Another strong start on offense helps Steelers romp past Buffalo

Two series, two more touchdowns for Kenny Pickett and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-team offense.

A week after leading a touchdown drive on the only possession he played, the second-year quarterback doubled his productivity in a 27-15 victory against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium.

Pickett presided over one long touchdown drive and then another that lasted all of one play during his brief appearance in the Steelers’ second preseason game.

“It’s good to see all the work coming into the games pay off,” Pickett said. “We put a lot of time in together, so you want to come out and put points up, and that’s what we’re doing. We need to continue that and push for perfection.”

A week earlier, Pickett played 10 snaps and exited after leading the offense on an 83-yard touchdown march. The plan this week was for Pickett to double his series. Because of the offense’s efficiency, he actually logged just seven snaps against the Bills. He completed 3 of 4 passes for 43 yards, capping his night with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Pat Freiermuth.

“It went well and as good as we hoped,” Pickett said. “Every time you get out there, you want to put points on the board.”

It also was a good night for some of the Steelers’ rookie draft picks. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. had one of the Steelers’ three interceptions, and outside linebacker Nick Herbig had a sack that forced a fumble and a pass deflection.

The defense finished with four turnovers that the offense turned into 13 points.

Related:

• Feats of Strength: Steelers first-teamers decidedly win 'sparring session' against Bills
• Damar Hamlin soaks in return to Pittsburgh — and Steelers, fans return the love
• In 1st game for Steelers, Joey Porter Jr. has an INT, then gives ball to Steelers legend father

“We were playing fast, playing confident,” said outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who also played just two series. “We looked like we were locked away for 28 days together, just how we were jelling defensively. We were flying around, having fun, playing with a swag.”

Coach Mike Tomlin limited his starters’ playing time because of the Steelers playing their third and final preseason game five days later at Atlanta.

“It was going pretty well,” Tomlin said. “That’s why we got the first units out of the game relatively early.”

Mitch Trubisky entered in the third series and completed 10 of 14 passes for 78 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Connor Heyward.

The game began with the Steelers moving 86 yards in six plays. An 8-yard completion to George Pickens on second down moved the chains, and a 10-yard pass to Allen Robinson on third down kept the drive going.

On the next play, the sixth of the opening possession, backup running back Jaylen Warren bolted through a hole in the left side. Taking advantage of a gap between tackle Dan Moore and guard Isaac Seumalo, Warren didn’t stop until he reached the end zone 62 yards away, breaking an ankle tackle attempt along the way. It was Warren’s only carry of the game.

After the first-team defense forced a three-and-out against Bills starting quarterback Josh Allen, Calvin Austin wiggled for 54 yards on a punt return, setting up the offense at the 25. Pickett came out throwing and found Freiermuth down the middle. With his back to the end zone, Freiermuth caught the ball at the 3 and backed in for the score that made it 14-0 with 10 minutes, 37 seconds left in the first quarter.

Making their preseason debut on defense were Watt, Cameron Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Damontae Kazee and Patrick Peterson. All but Kazee exited after the second series.

Outside linebacker Alex Highsmith, who stayed on the field a bit longer, broke up a pass and tackled Allen for a 6-yard loss to force a punt on the third series.

Free agent addition Cole Holcomb, playing his first home game at inside linebacker, helped thwart Buffalo’s best scoring chance of the first half. The Bills were at the Steelers 10 in the second quarter when quarterback Matt Barkley threw for the end zone. Holcomb got his hands on the ball and deflected it to safety Elijah Riley for the interception.

The second interception went to Porter, who made his debut after sitting out the opener with an ankle injury. Porter corralled Barkley’s underthrown pass at the 30, and the Steelers took over at the Bills 13 with 1:06 left in the half. Tomlin pulled Porter in the third quarter, but he said the second-round pick will see extended action against Atlanta.

“We can’t get him enough snaps,” Tomlin said. “We’ll be working our tails off to make up for last week’s missed opportunities. I like what he did, but we have to see a lot more, he has to see a lot more. There is no substitute for snap exposure.”

After running back Anthony McFarland couldn’t get into the end zone on three tries from the 1, Trubisky found Heyward for a 3-yard touchdown for a 21-0 lead with 0:03 left in the half.

The Steelers’ third interception came on the second play of the third quarter when slot corner Chandon Sullivan deflected a Barkley pass and caught it at the Buffalo 13. This set up Chris Boswell’s 35-yard field goal for a 24-0 lead.

Herbig’s sack of Barkley on Buffalo’s next possession forced a fumble that Tanner Muse recovered at the Steelers 43. That turnover led to Boswell’s 39-yard field goal.

The shutout ended early in the fourth quarter after the Steelers’ first turnover. Kendrick Green, trying to win a roster spot as the backup center, had a snap that zipped past No. 3 quarterback Mason Rudolph and was recovered by the Bills at the Steelers 2.

Jordan Mims scored on the next play to make it 27-7.

“Not good enough,” Tomlin said about Green. “Routine things routinely is what we expect, and it doesn’t get any more fundamental than C-Q exchanges.”