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NFL · Week 1 · September 12, 2021 · 12 min read

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Buffalo Bills: 2021 Week 1 Recap

Steelers defeat Bills 23–16 in Week 1

Dawson Knox led Fantasy Impact as Steelers prevailed in a 23–16 Week 1 finish.

Pittsburgh Steelers 23 1–0 Winner
Final 23–16
Buffalo Bills 16 0–1
Winner
Pittsburgh Steelers
Final score
23–16
Halftime
Pittsburgh Steelers 0–10 Buffalo Bills
Top passer
Jonathan Allen
FantasyHQ MVP
Dawson Knox
Game date
September 12, 2021

Top fantasy performers · Steelers

  • B.Roethlisberger 18/38 · 185 YDS · 1 TD +3.0 Fantasy Impact
  • Chase Claypool
    Chase Claypool 1 CAR · 25 YDS +2.4 Fantasy Impact
  • Pat Freiermuth
    Pat Freiermuth 1 REC · 24 YDS +2.1 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Bills

  • Dawson Knox
    Dawson Knox 4 REC · 41 YDS +4.0 Fantasy Impact
  • Eli Sanders 4 REC · 52 YDS +3.0 Fantasy Impact
  • Gabe Davis
    Gabe Davis 2 REC · 40 YDS · 1 TD +1.8 Fantasy Impact
View Steelers vs Bills box score View all 2021 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Pittsburgh Steelers
Final score
Pittsburgh Steelers 23–16 Buffalo Bills
Halftime
Pittsburgh Steelers 0–10 Buffalo Bills at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Dawson Knox
Top passer
Jonathan Allen
Biggest EPA play
(9:51) 3-M.Haack punt is BLOCKED by 28-M.Killebrew, Center-69-R.Ferguson, RECOVERED by PIT…
Game date
2021-09-12

Game summary

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Buffalo Bills 23–16 on 2021-09-12, overcoming Buffalo Bills's 10–0 halftime lead. Dawson Knox posted a game-high +3.99 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 23 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Pittsburgh Steelers00617023
Buffalo Bills3706016

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

PITPittsburgh Steelers
BUFBuffalo Bills

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

12 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. BUFBuffalo Bills
    Q1 13:34FG
    Tyler Bass

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PIT 19
    Score
    0-3

    (13:34) 2-T.Bass 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack.

  2. BUFBuffalo Bills
    Q2 0:27TD
    Gabe Davis

    Points+6

    Yard line
    PIT 3
    Score
    0-9

    (:27) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 13-G.Davis for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN [90-T.Watt].

  3. BUFBuffalo Bills
    Q2 0:22XP
    Tyler Bass

    Points+1

    Yard line
    PIT 15
    Score
    0-10

    2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack.

  4. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q3 10:26FG
    Chris Boswell

    Points+3

    Yard line
    BUF 6
    Score
    3-10

    (10:26) 9-C.Boswell 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.

  5. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q3 1:50FG
    Chris Boswell

    Points+3

    Yard line
    BUF 2
    Score
    6-10

    (1:50) 9-C.Boswell 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.

  6. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q4 11:24TD
    Dyontae Johnson

    Points+6

    Yard line
    BUF 5
    Score
    12-10

    (11:24) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 18-D.Johnson for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  7. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q4 11:19XP
    Chris Boswell

    Points+1

    Yard line
    BUF 15
    Score
    13-10

    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.

  8. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q4 9:51TD
    Ulysees Gilbert

    Points+6

    Yard line
    PIT 77
    Score
    19-10

    (9:51) 3-M.Haack punt is BLOCKED by 28-M.Killebrew, Center-69-R.Ferguson, RECOVERED by PIT-54-U.Gilbert at BUF 9. 54-U.Gilbert for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q4 9:45XP
    Chris Boswell

    Points+1

    Yard line
    BUF 15
    Score
    20-10

    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.

  10. BUFBuffalo Bills
    Q4 5:26FG
    Tyler Bass

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PIT 7
    Score
    20-13

    (5:26) 2-T.Bass 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack.

  11. PITPittsburgh Steelers
    Q4 2:47FG
    Chris Boswell

    Points+3

    Yard line
    BUF 27
    Score
    23-13

    (2:47) 9-C.Boswell 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.

  12. BUFBuffalo Bills
    Q4 0:49FG
    Tyler Bass

    Points+3

    Yard line
    PIT 24
    Score
    23-16

    (:49) 2-T.Bass 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Dawson KnoxDawson Knox · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +3.99 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.00 EPA/play
  2. 2B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +3.00 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
  3. 3Eli Sanders · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +3.00 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
  4. 4Chase ClaypoolChase Claypool · Pittsburgh Steelers · Rushing · +2.38 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.38 EPA/play
  5. 5Pat FreiermuthPat Freiermuth · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.13 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.13 EPA/play
  6. 6Chase ClaypoolChase Claypool · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +1.99 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
  7. 7Gabe DavisGabe Davis · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +1.83 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
  8. 8Jonathan AllenJonathan Allen · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +1.79 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

Dawson Knox

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Dawson Knox — BUF · Receiving

Dawson Knox posted the highest total EPA (+3.99) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Buffalo Bills. Across 4 counted snaps, they averaged +1.00 EPA per play.

Biggest single play (-5.39 EPA): Matt Haack — (9:51) 3-M.Haack punt is BLOCKED by 28-M.Killebrew, Center-69-R.Ferguson, RECOVERED by PIT-54-U.Gilbert at BUF 9. 54-U.Gilbert for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Quarterback report card

Jonathan Allen led all passers in efficiency for Buffalo Bills, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • Jonathan AllenJonathan Allen (Buffalo Bills) · 61 dropbacks · 49.2% completion · -3.4% CPOE · -0.12 EPA/play · -7.57 total EPA
  • B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 38 dropbacks · 47.4% completion · -10.5% CPOE · +0.08 EPA/play · +3.00 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatPittsburgh SteelersBuffalo Bills
Offensive EPA/play-0.006-0.124
Offensive success rate40.8%40.6%
Pass EPA/play+0.079-0.124
Rush EPA/play-0.143-0.153
Defensive EPA/play+0.124+0.006
Defensive success rate59.4%59.2%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Pittsburgh Steelers generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.01 vs -0.12), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Pittsburgh Steelers: -0.01 EPA/play (48th percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)
  • Buffalo Bills: -0.12 EPA/play (24th percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)
  • Buffalo Bills: 11 drives, -12.54 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
  • Pittsburgh Steelers: 12 drives, -0.47 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

  • Gabe DavisBuffalo Bills — Gabe Davis (Jonathan Allen pass) (Q2 0:27)
  • Dyontae JohnsonPittsburgh Steelers — Dyontae Johnson (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 11:24)
  • Ulysees GilbertPittsburgh Steelers — Ulysees Gilbert (Q4 9:51)

Field goals

  • Tyler BassBuffalo Bills — Tyler Bass (Q1 13:34)
  • Chris BoswellPittsburgh Steelers — Chris Boswell (Q3 10:26)
  • Chris BoswellPittsburgh Steelers — Chris Boswell (Q3 1:50)
  • Tyler BassBuffalo Bills — Tyler Bass (Q4 5:26)
  • Chris BoswellPittsburgh Steelers — Chris Boswell (Q4 2:47)
  • Tyler BassBuffalo Bills — Tyler Bass (Q4 0:49)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 3–0. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the PIT 19 (Q1 13:34) — (13:34) 2-T.Bass 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack..

The second quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–0. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the PIT 3 (Q2 0:27) — (:27) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 13-G.Davis for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN [90-T.Watt].; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q2 0:22) — 2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack..

The third quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 6–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the BUF 6 (Q3 10:26) — (10:26) 9-C.Boswell 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the BUF 2 (Q3 1:50) — (1:50) 9-C.Boswell 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin..

The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 17–6. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the BUF 5 (Q4 11:24) — (11:24) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 18-D.Johnson for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q4 11:19) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the PIT 77 (Q4 9:51); Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q4 9:45) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the PIT 7 (Q4 5:26) — (5:26) 2-T.Bass 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the BUF 27 (Q4 2:47) — (2:47) 9-C.Boswell 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the PIT 24 (Q4 0:49) — (:49) 2-T.Bass 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers (Q4 12:16) — (12:16) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass incomplete deep left to 11-C.Claypool (39-L.Wallace). PENALTY on BUF-39-L.Wallace, Defensive Pass Interference, 26 yards, enforced at BUF 49 - No Play. [WPA +19.2% · EPA +3.09]
  • Buffalo Bills (Q4 9:51) — (9:51) 3-M.Haack punt is BLOCKED by 28-M.Killebrew, Center-69-R.Ferguson, RECOVERED by PIT-54-U.Gilbert at BUF 9. 54-U.Gilbert for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -15.7% · EPA -5.39]
  • Buffalo Bills (Q4 13:46) — (13:46) 22-M.Breida left tackle to PIT 48 for -7 yards (20-C.Sutton). [WPA -11.2% · EPA -3.70]
  • Buffalo Bills (Q1 15:00) — 9-C.Boswell kicks 64 yards from PIT 35 to BUF 1. 19-I.McKenzie to PIT 24 for 75 yards (54-U.Gilbert). [WPA +10.5% · EPA +3.31]
  • Buffalo Bills (Q2 8:47) — (8:47) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen sacked at PIT 45 for -7 yards (90-T.Watt). FUMBLES (90-T.Watt) [90-T.Watt], touched at PIT 43, RECOVERED by PIT-97-C.Heyward at PIT 45. [WPA -9.2% · EPA -3.71]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Buffalo Bills (Q4 9:51) — (9:51) 3-M.Haack punt is BLOCKED by 28-M.Killebrew, Center-69-R.Ferguson, RECOVERED by PIT-54-U.Gilbert at BUF 9. 54-U.Gilbert for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -15.7% · EPA -5.39]
  • Buffalo Bills (Q2 8:47) — (8:47) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen sacked at PIT 45 for -7 yards (90-T.Watt). FUMBLES (90-T.Watt) [90-T.Watt], touched at PIT 43, RECOVERED by PIT-97-C.Heyward at PIT 45. [WPA -9.2% · EPA -3.71]
  • Buffalo Bills (Q4 13:46) — (13:46) 22-M.Breida left tackle to PIT 48 for -7 yards (20-C.Sutton). [WPA -11.2% · EPA -3.70]
  • Buffalo Bills (Q1 15:00) — 9-C.Boswell kicks 64 yards from PIT 35 to BUF 1. 19-I.McKenzie to PIT 24 for 75 yards (54-U.Gilbert). [WPA +10.5% · EPA +3.31]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q1 13:34 · PIT 19 · Score 0-3
    (13:34) 2-T.Bass 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack.
  2. Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 0:27 · PIT 3 · Score 0-9
    (:27) (Shotgun) 17-J.Allen pass short left to 13-G.Davis for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN [90-T.Watt].
  3. Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 0:22 · PIT 15 · Score 0-10
    2-T.Bass extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack.
  4. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 10:26 · BUF 6 · Score 3-10
    (10:26) 9-C.Boswell 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.
  5. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q3 1:50 · BUF 2 · Score 6-10
    (1:50) 9-C.Boswell 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.
  6. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 11:24 · BUF 5 · Score 12-10
    (11:24) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 18-D.Johnson for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  7. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 11:19 · BUF 15 · Score 13-10
    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.
  8. Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 9:51 · PIT 77 · Score 19-10
    (9:51) 3-M.Haack punt is BLOCKED by 28-M.Killebrew, Center-69-R.Ferguson, RECOVERED by PIT-54-U.Gilbert at BUF 9. 54-U.Gilbert for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  9. Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 9:45 · BUF 15 · Score 20-10
    9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.
  10. Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q4 5:26 · PIT 7 · Score 20-13
    (5:26) 2-T.Bass 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack.
  11. Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 2:47 · BUF 27 · Score 23-13
    (2:47) 9-C.Boswell 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-C.Kuntz, Holder-6-P.Harvin.
  12. Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q4 0:49 · PIT 24 · Score 23-16
    (:49) 2-T.Bass 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-3-M.Haack.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • Dawson Knox (Buffalo Bills) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Jonathan Allen (BUF) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills on 2021-09-12?

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Buffalo Bills 23-16 in Week 1, 2021.

What was the score by quarter in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills?

Q1: Pittsburgh Steelers 0, Buffalo Bills 3; Q2: Pittsburgh Steelers 0, Buffalo Bills 7; Q3: Pittsburgh Steelers 6, Buffalo Bills 0; Q4: Pittsburgh Steelers 17, Buffalo Bills 6; Final: Pittsburgh Steelers 23, Buffalo Bills 16.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills?

Buffalo Bills touchdown — G. Davis (J. Allen pass) (Q2 0:27) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — D. Johnson (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 11:24) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — U. Gilbert (Q4 9:51) Buffalo Bills field goal — T. Bass (Q1 13:34, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q3 10:26, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q3 1:50, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — T. Bass (Q4 5:26, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q4 2:47, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — T. Bass (Q4 0:49, 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?

Jonathan Allen (Buffalo Bills), 49.2% completion, -3.4% CPOE, -0.12 EPA per dropback, -7.57 total passing EPA. B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 47.4% completion, -10.5% CPOE, +0.08 EPA per dropback, +3.00 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills?

Dawson Knox (Buffalo Bills) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +3.99 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 4 snaps.

Was Pittsburgh Steelers vs Buffalo Bills a close game?

Yes — the margin was 7 points. Pittsburgh Steelers won 23-16 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Pittsburgh Steelers

Now 1-0 W

Buffalo Bills

Now 0-1 L

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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