NFL Network Under Fire After Abrupt Commercial Break and Broadcast Quality During Steelers-Bills Game
Fans experienced difficulties in watching the Bills-Steelers game on the NFL Network.
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Bills quarterback Josh Allen #17 throws a pass against the Steelers (Image via Sports Illustrated)
Fans often joke about the way networks cover preseason games. Well, nobody was laughing on Friday night when NFL Network aired the Pittsburgh Steelers’ final exhibition game against the Buffalo Bills.
Sure, as spectators, preseason games don’t matter too much in the long run. Some would even prefer the NFL scrap it all together like they did with the Pro Bowl games. But, until then, the networks should provide a better viewing experience for fans starving for football since February.
Unfortunately, fans were disappointed with the choppy broadcasting during Thursday’s preseason clash between the Bills and the Steelers.
Fans call out NFL Network for ruining their viewing experience of the Bills-Steelers game
Several fans on Twitter complained the Network did not use optimal camera angles in the game. The commentary sounded subpar, and the analysis looked half-hearted.
Some fans were annoyed with split-screen popping up at regular intervals, creating a distraction. The Network apparently even skipped a few important plays, leaving fans puzzled.
NFL Network is a joke. #Steelers #NFL https://t.co/y7siSJrurA
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) August 27, 2026
NFL Network tonight:
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) August 28, 2026
Terrible camera man.
Constant double small screens.
Missing multiple important plays.
Constant commercials.
Take the Steelers game off completely for the Raiders.
This is not the way. @nflnetwork
lol 😂 what is NFL Network doing? pic.twitter.com/m7Ay5FEUJD
— Patrick W. Cutler (@PatrickWCutler) August 28, 2026
Is this the worst broadcast/telecast of all time? These guys aren’t even talking about the game. Eating pizza. Drinking beer. This is some awful TV lmao.
— Steelers Network (@SteelersNetwork) August 28, 2026
@nflnetwork lousy coverage of the Steelers – Bills game. Missed plays showing announcers eating stadium food! Ridiculous, unless you want to be the Food Network. Split screens – horrible even on my 75” TV.
— Dave Balint (@DaveWarbird55) August 28, 2026
NFL network has some strange split screen going on right now where someone is pouring a beer into a glass. we did not even see the first play of the drive. just a bizarre night lol
— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) August 28, 2026
This Bills broadcast on NFL Network is an embarrassment to television.
— JJ Cooper (@jjcoop36) August 28, 2026
They are interviewing a chef.
I know this sounds crazy but the people watching in the fourth quarter of a preseason game are the people who really really care about what is happening on the field.
Who is working your cameras bro. @nflnetwork
— B-Wall (@BWall) August 27, 2026
Might be the worst broadcast I’ve ever watched. Missing so many plays smh.
Raise your hand if you want to murder NFL Network right now
— MikedUpSports (@MikedUpSports1) August 28, 2026
The @steelers pre-season game on the @nflnetwork tonight is a trainwreck.
— Tee Crenshaw (@Troyztoys) August 28, 2026
Running a split screen between two different games,dumping one game for another, switching what duo is calling the Steelers game, the cameraman not following the football.
Impossible to enjoy either game. pic.twitter.com/XuSbxqcESP
So the Steelers/Bills is the game on NFL Network tonight and yet they have it on split screen with the Raiders/49ers audio. Just a complete failure for this broadcast tonight.
— Kyle Mitchell (@Shenaniguy) August 28, 2026
That said, no such anomalies were reported during the broadcast of the Los Angeles Rams–Los Angeles Chargers fixture on the Network, which kicked off at 10 p.m.
Ty Simpson delivers a TD strike to Brennan Presley 🔥
— NFL (@NFL) August 28, 2026
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/5Dc65aRqbk
According to USA Today, the NFL Network will also broadcast the Friday, August 28 fixtures between the Baltimore Ravens and the Washington Commanders and the Denver Broncos and the Minnesota Vikings. On Saturday, August 29, they will cover the Indianapolis Colts taking on the Detroit Lions and the final preseason fixture between the Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears.
The Bills edged out the Steelers in a preseason thriller
Both the Bills and the Steelers rested their starters. Veteran Shane Buechele played all four quarters for the Bills. He threw for 26 completions for 196 yards. Frank Gore Jr., Skyler Bell, and Ian Wheeler each scored rushing touchdowns.
Will Howard and Drew Allar shared QB duty for the Steelers. Mason Rudolph did not play. Howard continued his hot streak of conceding interceptions. Then again, the former Ohio State signal-caller threw touchdown passes to rookies Germie Bernard and Lake McRee. First-year rusher Eli Hendrich scored his first career touchdown. Allar, meanwhile, completed 9 of 18 passes for 88 yards.
The Bills emerged victorious by just one point. It finished 28-27. The Bills went undefeated, while the Steelers only managed one win from three.
In the second week of September, the Bills travel to NRG Stadium to kick off the 2026 regular season against the Houston Texans. The Steelers host the Atlanta Falcons at Acrisure Stadium.
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