Even the Acrisure Stadium scoreboard seemed to be unsure of what it should do. The screen lit up like it was going to launch into “Renegade” before flickering and then ultimately blaring the song that has been the Steelers’ late-game tradition through thick and thin.

But instead of igniting the crowd Sunday the way it has countless times before, it was drowned out by boos. It was almost dystopian to see that anthem met with apathy rather than foaming-at-the-mouth excitement, then Steelers defensive players milling about on the field rather than inciting more noise from the cheap seats to the front row.

By then, they were well on their way to a 26-7 home loss to the Buffalo Bills, who brought their own large contingent to the biggest matchup of the NFL’s late-afternoon games. It was 23-7

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