Josh Allen set a career mark for rushing TDs by a QB as the Bills beat the Steelers

PITTSBURGH — Josh Allen threw for one touchdown and ran for another, Joe Bosa sacked Aaron Rodgers to spring Christian Benford for a game-tying, 17-yard scoop and score, and the Buffalo Bills held off the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 26-7 victory on Sunday.

Buffalo (8-4) bounced back from a loss in Houston to edge Pittsburgh (6-6). James Cook rushed for 144 yards as the Bulls racked up 249 yards on the ground and controlled the clock for nearly 42 minutes inside blistering Accreor Stadium.

The gusty winds made passing nearly impossible at one of the toughest spots in the league. Allen completed 15 of 23 passes for 123 yards and a three-yard scoring toss to Kevin Coleman, who returned to an active role after being a healthy scratch the past two weeks due to disciplinary issues.

The reigning MVP essentially put the game away when he crossed the goal line from eight yards out early in the fourth quarter to give the Bulls a 16-point lead. It was Allen’s 76th career rushing touchdown, breaking the NFL record for touchdown runs by a quarterback that he briefly shared with Cam Newton.

Losing both starting offensive tackles and facing one of the league’s best pass rushers, the Bills kept it simple. They repeatedly attacked Pittsburgh’s leaky run defense, and whenever Buffalo appeared on the verge of breaking, Allen extended the drive with his legs.

Things didn’t go so smoothly for Pittsburgh. Rodgers, playing with a brace protecting his broken left wrist, was largely ineffective and missed part of a drive early in the second half after being drilled by Bosa on the first play of the third quarter.

Rodgers fumbled on the play, and Benford picked up the loose ball and raced to the end zone to turn a 7-3 halftime deficit into a 10-7 lead. The 41-year-old quarterback left the field with a bloody nose.

Mason Rudolph filled in for Rodgers for a series and threw an interception that ended up in Benford’s hands. Buffalo marched 56 yards in eight plays, and Allen’s fourth down pass to Phillip Coleman gave the Bulls firm control.

Rodgers returned but finished 10 of 21 for 117 yards as the Steelers lost in seven games for the fifth time while being booed repeatedly.

Despite the win, Pittsburgh remains in a tie with Baltimore for the AFC North lead. The rivals meet twice in the last five weeks.

Buffalo’s hopes of catching AFC East-leading New England are alive, and the brand of football the Bulls displayed in late November could serve them well.

Bulls: Bosa sustained a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter and did not return to rest with Buffalo.

Steelers: LB Patrick Queen left late in the first half with a right hip injury and did not return. CB James Pierre left in the second half after entering the concussion protocol.

Bulls: Host Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals next Sunday.

Steelers: Visit Baltimore next Sunday, hoping to bounce back and take control of the division.