Location:Ralph Wilson Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
Preseason records:Buffalo (2-1), Pittsburgh (1-3)
In a Nutshell:Fred Jackson and EJ Manuel got the offense off to a fast start with touchdown plays on the team's first two possessions, and the offensive success was sustained throughout on a day in which they rolled up more than 500 net yards. Though the lead changed back and forth a few times in the first half with Pittsburgh, Buffalo pulled away with 30 unanswered points en route to posting a 43-19 win.
All three of Buffalo's quarterbacks fared well in the game. EJ Manuel got the start and went 7-8 passing for 170 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Matt Cassel was in the game second and went 7-8 passing for 38 yards. Tyrod Taylor entered the game third and as 12-13 passing for 122 yards and ran for a 20-yard score.
Jackson, Taylor, Charles Clay, Ricky Seale, Tobais Palmer and Chris Gragg all had touchdowns for Buffalo in the game.
Buffalo's defense held the Steelers to under 50 yards rushing in the game (43) and just a 27 percent conversion rate on third down (3-11). Preston Brown, Corbin Bryant and Manny Lawson all logged sacks in the game.
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How it went down: **--Buffalo got points on their opening drive after the defense forced Pittsburgh three-and-out to start the game. Given excellent field position at the Pittsburgh 43, Fred Jackson did the rest ripping off a 41-yard run on 1st-and-10 down to the two. Two plays later he made a one-yard leap into the end zone for a touchdown.
--Pittsburgh answered on the ensuing possession, which was helped by a 35-yard pass interference penalty against Buffalo. DeAngelo Williams capped the five-play 80-yard with a one-yard run. He also scored on a two-point conversion attempt to give the Steelers a one-point lead (8-7) with 10:41 left in opening quarter.
--EJ Manuel led another quick scoring drive, hitting Charles Clay down the seam after a linebacker in coverage fell down. Clay went 67 yards for a touchdown, but the Bills two-point conversion failed giving Buffalo a five-point advantage (13-8).
--Back and forth it went with the Steelers putting together a field goal drive getting a 28-yarder from Garrett Hartley to make it a two-point game (13-11).
--Pittsburgh would re-take the lead with 5:36 left in the first half on a 39-yard catch and run to the end zone by Martavis Bryant. Landry Jones then hit Sammie Coates for a two-point conversion to give the Steelers a six-point edge (19-13).
--Rookie RB Ricky Seale would give Buffalo the lead back again on a one-yard run to finish off an 11-play 80-yard drive (20-19).
--Buffalo then put together a short field goal drive together at the end of the half as Dan Carpenter put a 52-yard attempt up and through for a four-point lead as time expired in the first half (23-19).
--The Bills scored on their third consecutive possession to start the second half when Tyrod Taylor went 5-for-5 passing for 44 yards and then scrambled 20 yards to the end zone for a touchdown to give Buffalo its largest lead of the game (29-19) with 9:09 left in the third quarter. The extra point was missed.
--EJ Manuel came back into the game with the second offensive unit and made quick work of Pittsburgh's defense. He finished the quick three-play drive with a 37-yard strike to Tobais Palmer in the end zone for a 36-19 edge.
--Chris Gragg capped the scoring on a 14-yard catch and run from Matt Simms for the final touchdown of the game in a 43-19 win.
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Subplots: **EJ Manuel was 7-8 passing for 170 yards and two touchdowns. He had a perfect passer rating of 158.3.
Matt Cassel was 6-7 passing for 38 yards on two offensive series and had a passer rating of 89.3.
Tyrod Taylor went 12-13 passing for 122 yards and a 105.8 passer rating. He also ran for a 20-yard touchdown.
Starting CB Stephon Gilmore left the game in the first half and was being evaluated for a concussion. He was cleared of a concussion, but was ruled out for the game with a shoulder injury. Safety Aaron Williams exited with a lower leg injury, but returned to the game.
Rookie LB Tony Steward left the game with a knee injury and did not return.
WRs Marcus Thigpen (lower back) and Austin Willis (head) both left the game with injuries in the second half and did not return.
Marcell Dareus was a late scratch right before the game with a sore leg.
Inactives:WR Robert Woods, WR Sammy Watkins, WR Chris Hogan, WR Percy Harvin, RB LeSean McCoy, RB Boobie Dixon, CB Ross Cockrell, RB Bryce Brown, RB Karlos Williams, CB Cam Thomas, WR Deonte Thompson.
Up next:The Bills close out the preseason in Detroit on Thursday, Sept. 3rd against the Lions. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm.
