5 takeaways from the Bills' 26-7 win over the Steelers

5 takeaways from the Bills' 26-7 win over the SteelersStory byNick Wojton, USA TODAYMon, December 1, 2025 at 4:51 AM UTC·2 min read

The Buffalo Bills entered their Week 13 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers staring potential doom right in the face.

The Bills (8-4) were nearly as shorthanded as one team could be, particularly on offense, heading into Sunday. Instead of that happening, Buffalo left Pittsburgh with a 26-7 win.

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How did they pull it off?

Here are Bills Wire's five takeaways from the Bills' win over the Steelers:

Overcoming injuries

Nov 30, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; The Buffalo Bills prepare to snap the ball during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Bills fans woke up on Sunday morning knowing their roster was going to be short several starters, most notably, both starting offensive tackles in Spencer Brown (shoulder) and Dion Dawkins (concussion) were ruled out. Then wide receiver Josh Palmer (ankle) and tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring), who were listed as questionable, also did not suit up.

All that? These resilient Bills still won.

Still making mistakes

Nov 30, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) looks to pass during the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

A Bills victory, but let's get the ugly out of the way: Turnovers still need to stop.

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Right out of the gate, quarterback Josh Allen threw an interception. Running back James Cook had a weird fumble as well when he knocked the ball out from his own hands with his knee.

Another game Cooked

Nov 30, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III (4) rushes during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Between Allen and Cook, it was the rusher who led the way for the Bills offense in the end.

Cook not only had a casual 144 rushing yards, he added 33 more on three catches. The Steelers defense did not have any answer for him.

Nothing allowed in the air

Nov 30, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks to pass as Buffalo Bills defensive end AJ Epenesa (57) defends during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Defensively, the Bills did not allow quarterback Aaron Rodgers to move the ball at all through the air. Playing through a wrist injury, Rodgers, the QB barely surpassed 100 passing yards (117). Buffalo pass rush did a solid job as well, including a strip-sack from Joey Bosa.

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Benford takes it away

Nov 30, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford (47) intercepts a pass intended for Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

That fumble from Bosa was scooped up by cornerback Christian Benford. Then Benford went on to notch an interception as well.

Benford was the star the Bills thought he was when he was going to be this offseason when signing him to a long-term extension.

This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 5 takeaways from the Bills' 26-7 win over the Steelers

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