Game recap Bills vs Steelers Week 13: top plays, standout players, injuries and emotions from Bills fans

1. Overview of Bills vs Steelers Week 13

The Buffalo Bills secured a crucial 26-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season at Acrisure Stadium. The win moved Buffalo to 8-4 and kept them firmly in the AFC playoff race, while the Steelers dropped to 6-6 and fell out of the postseason picture.

Despite a slow and mistake filled first half, the Bills exploded after halftime, scoring twenty three unanswered points and completely shutting down the Steelers offense in the final two quarters.

2. Game flow: Bills flip the script with a dominant second half

First half: Bills mistakes give Steelers momentum

Buffalo stumbled early. Josh Allen threw an interception, and James Cook fumbled twice, one of which was recovered by linebacker Patrick Queen.

Pittsburgh capitalized with a one yard touchdown run by Jaylen Warren to go up 7-0.
The Bills answered only with a late field goal and trailed 7-3 at halftime after a frustrating opening thirty minutes.

Second half: Bills crush Steelers with twenty three straight points

After the break, everything changed.

James Cook delivered multiple explosive runs, helping Buffalo seize control of the clock and the tempo.
Josh Allen led efficient drives using both his arm and legs.

The Bills scored twenty three unanswered points in the second half, overwhelming Pittsburgh on both sides of the ball and closing out a dominant 26-7 win.

3. Top plays of the game

Josh Allen breaks Cam Newton’s rushing touchdown record

The defining moment came when Josh Allen ran into the end zone for a touchdown, officially becoming the quarterback with the most rushing touchdowns in NFL history.
It was not only a momentum shifting play but also a historic milestone for the Bills franchise.

James Cook’s explosive runs tear apart the Pittsburgh defense

James Cook recorded more than one hundred seventy total yards, repeatedly shredding the Steelers with big gains of twenty to thirty yards. His cuts, speed and patience were key to Buffalo’s second half takeover.

Christian Benford’s defensive touchdown changes everything

One of the most pivotal plays came on defense. After a strip sack on Aaron Rodgers, cornerback Christian Benford scooped up the ball and ran it in for a defensive touchdown.
The play widened the lead and completely broke the Steelers’ morale.

Brandin Cooks records his first catch as a Buffalo Bill

Veteran receiver Brandin Cooks also made his presence felt with a thirteen yard catch, his first reception in a Bills uniform.

4. Standout players of the game

James Cook

The engine of the Bills offense in Week 13, Cook crossed the one hundred seventy yard mark and controlled the pace of the game. His impact on the ground allowed Buffalo to dominate time of possession and wear down Pittsburgh’s defense.

Josh Allen

One passing touchdown, one rushing touchdown, a broken NFL record and a commanding second half performance.
After early mistakes, Allen bounced back with poise and proved once again why he is one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in football.

Christian Benford

With an interception and a defensive touchdown, Benford had one of the best games of his career.
He anchored a Buffalo defense that held the Steelers scoreless for the final three quarters.

5. Injury updates

Aaron Rodgers bloodied after strip sack

Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was shaken up after a violent strip sack. He left the field briefly due to bleeding from his mouth but later returned. Despite reentering the game, he could not overcome Buffalo’s defensive pressure.

Patrick Queen injures his hip

After recovering a fumble early in the game, linebacker Patrick Queen exited with a hip injury, leaving Pittsburgh short handed on defense.

Pre game absences hit both teams

The Steelers were without left tackle Broderick Jones, who was placed on Injured Reserve due to a neck injury.

The Bills were also missing several key names including linebacker Terrel Bernard, left tackle Dion Dawkins, receiver Joshua Palmer and defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis. Tight end Dalton Kincaid remained questionable with a hamstring issue.

6. Bills Mafia take over Pittsburgh

Even on the road, Bills Mafia made their presence felt.
Every big play from Buffalo was met with loud roars throughout Acrisure Stadium.
As the Bills surged in the second half, Steelers fans grew quieter while the blue and red sections celebrated wildly.

For many Bills fans, the momentum shift felt like a potential turning point in Buffalo’s playoff push.

7. What this win means for the Buffalo Bills

The victory was important on several levels.

• It pushed the Bills to 8-4 and strengthened their AFC playoff positioning.

The Bills delivered one of their most complete performances of the season when they needed it most.