With the 2025 season approaching, Steelers.com is revisiting past games against upcoming opponents. This time, they highlight a game against the Buffalo Bills.
On September 12, 2021, at Highmark Stadium, the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Buffalo Bills 23-16. The match saw unexpected heroes emerge in Orchard Park, New York.
Special teams coordinator Danny Smith emphasized “splash plays” to his unit and was rewarded with two pivotal moments in one play. In the fourth quarter, with the Steelers leading 13-10, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward sacked Bills quarterback Josh Allen. This set up a critical fourth-and-12 for Bills punter Matt Haack.
Safety Miles Killebrew blocked Haack’s punt. Linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III then recovered it and returned it nine yards for a touchdown, extending Pittsburgh’s lead to 20-10.
“It was a big play for us,” said Killebrew. “It was a moment in the game where it was a big momentum shift… I just happened to be at the point of attack.”
Gilbert commented on his role: “It was a play we had been running all week in practice and just a lot of effort and great execution… I just picked it up and ran to the end zone.”
The special teams’ performance redeemed their earlier setback when they allowed a 75-yard return on the opening kickoff that led to a Bills field goal. At halftime, they regrouped as a unit and aimed to make an impactful play.
“This is a team where we take things like that personal,” said Killebrew regarding their resolve after giving up early points.
The Steelers started slowly but turned things around quickly. Their defense shut down Buffalo while their offense improved in the second half, securing victory and starting their season with a win.
Coach Mike Tomlin anticipated challenges from both environmental factors and new players adjusting on offense. He acknowledged difficulties faced during warmups when Robert Spillane got injured unexpectedly: “Buddy Johnson got an opportunity to play in his first NFL game; he didn’t even anticipate doing so.”
Tomlin praised his team’s effort: “It’s a great team victory… Hopefully it’s a sign of what we’re capable of from a will standpoint.”
