James Cook carried 32 times for 144 times as the Buffalo Bills limited the Pittsburgh Steelers to 166 total yards and earned a 26-7 victory.
It was the second, consecutive loss for a Steelers team that has struggled at home, going 4-3, and now sits second in the AFC North after failing to capitalize on Baltimore’s Thanksgiving loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Aaron Rodgers was banged up in the loss, briefly leaving before returning to the field.
Both teams committed two turnovers, with neither Rodgers nor fellow star quarterback Josh Allen looking particularly good on a cold evening in Pittsburgh. Cook’s dominance on the ground, though, allowed the Bills to win the time of possession battle, 41:59 to 18:01, and out-physical a Steelers team previously synonymous with that word.
It was a significant win for Buffalo, who is attempting to keep pace in the playoff hunt, currently sitting in the seventh seed and third (and final) wildcard position.
At 8-4, they are also still alive in the AFC East, which is currently led by the rival New England Patriots, who are enjoying their best season since Tom Brady was the quarterback.
Up next for the Bills is Cincinnati, who enjoyed renewed energy and excitement with the return of quarterback Joe Burrow on Thanksgiving night.
For Pittsburgh, a date with the aforementioned Ravens in a key showdown in the battle for the AFC North.
