The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a 26-7 defeat to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, dropping to 6-6 and tying the Baltimore Ravens atop the AFC North. Leading 7-3 at halftime, Pittsburgh collapsed in the second half, allowing 23 unanswered points amid defensive lapses and offensive struggles. Frustrated fans booed and chanted 'Fire Tomlin' throughout Acrisure Stadium, prompting coach Mike Tomlin to acknowledge their disappointment.
The Steelers' Week 13 loss highlighted ongoing issues on both sides of the ball. Buffalo racked up a stadium-record 249 rushing yards, exploiting Pittsburgh's run defense with repeated outside-zone plays that star linebacker T.J. Watt called frustrating. 'I've never seen a team run the same play as much as they ran it tonight and had as much success as they had,' Watt said postgame.
Offensively, Aaron Rodgers, returning from a fractured left wrist and playing with a cast, completed 10 of 21 passes for 117 yards. A strip-sack by Joey Bosa resulted in a touchdown for Buffalo early in the second half, shifting momentum. Rodgers finished with two turnovers, including an interception by Mason Rudolph, and the team managed just 166 total yards and 58 on the ground. Tight end Darnell Washington led with two catches for 45 yards, while DK Metcalf had 32 yards on five targets. Rodgers noted miscommunications with receivers, emphasizing the need for better film sessions: 'When there's film sessions, everybody shows up, and when I check to a route, you do the right route.'
Injuries compounded the woes, with linebacker Patrick Queen exiting after a hit on Bills QB Josh Allen. Defensive lineman Cam Heyward accused Allen of intentionally kneeing him in the stomach, saying, 'It just pisses me off.'
The defeat amplified scrutiny on Tomlin, in his 19th season. Fans' 'Fire Tomlin' chants and early exits marked a low point, with analyst Dan Hanzus questioning if it was the nadir of Tomlin's era. Tomlin responded, 'I share their frustration tonight. We didn't do enough.' Despite speculation, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport stated there's 'no scenario' for Tomlin's firing, citing his contract through 2027 and strong ties to owner Art Rooney II. Steelers LB Payton Wilson expressed confidence that leaders like Tomlin and Cam Heyward would prevent a snowball effect.
Pittsburgh faces Baltimore next, with two divisional games left to reclaim first place.