Steelers vs. Bills live score, updates, highlights from NFL wild-card playoff game

Was there ever any doubt that Mike Tomlin and the Steelers would be here?

Pittsburgh’s longtime coach is perhaps the most-consistent tactician in all of football. And neither injury crisis nor quarterbacking deficiencies could keep his side from the promised land of postseason football.

Just how far the Steelers (10-7) make it in the playoffs is anyone’s guess. But Tomlin’s place as one of the sport’s greatest-ever coaches is undeniable at this point after 17 straight years without a losing season. 

Tomlin’s squad will have its hands full in the wild-card round. The Bills (11-6) overcame a putrid start to the year to capture an AFC East title. And with Josh Allen, James Cook and Stefon Diggs waiting in the wings, Buffalo always appears on the brink of greatness.

MORE: Watch NFL playoff games live with Fubo (free trial)

Allen’s campaign has been speckled with contradictions. He’s still one of the sport’s most explosive talents — best evidenced by pouring in 44 touchdowns (29 by air, 15 by ground) and nearly 4,900 yards of total offense during the regular season.

But he sat close to the league lead in interceptions (18, a career-high) and his giveaways wore thin, especially as Buffalo attempted to overcome a slow start to capture postseason billing.

Which version of Allen will show up in January? With T.J. Watt absent, Bills fans will be hoping for the precise version of the Wild West gunslinger. If so, they could be on the prowl for a Lombardi Trophy in due time.

The Sporting News is tracking updates from Monday’s wild-card contest between the Steelers and Bills. Follow along below for highlights and live results as all the action unfolds at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo.

Steelers vs. Bills score

Steelers vs. Bills live updates, highlights from 2024 NFL playoff game

(All times Eastern)

End of third quarter: Bills 24, Steelers 10

6:59 p.m.: Pickens again! Rolled around the edge for another first down on the end around. He’s starting to percolate. And it’s got the Steelers trotting into Buffalo territory.

6:57 p.m.: Huge throw and catch between Rudolph and Pickens on third-and-long! Biggest play of the game for Pittsburgh, which keeps its comeback effort alive with the timely first.

6:50 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! Bass sinks his effort to bring the Bills’ lead back to 14.

Bills 24, Steelers 10

6:30 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! Chris Boswell splits the uprights from distance to keep his perfect postseason record alive. More importantly, his make cuts Pittsburgh’s deficit to just 11.

​​​​​​​Bills 21, Steelers 10

End of second quarter: Bills 21, Steelers 7

6:02 p.m.: Diggs got folded up like a pretzel after incurring a heavy hit. He’s slow to get up. Could be a problem for Buffalo moving forward if he’s unable to get back into this one. Keep in mind, Gabe Davis is already out of this one.

5:59 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Rudolph flashes a pass to Diontae Johnson to open the scoring for the Steelers.

Dionate Johnson gets the @steelers on the board after the blocked FG ‼️

📺: #PITvsBUF on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/rnjmj1Pg4j pic.twitter.com/YEG09iWzXl

— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2024

Bills 21, Steelers 7

5:52 p.m.: BLOCKED KICK! Tyler Bass’ effort finds Bills hands. It sprawls down the field before settling on Buffalo’s 33-yard line. Could that be just what Pittsburgh needed to get back into this one?

.@steelers block the field goal 😤

📺: #PITvsBUF on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/rnjmj1Pg4j pic.twitter.com/M8vjGUXpdw

— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2024

Also, worth noting that Bills punter Sam Martin looked to have done his hamstring while trying to corral the loose ball. That could be consequential if the Steelers are able to get back into this one.

5:48 p.m.: The Bills are flying. And much of that is due to Allen, who is currently at 13-of-17 passing for 131 yards and two touchdowns. He’s got another 61 on three carries (and a score) so far. He’s putting on a show under the lights at Highmark Stadium.

5:38 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! It’s Allen who breaks free for yet another score, his third of the game. Taking advantage of Rudolph’s errant throw to put the Steelers firmly in control as the second quarter winds down.

6′ 5″, 237 pounds and just flying by everyone. 🤷‍♂️

📺: #PITvsBUF on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/rnjmj1Pg4j pic.twitter.com/GlUOH6OU6o

— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2024

Bills 21, Steelers 0

5:30 p.m.: INTERCEPTION! The Steelers began to find space and success for the first time today, even bringing the ball on the brink of the end zone. Unfortunately for them, Rudolph’s pass flew into the hands of Kaiir Elam, who snuck in front of his marker to break Pittsburgh hearts.

KAIIR WITH THE INT‼️

📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/bhJ4dIGLfl

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 15, 2024

End of first quarter: Bills 14, Steelers 0

5:17 p.m.: Rudolph delivered an arrow to Pat Freiermuth, who frolicked down the meadow for an additional ten or so yards. He was brought down racing towards the sideline, at which point a Bills defender jarred the ball loose. It looked to be recovered by Buffalo, however, referees ruled the ball hit Freiermuth’s helmet before slithering out of play. Could be a hugely consequential call later.

5:15 p.m.: Scoring slowing up with the Steelers and Bills failing to find much of anything in their past two drives. Pittsburgh will look to make magic happen on the possession.

5:05 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Allen finds Kincaid on the first play of the drive for liftoff. 29 yards. The Bills are three feet high and rising at present.

And now Allen to Kincaid for 6!

A perfect start for @JoshAllenQB and the @BuffaloBills.

📺: #PITvsBUF on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/rnjmj1Pg4j pic.twitter.com/Bepp3cfI4m

— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2024

Bills 14, Steelers 0

5:02 p.m.: FUMBLE! Uh oh! George Pickens stretched high to reach Rudolph’s arrow. As he fielded it and turned upstream, he was met by a Bills defender. The ball tumbled onto the turf, which was eventually scooped up by Buffalo hands. The play was initially ruled an incompletion. However, it looks like it will be overturned in due time.

4:57 p.m.: Allen slips beyond his marker for eight yards, doing what he does best and making folks disappear in open field. It doesn’t prove all that consequential in the end, though: he saw his ensuing throw miss the mark on third down, prompting another punt.

4:52 p.m.: Sean McDermott mystifies Mason Rudolph with his coverage, forcing the Steelers’ hurler into a third-down incompletion. Buffalo is thriving in the early moments of this one.

4:47 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Allen hits Dawson Knox as the Bills open the scoring for today’s clash.

DAWSON KNOX FOR SIX!

📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/IOht4RlESp

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 15, 2024

Bills 7, Steelers 0

4:45 p.m.: Stefon Diggs gets his name in the lights with two catches totaling 22 yards. Sprinkle in a James Cook rush for another 10 or so yards and the Bills are on the brink of finding the end zone.

4:42 p.m.: Allen finds Dalton Kincaid with a soft toss as the Bills pick up 20 yards in the blink of an eye. Buffalo is driving down the field with relative fervor.

4:35 p.m.: Pittsburgh’s opening drive falls short, with the Steelers being forced to send the ball to Buffalo after five plays. Let’s see what Josh Allen and Co. have in store going forward.

4:06 p.m.: Mason Rudolph readying for the most important game of his career.

Let’s work 2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/UNDBnTOLQe

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 15, 2024

3:50 p.m.: The Penguins are lending support to their city counterparts for today’s clash.

Your turn, @steelers.#HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/9aaDtXGZgT

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 15, 2024

3:25 p.m.: So much action happening in the concourses at present. 

This guy is clearing seats by shoveling and throwing snow on other seats…. pic.twitter.com/y4Ls9thFYz

— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) January 15, 2024

GO BILLS pic.twitter.com/EpHXy5MM1C

— Mark (@marKUSguetta) January 15, 2024

3:11 p.m.: Snowballs will be flying across the stadium at Highmark Stadium. It’s not a game out here.

Fans settling into their snow-filled seats for Steelers-Bills. What could possibly go wrong? pic.twitter.com/FyS9rpkmXQ

— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) January 15, 2024

3:06 p.m.: And a look at the inactives for Pittsburgh. T.J. Watt will be a big loss. Minkah Fitzpatrick will be taking part in the festivities, however.

Steelers inactives:
No. 10 QB Mitch Trubisky (3rd QB)
No. 21 CB Darius Rush
No. 37 S Elijah Riley
No. 40 LB Blake Martinez
No. 60 T Dylan Cook
No. 90 LB T.J. Watt
No. 98 DE DeMarvin Leal

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) January 15, 2024

3:02 p.m.: Here are the inactive for the Bills. Gabe Davis, Rasul Douglas and Tyrel Dodson could be major misses for Buffalo today.

Today’s inactives. #PITvsBUF pic.twitter.com/lQD4LgirbI

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 15, 2024

3:00 p.m.: Conditions are still slick as can be ahead of the game. Not for the faint of heart.

Entrance to the concourse at Highmark Stadium is dystopian… pic.twitter.com/2g9GkPUtMc

— Brian Batko (@BrianBatko) January 15, 2024

2:55 p.m.: Stefon Diggs is suited and booted for today’s clash. Did anyone expect anything different?

Cozy vibes. ✨#PITvsBUF | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/z8l7B5Uvq9

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 15, 2024

2:30 p.m.: Snowfall swept over Highmark Stadium before today’s game. However, it’s not expected to interfere with the contest.

[11:30 AM ET] A band of lake effect snow continues across northern Erie County late this morning. Steady snow will continue from the City of Buffalo to Grand Island into the afternoon. Additional accumulations of up to 2 inches are possible. Travel may be slow in this area. pic.twitter.com/nCIibAiixx

— NWS Buffalo (@NWSBUFFALO) January 15, 2024

Steelers vs. Bills start time

• Date: Monday, Jan. 15
• Time: 4:30 p.m. ET, 1 p.m. PT

Steelers vs. Bills will kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET from Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. The game was postponed from its scheduled date and time due to a lake effect snow storm in Buffalo.

What channel is Steelers vs. Bills on today?

• TV network: CBS (U.S.) | TSN 4/5, CTV (Canada)
• Live streams: Paramount+, Fubo (U.S.) | DAZN (Canada)

The Steelers vs. Bills wild-card matchup will be broadcast nationally in the U.S. on CBS. Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Tony Romo (color commentary) will track the game from the booth, while Tracy Wolfson (sideline reporter) will offer updates when appropriate.

Cord-cutters can find Sunday’s clash on Paramount+ as well as Fubo, which offers a free trial.

Canadian viewers can watch the game on TSN 4/5 or CTV, or stream it with DAZN, which carries every NFL game.

NFL playoff schedule 2024

Wild-card round

Saturday, Jan. 13

Sunday, Jan. 14

Monday, Jan. 15

Divisional round

Saturday, Jan. 20

Sunday, Jan. 21

Conference championships

Sunday, Jan. 28

Super Bowl 58

Sunday, Feb. 11