Dec 11, 2016 5 min read

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – There have been a lot of great individual games in the 83-year history of the Steelers.

None were likely as good as the one running back Le’Veon Bell had Sunday in Pittsburgh’s 27-20 win over the Buffalo Bills.

With quarterback Ben Roethlisberger having a tough day – he threw three interceptions – that typically means the team is in for a long, and likely losing, day.

Bell and the Steelers’ offensive line weren’t about to let that happen.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, who won his 100th regular-season game in 10 seasons, watched as Roethlisberger threw two interceptions in the first half against the Bills. At halftime, he challenged the running game to take over.

“We ran the ball really great in the first half,” said right tackle Marcus Gilbert. “Coming out (in the second half) Coach Tomlin put it on us and Le’Veon. He told (No.) 26 to carry us out of this stadium. He did.”

And then some.

Bell, the Steelers’ multi-purpose running back, set a team record with 236 rushing yards on 38 bruising carries and adding four receptions for 62 yards. He also scored three rushing touchdowns, tying a team record.

Bell did everything but take out the trash.

“I didn’t really think about it while we were doing it, but, come on, that’s pretty cool,” said guard David DeCastro. “Let’s be honest. December football, cold. We set a franchise rushing record. It’s the kind of game you dream of.”

And it was needed because Roethlisberger, as has been the case the past few years on the road, was misfiring.

Though the Steelers dominated the first half, they led just 14-7 because Roethlisberger threw two interceptions.

But Bell ran for 77 yards in that first half. And Tomlin correctly assessed that the best way to acquire a victory was to keep handing the ball to Bell.

So when the Steelers got the ball after forcing a Buffalo punt to start the second half, Roethlisberger handed off to Bell on nine of the next 10 plays. He gained 73 yards on those nine carries, including a five-yard touchdown run around the left end on which he walked into the end zone untouched behind fullback Roosevelt Nix.

The Steelers gave it to Bell another 16 times in the second half – 25 total – as he gained 163 yards in the third and fourth quarters.

“We kind of changed up the game plan a little bit in the second half and we came out there and executed really well,” said Bell.

That opening drive was demoralizing for the Bills. What came after that was just the coup de grâce.

“They knew we were going to run it. They couldn’t stop it,” said Gilbert.

“That’s December-style football there,” said Roethlisberger.

There is no worse feeling in football than knowing the opposing team is running the football and you’re unable to stop it.

The Steelers didn’t mask their intentions. They continued to pound Nix into the line of scrimmage. They brought in offensive lineman Chris Hubbard as an extra blocker.

And the Bills had no answer.

“He is amazing,” Bills safety Corey Graham said of Bell. “There is no other way to look at it. He is definitely the best running back in the league. I don’t think there is any doubt, any question. He has patience like I have never seen in any back in my life. Strong, just like the strongest back I’ve seen. He is just the real deal.”

It’s a big reason why the Steelers should have no issue giving Bell a new contract at the end of this season.

If he’s not the best running back, as Graham said, in the league, he’s not far behind whoever is.

And at 24, he just continues to get better.

After a four-game losing streak left them at 4-5, who has the team turned to in order to change their course?

Bell.

Yes, he’s been suspended twice for violation of the league’s substance abuse policy, but the Steelers don’t think he’s a bad person. They trust Bell both as a player and individual because of the hard work they see him put in that make 40-touch games such as the one he had Sunday possible.

And it’s no coincidence Bell has rushed for 100 or more yards in each of the Steelers’ past four games and all four have resulted in wins.

It seems, at times, that Pittsburgh falls in love with throwing the ball and becomes a finesse-style offense. That’s fine if you’re playing in a dome or in Florida. But there’s a reason why the Steelers and other AFC North teams have traditionally relied on strong running games and solid defense to win. When you’re playing in inclement weather, power football always works if you have the goods. The Steelers have that with Bell and their offensive line.

The Steelers are going to continue to ride Bell. He doesn’t mind the work. In fact, he welcomes it.

“That’s why I condition myself the way I do in practice,” said Bell. “(That’s why) I condition in the offseason the way I do. I take of my body and make sure I’m always good.”

He was better than good against the Bills. He was great.

Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter.com.