The Buffalo Bills were on a roll, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-0 late in the second quarter of Monday's AFC Wild Card playoff game.

But then, on a routine field goal attempt, all hell broke out, video shows.

The Bills attempted a 49-yard kick in the frigid cold, but kicker Tyler Bass lined up and punter Sam Martin blocked the attempt.

Not only did the Steelers thwart the attempt, but Martin, who was sprinting to retrieve the ball, appeared to pull his hamstring and was lame as the ball splashed to the other side of the field.

Watch the punter get shot at the end pic.twitter.com/LJFEOjF8Ir

— 𝐅𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐊𝐈𝐄 (@FrankiesTwoLoud) January 15, 2024

This optic is really interesting.First, Martin has a hand warmer in his hand and tries to track down the Steelers linebacker. Nick Herbig.It's not that Martin is small by NFL standards – he is. listed At 6-foot-1 and 211 pounds, he will likely need to use his full potential to compete against the 240-pound Helbig.

Fortunately for Martin, Herbig simply jumped on the ball, allowing Martin to jog off the field with his injured hamstring, hand warmers, etc. (Related article: Insult to injury: Playoff losers' planes delayed for hours after crushing loss)

Although Martin looked visibly groggy, he actually returned to the game and punted a ball in the third quarter. The heroic effort prompted CBS Sports broadcaster Tony Romo to liken the punter to 1970s Knicks star Willis Reed. fought through In 1970, he suffered a torn thigh while leading the Knicks to their first NBA championship.

Sam Martin is basically Willis Reed pic.twitter.com/hlaqngxTS5

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 15, 2024

The comparison is apt, considering Martin turned the field on the Bills in that moment, kicking the ball out of their own 20 and deep into the Steelers' territory.