Steelers vs. Bills: Buffalo Drops Opportunity to Pull Huge Upset

A week ago, the Steelers turned their game against the Raiders into a blowout quickly. For 30 minutes, Pittsburgh was on the same kind of roll. But a second-half collapse and some timely passing by Ryan Fitzpatrick almost led to one of the most shocking results of the weekend.

Buffalo's Rian Lindell hit a game-tying field goal at the end of regulation, and Buffalo had a chance to upset the Steelers in overtime.

Actually, the Bills had the game won. Steve Johnson got behind the Steelers' secondary for the apparent game-winning touchdown. But with Bills players already starting to celebrate, he dropped it. The perfect strike went through his hands in the end zone. Maybe it shouldn't have been too shocking that he dropped it -- his fifth dropped pass of the game.

Given a second chance, Pittsburgh ground out a 12-play, 58-yard drive that led to Shaun Suisham's game-winning 41-yard field goal.

Here on some thoughts on the Steelers' survival to go to 8-3:

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• Kyle Williams showed once again why he's one of the best defensive lineman in the game. Williams proved nearly unblockable for Steelers guard Chris Kemoeatu. He recorded two sacks, picked up seven tackles and forced Kemoeatu into an amazing four holding penalties, including one that called back a 42-yard run by Rashard Mendenhall and another that nullified an 18-yard catch by Emmanuel Sanders on a third-down conversion that would have wrapped up the game. Mendenhall had a very solid game -- 28 carries for 118 yards and one touchdown -- but Kemoeatu's penalty kept it from being his best day as a Steeler.

• Steelers' fill-in left tackle Jonathan Scott had a day to forget as well -- he was called for two false starts and a holding penalty. Generally, Ben Roethlisberger was pressured whenever he dropped back to pass. The beating took a toll as Roethlisberger was limping at times with a foot injury.

• Speaking of penalties, the Steelers growing tendency to grab unnecessary-roughness penalties like they are collector's items continued. Linebacker James Harrison was flagged for roughing the passer for leading with the crown of his helmet on a third-quarter hit. That 15-yard penalty helped set up Fred Jackson's 65-yard touchdown.

• The Bills had little success rushing the ball against the Steelers, but unlike many other teams, they were wise enough to avoid plenty of third-and-longs by needlessly running. The surprising thing was how well a banged-up and pretty mediocre Bills' offensive line protected Fitzpatrick. Pittsburgh sacked the Bills' quarterback only once. Fitzpatrick's quick passing attack played a part in that, but the lack of a consistent pass rush is a cause for concern against the Steelers. When Tom Brady carves your secondary up, a team can say it's just been beat by a great quarterback. When Fitzpatrick does the same thing, it's time to admit you have problems.

• The Steelers' run of defensive injuries continued. Starting cornerback Bryant McFadden left with a strained hamstring while defensive end Nick Eason left with a leg injury. Eason was a fill-in starter replacing injured starter Aaron Smith.

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