PITTSBURGH (AP) — Kenny Pickett guided a pair of quick touchdown drives in less than a quarter's worth of work and the Pittsburgh Steelers breezed past the sloppy Buffalo Bills 27-15 on Saturday night.
The second-year quarterback connected on a third down pass during Pittsburgh's first possession to set up a 62-yard touchdown sprint by backup running back Jaylen Warren. Pickett then found Pat Freiermuth for a 25-yard score on the first snap after a 54-yard punt return by Calvin Austin as the Steelers' starters on both sides of the ball looked sharp in likely their last appearance for Sept. 10's season opener against San Francisco.
The Bills (1-1) were not quite as crisp in safety Damar Hamlin's return to his hometown. The Pittsburgh native received a warm ovation and exchanged hugs with several Steelers — including Pickett, a college teammate of Hamlin's at Pitt — during the opening coin toss. Hamlin had three tackles in the first half as he continues his comeback from a near-death experience on the field in Cincinnati in January.
The good vibes of Hamlin coming home aside, the Bills showed there's still plenty to work on before visiting the New York Jets on Sept. 11. Josh Allen completed 7 of 10 passes in his lone preseason appearance, but failed to lead Buffalo to any points during three series.
The Bills did reach Pittsburgh territory on its second drive before penalties on three consecutive snaps pushed them out of scoring position.
Stefon Diggs caught two of the five passes sent his way for 22 yards. Rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid continued his impressive summer by hauling in three passes for 45 yards, one of the few bright spots for Buffalo.
Backup quarterback Matt Barkley threw three interceptions, including a lob that Pittsburgh second-round pick, cornerback Joey Porter Jr., hauled in to set up a touchdown pass from Mitch Trubisky to Connor Heyward in the waning seconds of the first half to extend the lead 21-0.
The Steelers (2-0) have made it a point to push the ball downfield more this season with Pickett now firmly entrenched as the starter. While it's still just mid-August, the early signs are promising.
Warren darted through a hole and used an excellent downfield block by wide receiver Diontae Johnson to race 62 yards down the sideline on the sixth play of the game to give the Steelers a quick lead.
The defense forced a punt and Austin, who missed all of last season with a foot injury, raced upfield to set Pickett and the offense up at the Buffalo 25. Pickett needed just one play to find a streaking Freiermuth at the goal line.
The big-play ability is something the Steelers lacked in 2022 when they had just one offensive touchdown longer than 24 yards all season. They have four scores of 25 yards or more through two preseason games, three of them coming with Pickett in the game.
INJURIES
Buffalo offensive tackle Tommy Doyle was carted off the field early in the third quarter with a left knee injury. ... Bills starting tight end Dawson Knox did not dress because of a finger injury.
Pittsburgh starting defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi sat out a second straight game with a foot/ankle injury. ... Backup offensive lineman Nate Herbig (shoulder) and safety Tre Norwood (leg) also did not play.
HONORING FRANCO
The Steelers unveiled a jersey display for late Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris during a pregame ceremony inside the Great Hall at Acrisure Stadium.
The club officially retired Harris' No. 32 last December, just days after Harris died unexpectedly at 72. Longtime teammate Rocky Bleier spoke at the unveiling, which was attended by Harris' widow Dana and their son Dok. Dana and Dok Harris also served as honorary captains for the game.
UP NEXT
Bills: Visit Chicago next Saturday.
Steelers: Wrap up the preseason in Atlanta on Thursday.
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