If there’s one thing Buffalo Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam is good for, it’s forcing turnovers in the playoffs. Last season, he intercepted Miami Dolphins backup quarterback Skylar Thompson in the Wild Card Round. On Monday, he once again went big-game hunting against a backup quarterback.
On the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first drive of the second quarter, quarterback Mason Rudolph had a goal-to-go situation to try and cut Buffalo’s lead to 14-7. Instead, he found Elam in the corner of the end zone. The interception shifted momentum, at least for those who believe in it, and the Steelers wouldn’t recover. Buffalo advanced to the Divisional Round, beating a visiting Pittsburgh team, 31-17.
Simply put, the big play was a long time coming for Elam. Dealing with a foot injury that sapped his athleticism, along with inconsistent play, Elam appeared in just three regular season games – most recently in Week 7.
Yet, when trade-deadline acquisition cornerback Rasul Douglas couldn’t go for Monday’s playoff game, it was Elam who stepped up. Even within the game, he saw some struggles. He was beaten twice on the drive, including a defensive pass interference penalty. Elam stayed locked in and changed the game soon after.
“Everything I’ve been through has made me stronger,” Elam told reporters after the game. “So I didn’t let those two plays really affect me. Earlier in the year, I’d probably let things affect me. My whole story, I’ve grown mentally stronger.”
The interception was a meaningful one, not only for the Bills’ chance to host the Kansas City Chiefs next week but for Elam as well. To be able to showcase the growth he’s spent a season cultivating, on such a big stage, is a testament to his character – at least according to head coach Sean McDermott.
“Mental skill that it takes to stay confident and believing in yourself and then go out and execute … It was a big play for us,” McDermott said.
Elam, a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, hasn’t lived up to expectations in Buffalo. His splash plays may not be a true profit, but to do so off the bench is impressive in itself. For now, the only thing left to do is continue to make an impact and earn the playing time he sacrificed this season.
“Still a bust,” Elam joked. “Just trying to make plays … Just had to reset mentally and just go out there and play the game I know I can play.”
He’ll have another shot to change the Bills’ fate when Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes comes to Orchard Park for the first time in his playoff career.
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