The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had Pittsburgh where they wanted it early, then watched the game slip away.
Tampa Bay built a 16-3 lead before the momentum turned hard in the third quarter, and the Steelers eventually walked out with a 26-19 overtime win. The loss dropped the Bucs to 1-5, and it was their first overtime game since 2024.
For all the disappointment in the final score, Tampa Bay’s defense again gave the team a real chance. Since the Week 2 game against the Cleveland Browns, that group has looked much more stable, and it carried that form into Sunday.
Pittsburgh managed only 2.2 yards per attempt in the first half while Aaron Rodgers was kept in check. The Bucs got after him with multiple sacks, including one each from Miami rookies Rueben Bain Jr. and Keionte Scott, and they also held up well against the run. The Steelers were forced into field goals multiple times, and even though Tampa Bay wasn’t tested much downfield, the unit did enough to keep the game within reach.
The problem was that the offense never gave that defense a breather. Too many three-and-outs left the Bucs’ defense back on the field again and again, and eventually that strain showed. Still, the way Tampa Bay handled Pittsburgh for long stretches was one of the brighter takeaways from the loss.
Special teams, though, remains a real concern. Riley Dixon has had a rough year, entering Week 6 ranked 33rd of 33 qualifying punters in net yards per punt at 37.1.
Against the Steelers, he averaged just 40.8 yards per punt, and that kind of field position issue kept putting the Bucs in tough spots. It has become hard to ignore, and the loss on Sunday only reinforced how costly it can be.
Then there’s Yaya Diaby, who keeps making a case for more responsibility. He now has three sacks this season despite limited snaps, and he added another against Rodgers in a key spot to help stop a Pittsburgh drive.
Later, he delivered again, forcing the Steelers to kick after the two-minute warning. He also helped create a sack for Al-Quadin Muhammad with a pressure and added a tackle for loss that led to another Steelers field goal.
Walker has been a disruptor every time he's been on the field, and it's about time that he gets starting reps in this offense.
So far this year, he's proven he's the best pass rusher on the team. The Bucs should realize that and give him the starting reps he deserves going forward.
In Other News...
Bucs Inactive List Creates One Big Problem Against Pittsburgh
The Buccaneers arrived for Week 6 already thin in a few key spots, and their inactive list only sharpened the edge of the matchup with Pittsburgh. Baker Mayfield and Antoine Winfield Jr. are both out with multi-week injuries, which keeps Tampa Bay without its starting quarterback and one of its most important defenders as it tries to navigate another difficult week.
Easton Stick is back as the backup quarterback for the third straight game, while the backfield got another shake-up with Sean Tucker inactive and Josh Williams elevated for the game. The Steelers brought their own list of absences into the afternoon as well, including receivers Ben Skowronek and Roman Wilson, while cornerback Jamel Dean was active and Sean Murphy-Bunting was not, leaving both sides to work around some familiar lineup uncertainty. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Face A Brutal Test If Two Problems Don't Improve
Bucky Irving gave Tampa Bay exactly the kind of spark it needed last week, piling up a career-high 165 rushing yards and adding a rushing-plus-receiving touchdown against Dallas. If the Buccaneers are going to keep up that momentum against Pittsburgh, they may need Irving to stay central to the plan while the offense also gets quarterback Jalon Daniels into a cleaner early rhythm.
The matchup gets even trickier if Tampa Bay cannot tighten up two areas that have been lagging. The Bucs have had trouble getting after the quarterback, with only six sacks in five games, and they are still waiting for a first-career sack from Rueben Bain Jr., while also having to deal with Steelers back Jaylen Warren and the usual turnover battle that can swing a close game fast. [Read more 🡒]
Luke Goedeke Is Becoming A Bucs Strength Where Fans Once Worried
Luke Goedeke has gone from an early source of concern to one of the more dependable pieces on Tampa Bays offensive line. After beginning his career with the Buccaneers at left guard and running into real growing pains, he found a better fit at right tackle and has settled in as a steady pass protector beside Tristan Wirfs.
The result has been a far more secure edge for the Bucs than many fans expected when Goedeke first arrived. His consistency has given Tampa Bay a valuable presence on the line and a reminder that development in the NFL is not always linear, especially for linemen who need the right position and the right role to show what they can do. [Read more 🡒]