Here we go… again. The Pittsburgh Steelers return home this week to take on their first NFC opponent of the season in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Steelers are quite literally limping into this matchup with a laundry list of names on the injury report. Although the Buccaneers are a different team than last year, Tom Brady still manages to bring a fired-up squad into Pittsburgh and is looking to build on his impressive resume in the stadium previously named Heinz Field. As we enter into the thick of the toughest stretch of the schedule this season, there is a lot that needs to happen to get the Steelers back into the “win” column.
Steelers' Kenny Pickett (#8) gets ready to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Pittsburgh, PA. | Credit: Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers
Let’s take a look at some things we can look forward to when the Steelers take on the Buccaneers.
MATCHUPS AT A GLANCE
Offense: Last week, we only saw three points put up on the board in an awful losing effort. In that effort, there was a plethora of missed opportunities mixed with glimmers of hope from the likes of Kenny Pickett and George Pickens. However, there was one glaring hurdle they couldn’t clear; the red zone. Therefore, the first matchup to watch is the offense versus the red zone.
So far for the season, the offense holds a 25th-ranked 46% scoring percentage when inside the 20-yard line. This is last in the division and didn’t score once from the red zone last week. Ironically enough, the Steelers and Buccaneers are equal in total touchdowns allowed in the red zone (10 touchdowns allowed) and total points allowed (60 total points allowed). But hidden in these numbers is something that is the Buccaneers’ largest weakness. Currently, they are allowing a red zone touchdown-scoring percentage of 76.92 percent. Therefore, if the offense finds themselves inside the 20-yard line, they have a better chance of walking away with points than without. The odds are in their favor in this perspective; it is just a matter of getting the ball to that end of the field.
The other matchup to watch on offense is Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren versus the Buccaneers’ front seven. Although they have one of the best defensive fronts in the league featuring Vita Vea, Devin White, and Lavonte David, the Buccaneers are averaging an allowance of over 115 rushing yards per game to opposing offenses. It is obvious that Pickett can’t shoulder the entire load on offense and needs major help from the rush attack this week. Plus, after throwing over 50 times last week, he needs to give his arm a break and get the ball to Harris and Warren.
Steelers' Najee Harris gets ready for a tough battle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Pittsburgh, PA. | Credit: Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers
MYBOOK PICKS OF THE WEEK -- WEEK 6
Carolina Panthers AT Los Angeles Rams (-10.5) -- LOCK IN THE RAMS
Tampa Bay Bucs AT Pittsburgh Steelers (-8) -- LOCK IN THE BUCS
New York Jets AT Green Bay Packers (-7) -- LOCK IN THE UNDERDOG JETS
Harris has been slow to start the season, but after confirming the removal of a steel plate in his shoe this week, hopefully this gets him back to his normal self. Meanwhile, Warren has been impressive when he sees the field and is averaging almost 5 yards per carry, not to mention over 6.5 yards per reception in the passing game. With the offense looking to keep Brady off the field and extend drives, Harris and Warren will be critical in achieving that.
Defense: There is a lot to unpack this week on the defensive side of the ball. With key contributors missing action this week such as Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cameron Sutton, Ahkello Witherspoon, and Levi Wallace, the secondary is fully exposed to Brady and the passing attack. Therefore, the biggest defensive matchup to watch is the secondary versus Brady, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and the Tampa Bay receiving corps.
We are all familiar with how Brady is able to pick apart the Pittsburgh secondary and this week is shaping to be no exception to that. Without answers to Evans and the rest of the pass catchers, defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin, and defensive assistant, Brian Flores, will have their hands full in creating schemes to keep Brady on his toes. Pittsburgh is still licking their wounds after giving up 432 passing yards last week and there is nothing to help alleviate any concerns this week.
The other defensive matchup to watch is the rush defense versus Leonard Fournette. Although Fournette is averaging only 56 rushing yards per game, the Steelers are featuring one of the bottom-tier rushing defenses and allow an average of over 129 yards per game on the ground. In a game that could be one where Brady and company gain an early lead, they’ll look to rely on Fournette to play keep-away and close the game out. Defensive captain, Cameron Heyward is going to have to step up in a major way this week to take control of the line and contain Fournette.
Steelers' defensive captain Cameron Heyward gets ready to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Pittsburgh, PA. | Credit: Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers
PREDICTION
As unfortunate as it seems, it is hard to see a home victory this week. Although the offense has a bit of a rejuvenation with the Pickett-to-Pickens connection, there is something about Brady that head coach Mike Tomlin can’t quite figure out. Prediction, Steelers, 13, Buccaneers 28.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Another week, another possible Pickett and Ben Roethlisberger statistical connection courtesy the NFL Media Research Department. Brady currently holds an impressive 23-5 career record against rookie starting quarterbacks. He has won his last 12 consecutive games against year one starters. With that said however, the first quarterback to beat Brady was none other than Roethlisberger in 2004.
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 31: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass while defended by Willie McGinest #55 of the New England Patriots at Heinz Field on October 31, 2004 in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
In addition, there are a couple of other ‘firsts’ on Sunday. This will be Pickett’s first start at his old college stomping grounds. After an incredible college career at the University of Pittsburgh and posting a 18-8 all-time record at home, Pickett will take the field for the first time as an NFL quarterback on Sunday. Meanwhile, Tomlin has never beaten his previous employer in Pittsburgh and is only 2-1 against Tampa Bay. With Brady holding a 12-3 all-time record against the Steelers in his career, there is not a lot working in Tomlin’s favor this week.
What are you watching for on Sunday? What do you think the final outcome will be? Let us know in the comments below!
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