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'It was just execution' | The Bills reflect on an impressive fourth quarter comeback to close out the preseason

Aug 28, 2026 at 12:03 AM

Seasonal Writing Associate

Buffalo Bills vs Pittsburgh Steelers, Preseason, August 27, 2026 at Highmark Stadium.

Down by 27-17 points in the fourth quarter, the Bills were determined to make a comeback despite the preseason matchup not having an impact record-wise. QB Shane Buechele began by grinding out a nine-play, 41-yard drive that led to a field goal to shrink the deficit to seven.

After forcing back-to-back punts, Buffalo needed its defense to come through again. Bending but not breaking, defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard's group got a huge stop on fourth down in their own territory. The offense got the ball back with 3:20 left to play down by seven.

Even though it was the last preseason game before the regular season, you could still feel the intensity inside Highmark Stadium continue to grow. The team showed no quit, up and down the depth chart.

"I learned a lot about the mindset of both our starters, just how they were on the sidelines, but also the makeup of the football team," head coach Joe Brady said. "… No one will remember the scores of these games and the records, but these are guys playing football. They have the opportunities to continue their careers, and it's hard playing this sport."

Buechele again captained an impressive drive with the game on the line. WR Dante Pettis was huge on the game-winning drive, picking up 16 yards before he earned another 40 from a pass interference called against the defender covering him. That set Buffalo up inside the Steelers' 10-yard line.

Down by the goal line, RB Ian Wheeler punched in a two-yard rushing touchdown, setting up a two-point conversion attempt. Not wanting to tie a preseason game, the Bills went for it, putting the ball in Buechele's hands.

"Shane's the one quarterback that hasn't got as much preseason time through the years," Brady said. "The way the game was flowing, I was like, 'I kind of just want to keep him rolling with it.'"

The 28-year-old quarterback took the snap, was pressured and backpedaled, getting rid of the ball just before being pancaked onto his back. His pass found the hands of Pettis, who got two feet down by the front left pylon to take a 28-27 lead.

"It was just execution," Buechele said. "Me personally, I love a two-minute drill. You just get to play free, and the guys did a good job of executing, giving guys chances. The O-line did a great job. Wheeler running hard at the end, and then Dante running a great route. Everything came together."

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With just over a minute left on the clock, Buffalo again relied on its defense to get a stop. They rose to the occasion once more, solidifying the win to cap off an undefeated preseason.

"Down by two scores, guys don't blink, go down, score, go for two. We want our defense on the field in a two-minute situation, and they didn't blink and made the opportunities. There's so much to be proud of for those guys," Brady said.

The sideline exploded after the two-point conversion, and then again after the defense pulled through to end the game. For a preseason victory, the excitement was shocking.

"It's cool, I think it shows just how close we are with each other," Buechele said. "The connection that we have and everybody being excited for each other, it shows. And doing a thing like that at the end of the game, everybody coming together, fans, players, coaches. I was happy to be on the field and doing it; it was fun."

Buechele was met by a sideline full of teammates celebrating his performance in the comeback victory, coming through for the Bills when they needed him most.

"Seeing him go down there, you can see the energy, you can see the excitement," Brady said. "Look at the whole sideline once we got that two-point play. It was real cool for him to get that opportunity, that experience.

"It's hard as a backup quarterback. You don't get to play a lot of football, especially with the starter that we have. And so, when they get those opportunities to make the most of it, it's a lot of fun."

Never giving up helped prove to Brady that his team has an impressive competitiveness that will hopefully pay dividends as the season progresses.

"That fourth quarter embodied so much of what we've talked about," Brady said. "I care so much about those guys in the locker room. We're not going to pick and choose when we want to compete."

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Buffalo Bills vs Pittsburgh Steelers, Preseason, August 27, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.

Emilee Fails/Buffalo Bills

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Buffalo Bills vs Pittsburgh Steelers, Preseason, August 27, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.

Emilee Fails/Buffalo Bills

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Buffalo Bills vs Pittsburgh Steelers, Preseason, August 27, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.

Emilee Fails/Buffalo Bills

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Buffalo Bills vs Pittsburgh Steelers, Preseason, August 27, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.

Emilee Fails/Buffalo Bills

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Buffalo Bills vs Pittsburgh Steelers, Preseason, August 27, 2025 at Highmark Stadium.

Emilee Fails/Buffalo Bills