Game story
In Week 14 of the 2016 NFL season on 2016-12-11, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Buffalo Bills, pulling away with a 27–20 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 19 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
T. Taylor (Buffalo Bills) paced the passing game, with +1.97 total EPA, and -1.9% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, L. Bell (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +10.89 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-17.4% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Pittsburgh Steelers changed the game: (10:44) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 89-L.Green INTERCEPTED by 57-L.Alexander at BUF 12. 57-L.Alexander to BUF 40 for 28 yards (53-M.Pouncey).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 27 |
| Buffalo Bills | 0 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 20 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 L. Bell · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +10.89 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
- 2 L. McCoy · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +6.17 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
- 3 S. Watkins · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +5.62 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.94 EPA/play
- 4 L. Bell · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +5.55 total EPA · 5 snaps · +1.11 EPA/play
- 5 D. Johnson · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.10 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.10 EPA/play
- 6 T. Taylor · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +1.97 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.05 EPA/play
- 7 M. Gillislee · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +1.57 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.78 EPA/play
- 8 N. O'Leary · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +1.51 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.51 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
L. Bell — PIT · Rushing
L. Bell posted the highest total EPA (+10.89) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Pittsburgh Steelers's efficiency. Across 40 counted snaps, they averaged +0.27 EPA per play.
The signature play (-7.03 EPA) came from Pittsburgh Steelers: (10:44) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 89-L.Green INTERCEPTED by 57-L.Alexander at BUF 12. 57-L.Alexander to BUF 40 for 28 yards (53-M.Pouncey).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Pittsburgh Steelers — L. Bell
- Pittsburgh Steelers — L. Bell
- Buffalo Bills — S. Watkins (T. Taylor pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — L. Bell
- Buffalo Bills — C. Clay (T. Taylor pass)
- Buffalo Bills — L. McCoy
Field goals
- Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Boswell
- Pittsburgh Steelers — C. Boswell
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the BUF 3 (Q1 51:05) — (6:05) (Shotgun) 26-L.Bell left guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q1 51:00) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry..
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the BUF 7 (Q2 42:05) — (12:05) 26-L.Bell left guard for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q2 42:00) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the PIT 8 (Q2 37:11) — (7:11) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass short middle to 14-S.Watkins for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught 5 yds. into end zone, slanting from left.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 37:07) — 2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt..
The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the BUF 5 (Q3 20:35); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q3 20:28) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry..
The fourth quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 13–6. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the BUF 19 (Q4 10:02) — (10:02) 9-C.Boswell 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the PIT 40 (Q4 7:39) — (7:39) 5-T.Taylor pass deep left to 85-C.Clay for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN [56-A.Chickillo]. Caught along sideline at PIT 22.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the BUF 21 (Q4 3:43) — (3:43) 9-C.Boswell 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the PIT 3 (Q4 1:28) — (1:28) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 25-L.McCoy up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q4 1:25) — 2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 55:44) — (10:44) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 89-L.Green INTERCEPTED by 57-L.Alexander at BUF 12. 57-L.Alexander to BUF 40 for 28 yards (53-M.Pouncey).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 53:26) — (8:26) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 84-A.Brown pushed ob at BUF 29 for 40 yards (28-R.Darby). Caught along sideline at BUF 31.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 58:41) — (13:41) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 26-L.Bell pushed ob at BUF 34 for 32 yards (53-Z.Brown). Dump pass, caught at PIT 32.
- Buffalo Bills (Q2 37:11) — (7:11) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass short middle to 14-S.Watkins for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught 5 yds. into end zone, slanting from left.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 38:45) — (8:45) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left intended for 84-A.Brown INTERCEPTED by 24-S.Gilmore at PIT 38. 24-S.Gilmore to PIT 7 for 31 yards (84-A.Brown).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 55:44) — (10:44) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 89-L.Green INTERCEPTED by 57-L.Alexander at BUF 12. 57-L.Alexander to BUF 40 for 28 yards (53-M.Pouncey).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q2 38:45) — (8:45) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left intended for 84-A.Brown INTERCEPTED by 24-S.Gilmore at PIT 38. 24-S.Gilmore to PIT 7 for 31 yards (84-A.Brown).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 13:48) — (13:48) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right intended for 81-J.James INTERCEPTED by 53-Z.Brown at BUF -6. Touchback.
- Buffalo Bills (Q4 7:39) — (7:39) 5-T.Taylor pass deep left to 85-C.Clay for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN [56-A.Chickillo]. Caught along sideline at PIT 22.
Quarterback report card
T.Taylor led all passers in efficiency for Buffalo Bills, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- T.Taylor (Buffalo Bills) · 36 dropbacks · 41.7% completion · -1.9% CPOE · +0.05 EPA/play · +1.97 total EPA
- B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 31 dropbacks · 54.8% completion · -9.3% CPOE · -0.20 EPA/play · -6.06 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Pittsburgh Steelers | Buffalo Bills |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.061 | -0.061 |
| Offensive success rate | 49.5% | 31.9% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.196 | +0.055 |
| Rush EPA/play | +0.271 | -0.138 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.061 | -0.061 |
| Defensive success rate | 68.1% | 50.5% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Pittsburgh Steelers generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.06 vs -0.06), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Buffalo Bills: 11 drives, -4.19 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 11 drives, +5.68 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Pittsburgh Steelers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- L. Bell (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- B. Roethlisberger (PIT) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 51:05 · BUF 3 · Score 6-0
(6:05) (Shotgun) 26-L.Bell left guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 51:00 · BUF 15 · Score 7-0
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 42:05 · BUF 7 · Score 13-0
(12:05) 26-L.Bell left guard for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 42:00 · BUF 15 · Score 14-0
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 37:11 · PIT 8 · Score 14-6
(7:11) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass short middle to 14-S.Watkins for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught 5 yds. into end zone, slanting from left. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 37:07 · PIT 15 · Score 14-7
2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q3 20:35 · BUF 5 · Score 20-7
(5:35) 26-L.Bell left end for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. L.Bell ties PIT team record with 3 rushing TDs in game (last done 9/20/15 by DeAngelo Williams vs. S.F.) - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q3 20:28 · BUF 15 · Score 21-7
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 10:02 · BUF 19 · Score 24-7
(10:02) 9-C.Boswell 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 7:39 · PIT 40 · Score 24-13
(7:39) 5-T.Taylor pass deep left to 85-C.Clay for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN [56-A.Chickillo]. Caught along sideline at PIT 22. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 3:43 · BUF 21 · Score 27-13
(3:43) 9-C.Boswell 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-4-J.Berry. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q4 1:28 · PIT 3 · Score 27-19
(1:28) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 25-L.McCoy up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q4 1:25 · PIT 15 · Score 27-20
2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Buffalo Bills 27-20 in Week 14, 2016 on 2016-12-11.
What was the final score of Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills?
The final score was Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Buffalo Bills 20 (PIT 27-20 BUF) in Week 14, 2016 on 2016-12-11.
What was the score by quarter in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills?
Q1: Pittsburgh Steelers 7, Buffalo Bills 0; Q2: Pittsburgh Steelers 7, Buffalo Bills 7; Q3: Pittsburgh Steelers 7, Buffalo Bills 0; Q4: Pittsburgh Steelers 6, Buffalo Bills 13; Final: Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Buffalo Bills 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills?
Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — L. Bell (Q1 51:05) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — L. Bell (Q2 42:05) Buffalo Bills touchdown — S. Watkins (T. Taylor pass) (Q2 37:11) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — L. Bell (Q3 20:35) Buffalo Bills touchdown — C. Clay (T. Taylor pass) (Q4 7:39) Buffalo Bills touchdown — L. McCoy (Q4 1:28) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q4 10:02, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q4 3:43, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills?
T. Taylor (Buffalo Bills), 41.7% completion, -1.9% CPOE, +0.05 EPA per dropback, +1.97 total passing EPA. B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 54.8% completion, -9.3% CPOE, -0.20 EPA per dropback, -6.06 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills?
L. Bell (Pittsburgh Steelers) led the game in total EPA with +10.89 on rushing plays. across 40 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-7.03 EPA): (10:44) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle intended for 89-L.Green INTERCEPTED by 57-L.Alexander at BUF 12. 57-L.Alexander to BUF 40 for 28 yards (53-M.Pouncey).. The biggest win-probability swing was -17.4%.
Was Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Pittsburgh Steelers won 27-20 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 7-5 Now 8-5 W
Buffalo Bills
Entered 6-6 Now 6-7 L
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