All that was left after this season of revival was to showcase it when it mattered most. Instead, they looked worryingly similar to the Chargers of old.
After a brief scare from Denver on the opening drive, Buffalo seized control and never looked back, cruising to a 31-7 win and setting up a showdown with Baltimore.
Baltimore's success on the ground is something it can lean on as the Ravens try to win a Super Bowl for the first time since the 2012 season.
Pittsburgh and Baltimore split their regular-season meetings, but it was clear who the real kings of the AFC North were on Saturday.