taron Johnson jumped the route and ran it back for six. Bass didn’t make it seven unfortunately, but this play felt like a nine-point swing minimum.

Stefon Diggs touchdown (Q3, 10:28)

On the first drive of the third quarter Buffalo’s offense came alive. The setup of this throw from Josh Allen to Stefon Diggs was highly likely to get the first down. Not satisfied with that, Diggs took it all the way in. This was the first of two touchdowns in the third quarter that put the Bills up by what became an insurmountable lead.

Levi Wallace interception (Q4, 7:17)

The Steelers managed to find the end zone a second time, but were still down by 11. With about half of the fourth quarter remaining they needed to get something going. They did, but the something was another failed third down thanks to Levi Wallace.

Zack Moss third-down conversion (Q4, 1:08)

With a bit over seven minutes on the clock and up two scores, the Bills just needed to burn some time to prevent a Steelers comeback. They burned up clock all right. All. Of. It. This Zack Moss run was the last “not kneeling” play. The Bills had earned their coffee.

It’s time to vote for the play that defined the game. Remember, it’s the play that best tells the overall story of this contest, not necessarily a favorite play or best highlight.

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