Takeaways: Embarrassing loss for Steelers against Bills

Steel City Underground presents post-game takeaways following each 2025 NFL regular season game that focuses on how the Pittsburgh Steelers performed, key statistics, their opponents and more! 

The Pittsburgh Steelers exited Week 13 with one of the most embarrassing losses of the 2025 NFL regular season, handing the Buffalo Bills – a team that has been a bit on the ropes lately – an easy 26-7 victory. We look at what got the Steelers off their script and offer  takeaways from the game.

Inability to stop the run on defense

Despite both teams being unable to get into the end zone in the first quarter, a trend developed from that point forward that made the Steelers defense look the worst it has in years: an inability to stop the run. In our game preview we said,

“Hemming in the offensive production on the ground by limiting rushing yards will force Josh Allen to attempt more passes; it’s a formula that relies on solid defensive planning from defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.”

What Steelers fans witnessed was a Pittsburgh defense that was rarely in a 3-4 base (even on run plays), did not set the edge, and was repeatedly pummeled by nearly identical rushing plays by the Bills. Over and over, and over again. If James Cook III wasn’t blasting inside, he was hitting the bounce to get outside where only a Pittsburgh cornerback typically had a play on him.

Pittsburgh gave up 249 rushing yards to the Buffalo offense, and Cook earned 144 of them. Josh Allen was also allowed to set the NFL record for touchdown runs by a quarterback when he scored his 76th career rushing TD at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday.

The lack of adjustment falls on the shoulders of the Steelers coaching staff; the lack of execution on the players who had a game plan all week leading up to the game to stop the run. The flag Cameron Heyward said needed to be planted? It wasn’t.

What good did the Brandin Echols interception in the first quarter and the Nick Herbig forced fumble in the second quarter equate to? 7 points.

Rodgers, Rudolph both struggle

Aaron Rodgers got the start but he struggled to find targets to pass to when the run game with Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell stalled-out. Jonnu Smith missed a signal and ran the wrong route, resulting in a missed opportunity for a touchdown. Pat Freiermuth was essentially ignored.

Out of ten catches made by Steelers players, just 3 were made by a wide receiver (D.K. Metcalf). Darnell Washington led the offense in receiving yards with 45 on two catches.

When Mason Rudolph entered the game after Rodgers suffered an injury after he was strip-sacked (Buffalo scored a touchdown on the play due to the fumble recovery), he threw an interception on his fourth play of the series.

The offense was not clicking, even after Rodgers returned with his nose taped up. The Steelers gained just 58 total rushing yards in this game and 108 yards through the air. Warren’s 1-yard touchdown was the lone score as Pittsburgh’s offense could not formulate long drives or successful conversions.

Final thoughts

The Steelers have had issues here and there all season. Sunday’s Week 13 loss, though, was one of the most embarrassing performances the team has had in years. Mike Tomlin and his staff will remain on the hot seat.

Tied with the Baltimore Ravens – who the Steelers face next – with a 6-6 record means the AFC North title is still up for grabs, but Pittsburgh would need to completely retool their offensive and defensive game plans to get back on track in December.