The Steelers have a long history of memorable moments throughout the years, and during the 2025 season we are going to highlight those moments against each week's opponent.
This week, we feature games against the Buffalo Bills.
**Steelers 40, Buffalo Bills 21** AFC Divisional Playoff Game January 6, 1996
Three Rivers Stadium
The Steelers jumped out to a 20-7 lead over the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Playoff Game and never looked back, although the Bills did make it interesting when they pulled to within five at 26-21 in the fourth quarter.
The Steelers shut them down from that point on, though.
"Obviously it was a big win for us," said Coach Bill Cowher. "We certainly made it interesting. We had a lot of opportunities. You guys have seen Buffalo in the playoffs and there's no lead that's safe. We responded defensively with a couple of big turnovers. Neil (O'Donnell) played well. The big man (Bam Morris) took over running the football. We were opportunistic defensively. It was good to play a game here in Three Rivers. The fans were fantastic."
Quarterback Neil O'Donnell completed 19 of 35 passes for 262 yards and one touchdown, a 10-yard scoring strike to Ernie Mills, and two interceptions. It was the ground game, and kicker Norm Johnson, that would keep the Steelers on top.
Running back Bam Morris rushed for 106 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns, while John L. Williams had three carries for four yards, including a one-yard touchdown run. Johnson hit four field goals, helping to propel the Steelers to the 40-21 win.
Morris pounded it out when the Steelers needed him late.
"When you get Bam in there and you get him running well, he always falls forward," said O'Donnell. "He's a big kid. He keeps it third and two or three and that's what we try to strive for is keep it third and short or medium."
The defense had a strong outing, holding running back Thurman Thomas to just 46 yards on 13 carries, and one touchdown.
Quarterback Jim Kelly struggled, completing 14 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown, but threw three interceptions. Kelly left the game temporarily with an injury, giving way to Alex Van Pelt, but returned in the middle of a fourth quarter drive to throw a touchdown pass to Thomas.
On two of the final Bills drives, the Steelers would get the best of him, with interceptions by linebacker Jerry Olsavsky, the first of his career, and fellow linebacker Levon Kirkland, before Van Pelt came in to close out the game.
"I thought we did a good job against their football team," said defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. "They have a really fine offense, a really veteran of with great talent everywhere. You saw them gain 340 yards (rushing) last week and we knew that we couldn't allow that to happen. Our guys answered the challenge. He (Thurman Thomas) made some plays on us and they're going to do that. But on a whole, there were some plays I wish we'd played better, but I thought our guys played a tremendous game. When the game got close down there at the end, we came up with two great big takeaways and really safely put the game away."