Steelers Leave Bills Battered, Bruised

The Pittsburgh Steelers left the Buffalo Bills physically and emotionally devastated.

The Bills not only lost, 21-3, on Sunday to a Steeler team that had not played in 21 days, but they ran into further injury woes, leaving the rest of their season in question.

And it’s only Week 3.

Initially, the psychological strain from starting 0-3 for only the second time since 1986 appeared to hurt more than the blows their already young, inexperienced depth chart took.

“Even though I have had a few losing seasons since I’ve been here, we still competed,” receiver Eric Moulds said. “Now we’re getting blown out and it seems like nothing’s working.”

Buffalo’s already injury-ravaged offensive line lost Kris Farris, who broke his lower right leg. Farris was taking over for injured starter John Fina.

Quarterback Rob Johnson left the game with a bruised hip. Defensive end Phil Hansen dislocated his right elbow and third-string receiver Jeremy McDaniel suffered a sprained ankle.

The only touchdown Pittsburgh (1-1) needed came when cornerback Dewayne Washington scooped up Travis Henry’s fumble and ran it back 63 yards for a touchdown late in the first quarter.

Washington’s touchdown was the Steelers’ first of the season. Along with sacking Johnson four times, the Steelers limited the Bills to 172 yards. Jerome Bettis had a strong game, rushing for 114 yards in 21 carries.