ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Put aside the turnovers, middling passing production, poor tackling and all the other issues that have hounded the Buffalo Bills for much of this season.

At a time their playoff chances showed signs of dimming, Buffalo provided a tenacious response in a 26-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers . It was an outing that wasn’t so much perfect, but ultimately essential in reminding the NFL — and themselves, perhaps — that the five-time defending AFC East champions aren’t going down easy.

Buffalo (8-4) still faces an uphill climb to catch division-leading New England. But the Bills kept pace to stay in contention in a tightly packed AFC playoff race that features 10 teams at .500 or better.

“They knew this would be a challenge, and they rose to the occasion,” coach S

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