Bills Steelers score Josh Allen 3 TDs Buffalo oust Pittsburgh divisional round

Josh Allen leads the Bills to a 31-17 win over the Steelers. AFC's No. 2 seed moves on to host Kansas City.

In Monday's Super Wild Card Weekend showdown, Josh Allen led the Buffalo Bills to a 31-17 win over the Steelers. This performance was one for the books, and even Allen's biggest critics would be hard-pressed to find fault with his play. The AFC's No. 2 seed is now set to host Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs next weekend in the divisional round.

Allen, who was snubbed from the Pro Bowl this season, threw three touchdowns and completed 70 percent of his passes. His performance was further highlighted by a 52-yard scoring run, the second-longest touchdown run by a quarterback in playoff history. This run stretched Buffalo's lead to 21-0 midway through the second quarter. Although the Steelers made a valiant effort to close the gap, Allen's game-clinching touchdown pass to Khalil Shakir with 6:27 left dashed any hopes of a comeback.

The Bills played exceptional complementary football, building an insurmountable lead. Allen's standout plays, including a 12-yard completion to Stefon Diggs and a 13-yard scramble, were instrumental in securing the victory. Despite the Steelers' effort to mount a comeback, they were unable to overcome the deficit.

The Steelers' struggles were compounded by two turnovers that led to 14 Bills points. Their defensive struggles, particularly a lack of depth at ILB, were exploited by Buffalo. Pittsburgh's comeback was jumpstarted by Montravious Adams' blocked field goal, but it was ultimately too little too late.

The Bills will face the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs for the third time in four years, with Buffalo hosting this time. On the other hand, Pittsburgh's season ends without a playoff win for the seventh straight year, extending the franchise's longest stretch without a postseason win since 1972.