Josh Allen sets NFL record for most quarterback rushing TDs

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Josh Allen set the NFL record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback on Sunday in Pittsburgh and also helped keep the Buffalo Bills in the AFC playoffs.

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The 29-year-old center from Firebaugh, Calif., broke a tie with former Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots star Cam Newton when he rushed right for an eight-yard score in the fourth quarter as the Bills beat the host Steelers 26-7 at Akrisur Stadium.

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Allen's 76th career rushing touchdown also ranked him 25th overall among all players in NFL history, as he is now tied with former Cincinnati Bengals running back Pete Johnson.

“That’s not why I play this game,” Allen said during press conference after the game when asked about the record, he noted that his offensive line pushed him to the score after the Steelers defense stopped him at the goal line.

“I’m just happy to help the team get a win today.”

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Big play for the Bills rushing attack.

It was Allen's 11th day rushing touchdown of the season — tied for second in the league with the Green Bay Packers' Josh Jacobs — after throwing a career-high 15 rushing touchdowns in 2023 and 12 more last season.

Allen also scored a touchdown, the 214th of his career, tying him with former San Francisco 49ers mainstay John Brodie for 43rd all-time.

Buffalo (8-4) bounced back from a loss in Houston by beating Pittsburgh (6-6) ahead. James Cook also rushed for 144 yards as the Bills accumulated 249 yards on the ground and controlled the clock for nearly 42 minutes at a rowdy Akrisur Stadium.

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Gusty winds made passage difficult at one of the league's toughest stadiums. Allen completed 15 of 23 for 123 yards with an interception and a three-yard scoring throw to Keon Coleman, who returned to the active roster after being a healthy scratch the past two weeks due to disciplinary issues.

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With no starting tackles on offense and facing one of the best pass rushes in the league, the Bills kept it simple. They repeatedly attacked Pittsburgh's weak defense, and whenever Buffalo was on the verge of collapsing, Allen increased his kicking.

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Rodgers aggravated injury on costly hit

Things didn't go so smoothly in Pittsburgh. Aaron Rodgers playing with a brace protecting a broken left wristwas largely ineffective and missed part of one kick early in the second half after being coached by Joey Bosa on the first play of the third quarter.

Rodgers fumbled the play, and Christian Benford scooped up the ball and raced to the end zone, turning a 7-3 halftime deficit into a 10-7 lead. The 41-year-old defender left the field with a bloody nose.

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Mason Rudolph replaced Rodgers on the series and threw an interception that ended up in Benford's hands. Buffalo marched 56 yards in eight plays, and Allen's fourth-down throw to Coleman gave the Bills firm control.

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

Despite the swoon, Pittsburgh is still tied with Baltimore for the AFC North lead. The rivals have met twice in the last five weeks.

Meanwhile, Buffalo's hopes of catching AFC East-leading New England (10-2) remain alive as the Patriots host the New York Giants (2-10) on Monday night.

— With files from The Associated Press.

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