ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Cornerback Dewayne Washington did what the Pittsburgh Steelers offense had trouble doing -- scoring a touchdown. It was enough to beat the struggling Buffalo Bills this afternoon.
Washington ran Travis Henry's fumble 63 yards, sparking the Steelers to a 20-3 win over the Bills, who opened a season 0-3 for only the second time since 1986.
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Buffalo Bills QB Rob Johnson grimaces in pain as he is taken down by Steelers' Joey Porter (55) in first half play today at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Steelers won 20-3. (Mike Groll, AP photo) |
While the Steelers offense sputtered, rusty in part from a 21-day break, the defense was primed. Washington's play highlighted a strong effort in which Pittsburgh sacked Rob Johnson four times and held the Bills to 172 yards on offense.
Coming off a bye weekend and after the NFL's Week 2 scheduled was postponed, the Steelers (1-1) hadn't played since their 21-3 season-opening loss to Jacksonville on Sept. 9.
The Bills continued to be ineffective, an indication of their young, revamped and banged up team.
Johnson was booed off the field three times, still having trouble grasping the newly introduced West Coast offense. Johnson, who appeared to hurt his right foot, left the game with under four minutes left and finished 13-for-22 for 104 yards.
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Left tackle Kris Farris broke his right leg this afternoon, further depleting the Buffalo Bills' offensive line.
Farris, starting in place of John Fina, was blocking at the line when running back Travis Henry fell helmet first into the back of Farris' leg. The play happened near the end of the first quarter of Buffalo's 20-3 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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Backup Alex Van Pelt mopped up, throwing an interception Chad Scott ran back 62 yards, allowing the Steelers to run out the clock at the Bills 15.
Johnson's been sacked four or more times in 11 of his last 14 starts, and is winless in his last six, going back to Buffalo's 21-17 victory over Kansas City last Nov. 19.
It didn't help that his protection was made up of a patchwork offensive line missing starters John Fina (bruised quadriceps) and Jonas Jennings (hip flexor). Worse still, Fina's backup, Kris Farris, left the game in the first quarter with what appeared a serious right leg injury.
The game turned in surprising fashion late in the first quarter.
The Steelers were called for three straight penalties for 35 yards, giving the Bills the ball on Pittsburgh's 40.
Two plays later, Henry had the ball poked out of his arms by Brent Alexander. Washington scooped it up on one bounce, broke free of Johnson's tackle and outran Peerless Price.
Kris Brown, who missed a 33-yard field goal in the first quarter, hit from 30 and 52 yards, while Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala rumbled 22 yards for a touchdown to seal the victory with 3:42 left.
Buffalo's lone score came on Jake Arians' 23-yard field goal late in the second quarter.
Jerome Bettis had a strong game, rushing for 114 yards on 21 carries. Kordell Stewart was inconsistent, going 15-for-22 for 107 yards. Hines Ward caught nine passes for 79 yards.
The Bills also lost defensive end Phil Hansen early in the third quarter (right forearm), and third-string receiver Jeremy McDaniel (ankle).
Before the game, Buffalo's first at home since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, New York Gov. George Pataki gave an impassioned speech, highlighting the ceremony honoring firefighters, police officers and emergency crews.
Bills owner Ralph Wilson donated $130,000 worth of tickets to local emergency personnel, selling out the game.
Follow post-game updates here at post-gazette.com and find complete game coverage and analysis in tomorrow's print editions of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers beat Buffalo, 20-3 
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