10 Thoughts: Remember, it's still the preseason

Aug 18, 2024 at 01:33 AM

Dale Lolley

Contributing Writer/Editor

There was less Steelers beating the Steelers in Saturday night's second preseason game against the Buffalo Bills.

But the results were largely the same as they had been in the team's opener, a 20-12 loss to the Houston Texans.

This time around, the Steelers dropped a 9-3 decision to the Bills. But the defense played better than it had in the previous week. Special teams weren't a reason why the Steelers lost, as they were against the Texans.

The lack of offense by the starting unit? Well, that was something we saw against the Texans.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin gave his starters on offense five opportunities to put points on the board. And what it produced was two first downs, 34 net yards and one missed field goal.

Simply stated, that's not even remotely good enough.

With Russell Wilson making his first start in a Steelers uniform Saturday night, the expectation was that things would be better than they were in the previous week, when Justin Fields failed to produce any points in three possessions against the Texans.

But when you fail to protect the quarterback, as the Steelers did in this game, it makes it difficult to function offensively.

"I thought we didn't do a good enough job of protecting the quarterback," Tomlin said. "We've got to do a better job in pass protection than we did not only in possession downs but just in general. I was really up front with the group about it in that regard. That can't be a problem for us. We've got to be better than we were in that area."

Perhaps because he was sacked on two of his first three dropbacks and three times on the Steelers' first three possessions, Wilson didn't take chances on throwing the ball past the first-down markers in some third-down situations.

After he was sacked on first down on the Steelers' second possession, Wilson checked down to tight end Pat Freiermuth on third-and-12. Freiermuth picked up 10 yards, but the Steelers were forced to punt.

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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The Pittsburgh Steelers during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers punter Cameron Johnston (5) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jon Willey / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jon Willey / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk (92) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jon Willey / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jon Willey / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (99) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden/ Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden/ Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Julius Welschof (48) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden/ Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden/ Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden/ Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden/ Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers punter Cameron Johnston (5) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden/ Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Dean Lowry (94) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Quez Watkins (16) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Thomas Graham Jr. (37), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41), Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Jalen Elliott (34) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson (11) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Mark Robinson (93), Pittsburgh Steelers safety Miles Killebrew (28) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Darius Rush (21) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden/ Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end MyCole Pruitt (81) and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick (82) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers punter Cameron Johnston (5) and Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) receives the Joe Greene Great Performance Award and Rookie Of The Year during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers guard Mason McCormick (66) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jon Willey / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Thomas Graham Jr. (37) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden/ Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Mark Robinson (93) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden/ Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kyle Allen (4) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jon Willey / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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The Pittsburgh Steelers offense during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jon Willey / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end DeMarvin Leal (98) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden/ Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Fans during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jon Willey / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jon Willey / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Darius Rush (21) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Darius Rush (21) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jon Willey / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers punter Cameron Johnston (5) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jon Willey / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Youth Football during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jon Willey / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Youth Football during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jon Willey / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell (9) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden/ Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Ryan Watts (29) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jon Willey / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Youth Football during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jon Willey / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden/ Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers tight end MyCole Pruitt (81) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Spencer Anderson (74) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) nduring a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back La'Mical Perine (38) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback John Rhys Plumlee (18) and Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Matt Sokol (49) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2), Pittsburgh Steelers center Ryan McCollum (62) and Pittsburgh Steelers guard/offensive tackle Tyler Beach (69) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Daijun Edwards (31) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Scotty Miller (13) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Logan Lee (74) during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Harrison Barden/ Pittsburgh Steelers)

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On the Steelers' fourth possession, a holding penalty on Darnell Washington forced a third-and-14 play, with Wilson checking down to Jaylen Warren, who picked up 12 yards.

And on the team's fifth possession, Wilson's final opportunity, the Steelers faced third-and-11 and Wilson threw underneath for a 4-yard gain to wide receiver Van Jefferson.

"I think the biggest thing is staying on schedule," said Wilson, who completed 8 of 10 passes for 47 yards. "I think we had too many 3rd-and-longs. … We've just got to give ourselves the best chance possible to be successful, and that's 3rd-and-shorts and 3rd-and-mediums."

The thing to remember is that the Steelers didn't scheme for this game. They were simply running the offense, regardless of opponent. So there were no plans to attack where the coaching staff might perceive the Bills might be weakest.

That also means they weren't especially concerned with scheming to block a certain player, either. Hence defensive end Gregory Rousseau had 2.5 of Buffalo's three sacks on Wilson.

The protection wasn't great for Fields, either. He was sacked once, but also ran out of trouble on multiple occasions.

"We know, we have to be better up front," Fields said. "Coach T made that statement after the game. There's room for all of us to do better, me included."

That doesn't mean what the Steelers are doing offensively can't work. You are still permitted to win one-on-one matchups. But it is a new offense with all-new quarterbacks and coordinator. Rome wasn't built in a day.

There's also this friendly reminder that the Steelers last preseason saw their first-team offense score on all five possessions in which it appeared. And the regular season results didn't back that up.

It would be preferable for the offense to have those kind of results and carry that over into the regular season. But it's also a reminder that what happens in the preseason doesn't matter one bit once the ball is kicked off in September.

It would be different, as well, if the offense looked bad in practices working against the Steelers defense – or Buffalo's defense as it did in a joint practice Thursday. That wasn't and hasn't been the case.

"This will be my 13th year, and every preseason is different," Wilson said. "There's highs, there's lows, you have great practices, which we've had a lot of those. … We had a great practice on Thursday. So there's a lot of good that goes unseen sometimes, and there's some things that we also have to fix and get right."

Not putting themselves into third-and-longs would be a good place to start.

• The defense, sans defensive tackle Cam Heyward and outside linebackers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, looked solid once again.

The Bills held quarterback Josh Allen out, as well. But outside of that obviously very key player, the Bills had their top offensive players on the field.

And Buffalo didn't make much happen. In fact, as they have throughout camp and into the preseason, players such as Nick Herbig, Keeanu Benton and others showed they can be bigger contributors if something happens to Heyward, Watt or Highsmith.

Buffalo finished just 2 of 10 on third downs and had 245 total yards, with well over half of that coming in the second half against third- and fourth-team players.

• On fourth-and-2 at the Buffalo 9 in the third quarter, Fields ran a read-option and chose to keep the ball himself rather than hand it off to running back Aaron Shampklin.

It appeared that had Fields given the ball to Shampklin, he would have picked up the two yards necessary to get the first down.

Instead, the Bills keyed on Fields and stopped him for a seven-yard loss.

There have been questions about whether the Steelers would have some offensive packages for Fields if Wilson is, in fact, named the team's starting quarterback.

And it would make some sense to do so. Fields is a dynamic runner and better quarterback than some of the other players around the league who have special packages.

In that situation, though, he had to realize the Bills were going to key on him since he was the most dangerous player on the field.

It would be different if, say, he had been on the field with Najee Harris or Warren in the backfield and had George Pickens lined up on the outside.

• Broderick Jones had a tough night at right tackle against Rousseau, but it was just that – a tough night.

Much like the rest of the offense, given a week to prepare, the expectation is that he would fare much better in that one-on-one matchup. And if the coaching staff didn't think that would be the case, he would be given more help.

It's also noteworthy that Jones has spent time working back and forth at left and right tackle. That's not an easy thing to do. It can lead to making some mistakes in technique and leverage, which is what appears to have happened with Jones Saturday night.

• The Steelers had Warren (hamstring), linebacker Payton Wilson (concussion) and cornerback Anthony Averett (hamstring) leave this game with injuries. But none of those are season-ending or should be something that lingers into the start of the regular season three weeks from now.

According to Tomlin, interior offensive lineman Nate Herbig has a shoulder injury he suffered earlier this week while the team was still in Latrobe and will seek a second opinion on that before the team makes any kind of decision about his status.

Given that it's unlikely Tomlin plays many front-line players in next weekend's preseason finale against the Lions – though he might still want to see the offense put together a drive – if those are the worst injuries the team suffers in the preseason, it should count itself fortunate.

• The Steelers have been searching for new gunners to replace Miles Boykin and James Pierre. Against the Texans, the top gunners were cornerback Beanie Bishop and wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick. Against the Bills, it was Fitzpatrick and rookie cornerback Ryan Watts.

Watts, in particular, looks like he might stick there, though Fitzpatrick also had a big third-down catch in the fourth quarter on a throw from Fields.

Cameron Johnston averaged 56.8 yards per punt with a net average of 44.2 yards against the Bills. As a team last season, the Steelers averaged 44.0 yards per punt as their gross average.

• With Bishop sitting this game out with an undisclosed minor injury, Thomas Graham Jr. got an opportunity to work as the first-team nickel corner with Wilson and Patrick Queen at inside linebacker.

We also saw the three-safety nickel package in this game with Damontae Kazee joining Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott on the field.

That three-safety package is one that is intriguing, as Fitzpatrick, Kazee and Elliott all have experience playing in the slot. All three are capable of playing deep safety, as well.

And all three offer different styles of play with different skill sets.

Fitzpatrick is obviously the lynchpin. But if opposing offenses have to guess whether he's going to be in the deep post, playing a robber position in the middle of the field or matching up against one of their better players in the slot, it does add some intrigue to the defense.

• With Nate Herbig out, rookie Zach Frazier not only got the start at center, but played well into the game.

"I was largely satisfied with the work that I saw from Zach," Tomlin said.

That was higher praise than Frazier gave himself.

"I definitely had some good plays and definitely had some things I have to clean up," Frazier said.

Frazier was making all of the line calls in the game and the snaps, which were an issue last week against the Texans, weren't an issue.

The rookie will continue to get better the more he plays.

• Dale Lolley is co-host of "SNR Drive" on Steelers Nation Radio. Subscribe to the podcast here: Apple Podcast | iHeart Podcast

• Calvin Austin III handled most of the punt returns in this game after Quez Watkins got an opportunity to do so against the Texans, an experiment that didn't work out all that well.

Austin, the team's primary punt returner in 2023, averaged 10.8 yards on four attempts in this game. Scotty Miller, who is vying for a roster spot, as well, got one opportunity and had a 13-yard return.

"This year, I'll definitely take some back," said Austin. "It was good to get back there for this year. I'm looking forward to the season.

"I'm really excited to go back and look at the film, see what lanes and angles and talk to (special teams coordinator) Danny (Smith), just game plan for stuff."

• Steelers wide receivers haven't had to worry about keeping themselves alive all that much later into downs in recent seasons.

That will obviously be different with Wilson and/or Fields playing this season.

"Tonight was our first real test on the scramble drill," Fields said. "You see it in practice, but I definitely think we have room to grow with that. Me and Russ, we can extend plays. We can both run around. We definitely need to work on that a little bit more. I thought we did a decent job of that, but I think we can do a better job of staying alive."

Then again, most of these receivers also are new to the team, with Pickens and Austin being the lone veteran holdovers.

Learning to get to an open spot on the field on the side to which the quarterback is rolling is something the receivers will need to continue to work.

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