Bills 17, Steelers 10: Assessing The Disappointing Defeat

PITTSBURGH, PA - The results were about what might be expected when an NFL team asks an undrafted rookie quarterback to attempt 38 passes in a game. Devlin Hodges threw four interceptions in the Steelers disappointing 17-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Heinz Field on Sunday.

Here's what writers across the country thought about the game:

• Jared Dubin, CBS Sports: "The Buffalo defense locked down Devlin Hodges and company, allowing only two scoring drives all evenin, a field goal in the first half and a touchdown early in the second. The Steelers' other nine drives ended like this: interception, punt, punt, fumble, punt, interception, punt, interception, interception. It's pretty much impossible for a team to win when the opposing defense holds them to results like that."

• Sal Maiorana, USA Today: "This was a tremendous night for the Bills as they were making their first appearance since 2007 on "Sunday Night Football"which is now considered the NFL’s weekly showcase game, far surpassing Monday night in prestige. It was yet another opportunity for the Bills to prove who they are on the heels of their coming out party on Thanksgiving Day when the largest turkey day audience in nearly 30 years tuned in for their dismantling of the Cowboys."

• Dan Bernstein, Sporting News: "Pittsburgh (8-6) appeared in control Sunday until Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White jumped a route in the third quarter for his second pick of the game. White's 49-yard return set up a game-tying field goal and seemed to galvanize Buffalo's defense, which did not allow a point in the fourth period."

Jeremy Bergman, NFL.com: "Pittsburgh's playoff hopes didn't necessarily take a hit with Sunday's result, as everyone else behind them in the wild-card race also lost this weekend -- Indianapolis plays New Orleans on Monday night -- but the Steelers' confidence might have been bruised. Tied at 8-6 with Tennessee in the sixth seed, the Steelers have the Jets and Ravens (potentially without their starters) the next two weeks. Those will be tests for a confounding offense to get back on track after Sunday's display."

• Mark Maske, The Washington Post: "Devlin Hodges threw a third-quarter touchdown pass to tailback James Conner but the Pittsburgh offense was ineffective and error-prone. The Steelers had their three-game winning streak ended and fell to 8-6, although they held on to the second wild-card spot in the AFC."