The Pittsburgh Steelers escaped Week 6 with a 20-18 win over Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Acrisure Stadium on the shoulders of strong play by backup quarterback, Mitch Trubisky. After starting rookie, Kenny Pickett, was knocked out of the game with a concussion on a hit by Buccaneers linebacker, Devin White, the Pittsburgh Week 1 starter calmly helped secure the black and gold offense to the win.
Steelers Backup QB Mitch Trubisky, WR Chase Claypool Huge Reason Why Team Upset Buccaneers In Week 6
According to early reports from veteran journalist, Dale Lolley, who has been covering the team since 1993, is the host of The Drive on Steelers Nation Radio, and a contributing editor and writer for the Steelers, Pittsburgh will need to depend on the former Chicago Bears' second overall pick in 2017 to guide them to victory again.
With Kenny Pickett in concussion protocol, expect Mitch Trubisky to start next Sunday night in Miami. It basically takes a week for a player to clear protocol. And that doesn't include a lot of practice. Wouldn't surprise me if Mason Rudolph is No. 2 next week for the Steelers.
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) October 17, 2022
Pittsburgh faces off against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday Night Football against a club that is very familiar with losing their starting quarterback.
Week 3: Tua injured, Teddy in (briefly)
— The Phinsider (@thephinsider) October 16, 2022
Week 4: Tua injured, Teddy in
Week 5: Teddy injured, Skylar in
Week 6: Skylar injured, Teddy in.
What a month.
According to multiple reports, Pittsburgh will be facing Tua Tagovailoa when they travel to Miami for a matchup of both teams' Week 1 starters.
Early Keys to a Steelers Victory in Miami
In the first four weeks, before Trubisky was yanked in favor of Pickett at Acrisure Stadium against the New York Jets, the Pittsburgh offense was almost non-existent. Head coach Mike Tomlin outlined it was not all on the six-year veteran's shoulders, but admitted his play was certainly a factor.
Trubisky looked like the quarterback many hoped he would be for Pittsburgh when he was thrust back into the line of duty against the Buccaneers on Sunday. The Steelers' offense, which had struggled mightily on third down earlier in the year, finished a modest 7 for 15 against Tampa and in key "gotta have it" situations like 3 and 11 just before the two-minute warning, Trubisky made the most of them.
Trubisky ➡️ Claypool comes up BIG 🙌
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 16, 2022
(via @steelers)pic.twitter.com/sj4KqOg1Sd
While Pickett certainly offered more in the ground game with a pair of rushes for 16 yards, including picking up 10 yards on a 3rd and long to set up Jaylen Warren for a one-yard fourth-down conversion, Trubisky looked much more confident throwing the ball down the field.
Kenny Pickett and Najee Harris celebrate the games 1st TD in the 1st quarter Sunday at Acrisure Stadium vs Tampa Bay. Photo - Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
The 28-year-old completed 9 passes for an average of 16 yards per completion, with a long of 45 on a third-down connection with rookie Connor Heyward. Pickett on the other hand averaged just over 6 yards on 11 completions with a long of 14 on the day.
If Pickett is indeed stuck in concussion protocol and unable to play in Miami, the improved play from Trubisky and his newfound chemistry with previously struggling wideout, Chase Claypool, will be central to keeping Pittsburgh on a path to consecutive victories for the first time this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Chase Claypool (#11) during a game against the Buffalo Bills at Orchard Park on Oct. 9, 2022. | Steelers.com
As Lolley points out, if the Steelers' rookie quarterback from the University of Pittsburgh, can't go, it will likely be Mason Rudolph taking the backup role for the team in Miami.
If healthy, Pittsburgh may be inclined to turn to Pickett and according to veteran Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter, Joe Starkey, it is what they should do. But it's good to know the veteran Trubisky can come in and help the black and gold to secure a victory playing the way he did against Tampa.
So, Steeler Nation, do you think it should be Kenny Pickett getting the start in Miami if he's healthy? Did Trubisky do enough for the Steelers to give him the starter job on Sunday and let the rookie rest up another week? How would you feel if Rudolph is pulled into action?
As always, let us know what you think, either in the comment section down below or on our social media feeds.
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