The Preseason Drought Is Over- Steelers Win 19-16

In a dramatic ending to a game that looked certain to end with a check in the L column, the Steelers defeated the Buffalo Bills 19-16. Here’s how the exciting finish played out.

The Steelers got the ball back after a Buffalo field goal tied the score 16-16 with 2 minutes left. Gradkowski’s first throw found Kashif Moore to the right for a gain of 12. With a 1:18 left on the clock on 3rd and 5, Gradkowski couldn’t find an open man and scrambled for 9 yards and the first down.

With 49 seconds left on the Steelers 49, Gradkowski drops back and throws to Martavis Bryant, who’s fingertips send the ball high and into the arms of a Bills defender. After the interception, the Bills had the ball on their 29 yard line with 43 seconds remaining.

The first pass resulted in a nine yard gain. Terence Garvin came up with a big sack on the next play, taking Tuel to the ground for a 3 yard loss. On 3rd down with 31 seconds left, Tuel dropped back only this time to be sacked by Vic So’oto. Tuel fumbled the ball and Howard Jones recovered it and ran it to the Bills 1 yard line.

After a failed run up the middle by Gradkowski, Shaun Suisham kicked the game winning 20 yard field goal with no time remaining.

We sometimes joke around about preseason wins being meaningless, and in some ways they are, but man it feels good to end the preseason drought. The Steelers haven’t won an exhibition game since August 30th, 2012. Let the wins continue.