This is the 12th in a 13-part weekly series examing the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers versus their 2020 opponents.
First game: Oct. 11, 1970 (Pittsburgh Steelers, 23 Buffalo Bills, 10)
Head-to-head record: 16-10 (Steelers)
Points scored: Steelers, 595 Buffalo, 467
Longest winning streak: Pittsburgh (6), 2001-2016
Shutouts: (3) Steelers shut out Bills twice
The Steelers-Bills history didn’t start until Buffalo joined the National Football League in the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Pittsburgh welcomed them to the league with five wins in six seasons, including a 32-14 AFC divisional playoff game.
The Bills made them pay with five consecutive losses from 1986 to 1993. One of them was a 24-3 routing at Three Rivers Stadium. The only points scored by the Steelers was a field goal from Gary Anderson.
The Steelers and Bills clashed once more in the divisional round — January 9, 1993. Pittsburgh’s defense held Buffalo scoreless until late in the first half on a one-yard rushing touchdown by Thurman Thomas. The Steelers kept piling on the points to the tune of 40-21.
Pittsburgh has never lost with Ben Roethlisberger at the helm. In his four games versus Buffalo, Big Ben is 4-0.
