‘Bills Mafia’ a significant presence at Heinz Field in win over Steelers

Usually, it’s Steelers Nation that’s lauded for its tendency to pack opposing team’s stadiums.

Sunday night, it was Bills Mafia that took over Heinz Field.

Several thousand Buffalo Bills fans made the trip to Pittsburgh, and they left happy after a 17-10 victory by their team clinched the franchise’s second playoff berth over its past 20 seasons.

Little pregame catch with #BillsMafia!#BUFvsPIT | #GoBills pic.twitter.com/GIa5MPj3XW

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 16, 2019

Blotches of red and blue were seen throughout Heinz Field, and after Buffalo touchdowns and takeaways, the cheering was audibly louder, perhaps, than it has been in several years for a visiting team in Pittsburgh.

At one point late in the game when the Steelers were driving for a potential tying score, players and others on the Bills sideline turned to face the crowd and motioned their arms with palms up in an effort for fans to make noise.

Sure enough, a loud sustained cheer was heard — enough so that injured Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had to motion the opposite (palms down) to get silence for his team’s offense.

“They’re great fans, man,” veteran Buffalo running back Frank Gore said. “We play hard for them, and I’m just happy we got the win.

“Let’s go Buffalo. Let’s go.”

The only people left at Heinz Field. Our people.#BillsMafia | #GoBills pic.twitter.com/7mkwMt4Sr3

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 16, 2019

Steelers road games this season, in particular, at the Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals had the feel of “Heinz Field West” with more Steelers fans than those of the home team at those respective facilities.

Sunday was the final game of the season at Heinz Field, and the loss assured that the Steelers cannot host a playoff game there.

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