The Buffalo Bills delivered a crushing blow to Pittsburgh's playoff aspirations Sunday, dismantling the Pittsburgh Steelers 26-7 in a performance that separated contenders from pretenders in the AFC.

Two quick turnovers to start the second half proved decisive as the Bills pulled away decisively on the road—a victory that could prove critical for a team likely headed to the playoff wild card.

The Steelers, meanwhile, now face the harsh reality: they're fighting just to make the postseason at all, let alone compete for a championship.

Josh Allen Must Resurrect MVP Form or the Bills Stay Home

The Bills roster lacks the offensive firepower to overcome mediocrity at quarterback. That's the brutal truth.

Allen didn't play like an MVP on Sunday—15 of 23 completions, 123 yards, one touchdown, one interception against a struggling Steelers defense. More concerning: he's abandoned his legs as a weapon, the very thing that made him dangerous last season when he won the NFL MVP award.

No one expected him to repeat that performance. But the Bills desperately need him to get close.

Here's why this moment matters: The AFC is genuinely wide open this year. It's the worst possible time for Allen to regress. The championship opportunity is there for the taking—if he can show up.

Without elite quarterback play, the Bills can't hang with the conference's best teams. That's not acceptable in a year when the path to the Super Bowl looks clearer than it has in a decade.

Dalvin Cook Is Carrying This Team

Since Allen can't, Cook is. The fifth-year running back has become the Bills' real MVP.

Cook rushed for 141 yards Sunday, bringing his season total to 1,228—a career high. That marked his seventh 100-yard game this season. The Bills are 6-1 in those games.

A bruising back like that becomes exponentially more valuable in the playoffs, when weather turns vicious, conditions deteriorate, and tired defenses become exploitable. Cook could keep the Bills alive in January even if they limp into the postseason.

But he can't carry them alone. Allen has to engage.

Aaron Rodgers Looks Increasingly Finished

The Steelers' gamble on a 41-year-old quarterback has curdled into bitter reality.

Rodgers is no longer capable of carrying a team. He still makes smart decisions and occasionally uncorks a strong throw, but the physical tools have eroded beyond repair. He lacks the mobility to escape pressure or create off-schedule. His arm strength has declined noticeably. He's become a game manager—which could work on a stacked roster, not a struggling one.

The Steelers must know by now: bringing Rodgers back for another season isn't viable.

Pittsburgh's Defense Has Collapsed

The Steelers banked on resurrecting a defense that finished 12th in the NFL last year. Instead, this year's unit ranks in the bottom five.

Pittsburgh surrendered 249 rushing yards, with an alarming number coming after missed early tackles. On a windy day when Allen was struggling through the air, the Steelers knew runs were coming. They couldn't stop them anyway.

The defensive pressure initially kept Allen contained, but once he broke free from the first wave of rushers, Pittsburgh had no answer. That breakdown will haunt them in the playoffs if they make it.

What's Next

The Bills (8-4) sit two games back in the AFC East with five games remaining—a significant deficit but not insurmountable. They host Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) next Sunday before traveling to face the Patriots (10-2) in two weeks.

The Steelers (6-6) face a must-win scenario Sunday at home against the Baltimore Ravens (6-6), who sit tied with them atop the AFC North. The teams play again in Week 18 in Pittsburgh.