Buffalo Bills vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats
The buffalo bills vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats from the 2026 NFL preseason Week 3 meeting provide a detailed look at how both teams produced offense, defended the field, and created scoring opportunities in a 28-27 Buffalo victory. The game was played at Highmark Stadium, with Buffalo entering the matchup unbeaten in the preseason and Pittsburgh looking to close its exhibition schedule strongly. NFL’s official schedule records the game as a 28-27 Buffalo win on August 27, 2026. (NFL)
Although preseason statistics should not be treated exactly like regular-season production, this matchup offers plenty to study. Buffalo moved the ball through a high-volume passing attack from Shane Buechele, while Pittsburgh divided quarterback work between Drew Allar and Will Howard. The Steelers also found several ways to create explosive special-teams plays, including a punt-return touchdown by Kaden Wetjen.
The final score tells only part of the story. Buffalo produced 266 total yards compared with Pittsburgh’s 232, held the ball for 32:22, and ran 65 offensive plays to Pittsburgh’s 59. At the same time, both teams finished with one turnover, while Pittsburgh’s return game created significant field position and a touchdown.
Game Overview
The matchup was the third preseason game for both teams. Buffalo finished the preseason 3-0, while Pittsburgh ended 1-2. The official NFL schedule confirms the Week 3 result as Pittsburgh 27, Buffalo 28. (NFL)
The game was unusually competitive for a preseason contest. Pittsburgh led 14-3 after the first quarter and still held a 21-17 advantage entering the fourth quarter. Buffalo then scored 11 fourth-quarter points to complete the comeback.
The scoring sequence also shows how quickly the game changed.
Pittsburgh received two touchdown passes from Will Howard in the first half, including scoring connections with Germie Bernard and Lake McRee. Buffalo responded with rushing touchdowns from Frank Gore Jr. and, later, Skyler Bell and Ian Wheeler.
The decisive stretch came late. Buffalo scored a 42-yard field goal from Tyler Bass, then Ian Wheeler scored a rushing touchdown with 1:09 remaining. Buffalo followed that touchdown with a successful two-point conversion, giving the Bills their final 28-27 advantage.
That sequence is important when interpreting the buffalo bills vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats, because the final margin was only one point despite both teams producing different types of offensive and special-teams production.
Buffalo Bills vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats: Team Comparison
The overall team numbers reveal a game that was fairly close statistically.
| Category | Buffalo Bills | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Final Score | 28 | 27 |
| Total Yards | 266 | 232 |
| Offensive Plays | 65 | 59 |
| Yards Per Play | 4.1 | 3.9 |
| Rushing Attempts | 24 | 23 |
| Rushing Yards | 89 | 97 |
| Passing Yards | 196 | 135 |
| Time of Possession | 32:22 | 27:38 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Penalties | 6 | 5 |
| Penalty Yards | 43 | 70 |
The biggest statistical difference came through the passing game.
Buffalo generated 196 passing yards, while Pittsburgh finished with 135. Pittsburgh, however, gained more rushing yards, 97 to Buffalo’s 89.
This created an interesting contrast. Buffalo had the stronger passing output and more total offensive plays, while Pittsburgh was slightly more productive on the ground.
The possession figures also matter. Buffalo controlled the ball for 32:22, nearly five minutes longer than Pittsburgh. That additional possession time helped the Bills run six more offensive plays.
Neither side completely dominated the statistical battle. Instead, Buffalo gained an advantage through volume and passing production while Pittsburgh created explosive moments through rushing, passing touchdowns, and the return game.
Buffalo Passing Performance
Shane Buechele was Buffalo’s primary quarterback in this matchup.
He completed 26 of 38 passes for 196 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per attempt. He threw no touchdowns and no interceptions, and he was sacked three times for 19 yards.
His completion percentage was approximately 68.4%, which reflects a high-completion, controlled passing performance.
The most important aspect of Buechele’s night was volume. He attempted 38 passes, considerably more than either Pittsburgh quarterback individually.
That allowed Buffalo to distribute the ball across several players.
Buechele’s passing line:
- Completions: 26
- Attempts: 38
- Completion rate: 68.4%
- Passing yards: 196
- Average: 5.2 yards per attempt
- Touchdowns: 0
- Interceptions: 0
- Sacks: 3
- Sack yards: 19
- Passer rating: 80.6
The absence of a passing touchdown should not obscure the role he played in Buffalo’s offensive production. Buffalo scored all three of its offensive touchdowns on the ground, while Buechele helped sustain drives and distribute the ball.
Pittsburgh Quarterback Statistics
Pittsburgh used both Drew Allar and Will Howard.
Allar completed 9 of 18 passes for 88 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per attempt. He did not throw a touchdown or interception and was not sacked.
Howard completed 9 of 15 passes for 69 yards, averaging 4.6 yards per attempt. He threw two touchdowns and one interception and was sacked three times for 22 yards.
Combined, the Steelers completed 18 of 33 passes for 135 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception.
Drew Allar
Allar’s statistics were:
- 9 completions
- 18 attempts
- 88 yards
- 4.9 yards per attempt
- 0 touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
- 0 sacks
- 64.1 passer rating
His 88 passing yards represented the largest individual passing total for Pittsburgh.
Will Howard
Howard’s statistical profile was different.
He produced:
- 9 completions
- 15 attempts
- 69 yards
- 4.6 yards per attempt
- 2 touchdowns
- 1 interception
- 3 sacks
- 22 sack yards
- 83.1 passer rating
Howard was directly involved in both Pittsburgh passing touchdowns.
His first touchdown pass went to Germie Bernard for 13 yards. Later, he connected with Lake McRee for a five-yard score.
That makes Howard particularly relevant when reviewing the scoring portion of the buffalo bills vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats.
Pittsburgh Rushing Leaders
Pittsburgh ran the ball 23 times for 97 yards, an average of 4.2 yards per attempt.
Lew Nichols led the Steelers with 40 rushing yards on seven carries.
His numbers:
- 7 carries
- 40 yards
- 5.7 yards per carry
- 11-yard long
- 0 touchdowns
Eli Heidenreich followed with nine carries for 35 yards, averaging 3.9 yards per carry. He scored Pittsburgh’s rushing touchdown on a nine-yard run.
Travis Homer recorded two carries for 11 yards, while Kaleb Johnson had five carries for 11 yards.
Pittsburgh rushing breakdown
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
| Lew Nichols | 7 | 40 | 5.7 | 0 | 11 |
| Eli Heidenreich | 9 | 35 | 3.9 | 1 | 9 |
| Travis Homer | 2 | 11 | 5.5 | 0 | 6 |
| Kaleb Johnson | 5 | 11 | 2.2 | 0 | 6 |
| Team | 23 | 97 | 4.2 | 1 | 11 |
Nichols produced the best rushing average among Pittsburgh’s primary ball carriers, while Heidenreich received the most carries and scored the team’s rushing touchdown.
Buffalo Rushing Leaders
Buffalo’s rushing production was lower than Pittsburgh’s in total yardage, but the Bills scored three rushing touchdowns.
Skyler Bell provided the game’s most explosive rushing play for Buffalo.
Bell carried the ball once for 28 yards and a touchdown, averaging 28.0 yards per carry.
Frank Gore Jr. carried 10 times for 27 yards and a touchdown. Ian Wheeler added nine carries for 23 yards and a touchdown.
Shane Buechele also recorded four carries for 11 yards.
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
| Skyler Bell | 1 | 28 | 28.0 | 1 | 28 |
| Frank Gore Jr. | 10 | 27 | 2.7 | 1 | 10 |
| Ian Wheeler | 9 | 23 | 2.6 | 1 | 6 |
| Shane Buechele | 4 | 11 | 2.8 | 0 | 9 |
| Team | 24 | 89 | 3.7 | 3 | 28 |
The contrast between the teams is striking.
Pittsburgh averaged 4.2 yards per rushing attempt but scored only one rushing touchdown. Buffalo averaged 3.7 yards per attempt but scored three rushing touchdowns.
That is a good reminder that yards per carry and scoring efficiency measure different things.
Skyler Bell’s Impact
Skyler Bell deserves special attention in any detailed review of this game.
His rushing line was spectacular on limited volume: one carry, 28 yards, and a touchdown.
He also led Buffalo in receptions, catching seven passes for 49 yards on 10 targets.
That means Bell finished with eight offensive touches and 77 combined rushing and receiving yards.
His receiving average was 7.0 yards per catch, and his longest reception went for 16 yards.
The official NFL recap specifically highlighted Bell’s first preseason appearance, noting his 28-yard rushing touchdown and seven receptions on 10 targets. (NFL)
This is one of the clearest examples of why individual player statistics need to be viewed in context. Bell did not need a large number of rushing attempts to make an impact. His value came from being involved in different parts of the offensive design.
Buffalo Receiving Statistics
Buffalo’s receivers combined for 26 receptions and 196 yards.
Skyler Bell led the team in receptions with seven.
Frank Gore Jr. was second with five catches for 45 yards. His longest reception covered 24 yards.
Max Tomczak caught two passes for 26 yards, including a 20-yard reception.
Keleki Latu added two catches for 20 yards.
Leading Buffalo receivers
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Average | Long | Targets |
| Skyler Bell | 7 | 49 | 7.0 | 16 | 10 |
| Frank Gore Jr. | 5 | 45 | 9.0 | 24 | 5 |
| Max Tomczak | 2 | 26 | 13.0 | 20 | 2 |
| Keleki Latu | 2 | 20 | 10.0 | 17 | 2 |
| Dante Pettis | 1 | 16 | 16.0 | 16 | 3 |
| Ja’Mori Maclin | 1 | 12 | 12.0 | 12 | 2 |
| Trent Sherfield | 1 | 10 | 10.0 | 10 | 1 |
The distribution tells us that Buffalo relied heavily on short and intermediate completions rather than one dominant downfield receiver.
Bell’s 10 targets were especially significant. He accounted for more than a quarter of Buffalo’s 37 team targets.
Pittsburgh Receiving Statistics
Pittsburgh recorded 18 receptions for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
Max Hurleman led the team with 50 receiving yards on three catches.
His 16.7 yards per reception average was the highest among Pittsburgh players with multiple receptions.
Lance Mason caught three passes for 31 yards, while Cornell Powell also caught three for 23 yards.
Germie Bernard had only one reception, but it went for 13 yards and a touchdown.
Lake McRee also scored a touchdown, catching one pass for five yards.
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Average | TD | Long |
| Max Hurleman | 3 | 50 | 16.7 | 0 | 25 |
| Lance Mason | 3 | 31 | 10.3 | 0 | 13 |
| Cornell Powell | 3 | 23 | 7.7 | 0 | 16 |
| Germie Bernard | 1 | 13 | 13.0 | 1 | 13 |
| Lew Nichols | 1 | 13 | 13.0 | 0 | 13 |
| Riley Nowakowski | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 0 | 7 |
| Kaden Wetjen | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 0 | 7 |
| Lake McRee | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 1 | 5 |
Pittsburgh’s passing attack therefore produced a lower total yardage figure than Buffalo’s but generated two passing touchdowns.
Defensive Player Statistics
The defensive numbers were remarkably close.
Pittsburgh recorded:
- 65 total tackles
- 43 solo tackles
- 3 sacks
- 8 tackles for loss
- 2 passes defended
- 6 quarterback hits
- 1 defensive touchdown
Buffalo recorded:
- 61 total tackles
- 35 solo tackles
- 3 sacks
- 5 tackles for loss
- 7 passes defended
- 6 quarterback hits
- 0 defensive touchdowns
The three sacks apiece indicate that both defensive fronts were able to create pressure.
The difference was more noticeable in tackles for loss, where Pittsburgh registered eight compared with Buffalo’s five.
Buffalo, however, generated the game’s only interception.
Damar Hamlin’s Interception
Damar Hamlin recorded Buffalo’s lone interception.
He finished with one interception for seven return yards.
The NFL’s player statistics confirm that Hamlin intercepted Pittsburgh during the preseason matchup and finished the play with seven return yards. (NFL)
That turnover was especially relevant because Pittsburgh also finished the game with one turnover overall.
The interception did not completely determine the game by itself, but it was part of a broader turnover picture in which both teams gave the opponent one extra possession.
Special Teams Played a Major Role
Special teams were one of the most interesting parts of this game.
Pittsburgh’s Kaden Wetjen returned a punt 45 yards for a touchdown. He finished with four punt returns for 61 yards, averaging 15.3 yards per return.
That touchdown gave Pittsburgh seven points without requiring an offensive scoring drive.
Buffalo’s Mecole Hardman Jr. recorded two punt returns for 21 yards.
Kick returns were nearly identical by team.
Both teams had three kick returns for 64 yards and an average of 21.3 yards per return.
Pittsburgh’s longest kick return was 26 yards, while Buffalo’s was 27 yards.
The return game therefore added another layer to the contest. Pittsburgh created a direct scoring advantage through Wetjen, while Buffalo ultimately compensated through offensive touchdowns and kicking.
Kicking Statistics
Tyler Bass handled Buffalo’s field-goal work.
He converted both field-goal attempts, including a 42-yard kick, and made both extra-point attempts.
That gave him eight points.
Chris Boswell did not attempt a field goal but converted all three of his extra-point attempts for three points.
| Kicker | FG | FG % | Long | XP | Points |
| Tyler Bass | 2/2 | 100% | 42 | 2/2 | 8 |
| Chris Boswell | 0/0 | N/A | 0 | 3/3 | 3 |
Bass’s eight points were important because Buffalo won by only one point.
Punting Statistics
Pittsburgh’s Cameron Johnston punted five times for 253 yards, averaging 50.6 yards per punt. His longest punt traveled 58 yards, and two punts landed inside the 20-yard line.
Buffalo used both Tommy Doman Jr. and Mitch Wishnowsky.
Doman punted four times for 208 yards, averaging 52.0 yards per punt. Wishnowsky added two punts for 68 yards.
Together, Buffalo’s punters produced six punts for 276 yards.
The team punting average was 46.0 yards, with three punts inside the 20.
These numbers show that both teams had strong raw punting averages, although Pittsburgh’s return game generated the bigger direct scoring impact.
What the Player Stats Reveal
The deeper lesson from the buffalo bills vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats is that neither team’s performance can be explained by one conventional box-score category.
Buffalo won because several smaller advantages combined.
1. Buffalo controlled the passing volume
Buechele threw 38 passes compared with 33 combined attempts from Pittsburgh.
Buffalo completed 26 passes, while Pittsburgh completed 18.
That helped the Bills accumulate 196 passing yards.
2. Pittsburgh had the better rushing average
The Steelers averaged 4.2 yards per carry compared with Buffalo’s 3.7.
Pittsburgh therefore produced more rushing yards despite having one fewer rushing attempt.
3. Buffalo converted rushing opportunities into touchdowns
The Bills scored three rushing touchdowns.
Pittsburgh scored one.
That difference was much more important than the 8-yard gap in rushing yardage.
4. Pittsburgh’s return game created points
Wetjen’s punt-return touchdown gave Pittsburgh seven points without an offensive touchdown.
That was a major reason the Steelers remained competitive.
5. Buffalo won the possession battle
The Bills had the ball for 32:22.
Pittsburgh had it for 27:38.
That five-minute difference helped Buffalo run six more plays.
Why the Final Score Was So Close
Buffalo had several statistical advantages, but Pittsburgh repeatedly answered them.
The Steelers opened with 14 points in the first quarter.
Buffalo responded but remained behind for most of the game.
Pittsburgh’s 27 points came from a combination of:
- Two passing touchdowns
- One rushing touchdown
- Three extra points
- One punt-return touchdown
Buffalo’s 28 points came from:
- Three rushing touchdowns
- Two field goals
- Two extra points
- A successful two-point conversion
This scoring structure explains the one-point final margin.
It also shows why simply looking at passing yards or total yards can miss the central story of an NFL game.
A Closer Look at Efficiency
Efficiency becomes especially useful when comparing these teams.
Buffalo generated 266 yards on 65 plays, or 4.1 yards per play.
Pittsburgh generated 232 yards on 59 plays, or 3.9 yards per play.
The difference is only 0.2 yards per play.
That suggests the offenses were relatively close in overall efficiency.
Buffalo’s advantage came partly from running more plays and sustaining enough possession to create additional scoring opportunities.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, generated explosive special-teams production that reduced the importance of the offensive yardage gap.
Turnovers and Field Position
Both teams committed one turnover.
Buffalo lost one fumble, while Pittsburgh’s turnover came through Hamlin’s interception.
That means the turnover count was even.
However, the type of turnover was different.
Pittsburgh’s interception was credited to Hamlin, while Buffalo’s lost fumble was credited to Ray Davis.
Turnover totals alone therefore do not capture the complete context.
Field position also mattered. Pittsburgh’s 61 punt-return yards came from only four returns, while Wetjen’s 45-yard return produced a touchdown.
Buffalo’s punt-return total was much lower at 32 yards across four returns.
Preseason Context Matters
It is important not to treat these statistics as a direct forecast of regular-season performance.
Preseason games often involve:
- Players competing for roster positions
- Heavy rotation
- Different quarterback combinations
- Simplified or experimental game plans
- Players receiving limited workloads
- Special-teams evaluation
- Situational testing
The official NFL recap itself identified the matchup as part of the 2026 preseason Week 3 slate. (NFL)
This context is especially important for quarterback numbers.
Buechele’s 38 attempts were a large share of Buffalo’s passing workload, while Pittsburgh divided its attempts between Allar and Howard.
Comparing those statistics as if both quarterbacks had identical roles would therefore be misleading.
How to Read These Player Stats Correctly
For readers analyzing the game, the most useful approach is to look at several categories together.
Start with total offense
Total yards provide the broadest picture.
Buffalo had 266.
Pittsburgh had 232.
That establishes Buffalo’s modest offensive edge.
Then separate passing and rushing
Buffalo had the stronger passing total.
Pittsburgh had the stronger rushing total.
This explains why the overall yardage difference remained relatively small.
Look at touchdowns separately
Buffalo scored four offensive touchdowns.
Pittsburgh scored three offensive touchdowns.
The Bills were particularly effective at turning rushing opportunities into touchdowns.
Add special teams
Pittsburgh’s punt-return touchdown changed the scoring equation.
Without special-teams production, the game would have had a different statistical shape.
Finally, check turnovers
Both teams finished with one turnover.
That means neither side gained a clear advantage from turnover margin.
This layered approach gives a much clearer understanding than focusing on one headline statistic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Bills vs Steelers preseason game?
The Buffalo Bills defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-27 in the 2026 NFL preseason Week 3 matchup. The game was played at Highmark Stadium. (NFL)
Who was Buffalo’s leading passer?
Shane Buechele completed 26 of 38 passes for 196 yards. He did not throw a touchdown or interception.
Who led Pittsburgh in passing?
Drew Allar led Pittsburgh with 88 passing yards, completing 9 of 18 attempts. Will Howard added 69 yards and threw two touchdown passes.
Who led Buffalo in receiving?
Skyler Bell led Buffalo with seven receptions for 49 yards on 10 targets.
Who scored Pittsburgh’s receiving touchdowns?
Germie Bernard and Lake McRee each caught a touchdown pass from Will Howard.
Who scored the Steelers’ punt-return touchdown?
Kaden Wetjen returned a punt 45 yards for a touchdown. He finished with four punt returns for 61 yards.
Conclusion
The buffalo bills vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats show a tightly contested preseason game in which Buffalo combined passing volume, rushing touchdowns, possession control, and reliable kicking to edge Pittsburgh 28-27.
Shane Buechele’s 196 passing yards gave Buffalo the largest passing contribution in the game. Skyler Bell was also a major part of the Bills’ offensive production, combining seven receptions for 49 yards with a 28-yard rushing touchdown.
Pittsburgh produced 97 rushing yards and received strong contributions from Lew Nichols and Eli Heidenreich. Will Howard supplied two passing touchdowns, while Kaden Wetjen created one of the game’s biggest individual moments with his punt-return touchdown.
The broader statistical picture is balanced. Buffalo had more total yards and possession time, Pittsburgh averaged more yards per rushing attempt, both teams recorded three sacks, and each side committed one turnover.
That combination explains why the final margin was only one point.
For readers studying the game beyond the final score, the most useful takeaway is that the box score becomes far more informative when passing, rushing, receiving, defense, turnovers, possession, and special teams are considered together. The official NFL game records and player logs provide the underlying statistical context for that analysis. (NFL)
