Bucs at Steelers – Pewter Preview And Predictions

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BUCCANEERS at STEELERS

WHEN: Sunday, October 16, 2022 | WHERE: Acrisure Stadium | KICKOFF: 1:00 p.m. ET | TV: FOX

PLAY-BY-PLAY: TBA |ANALYST: Daryl Johnston | SIDELINE: Pam Oliver

RADIO: 98 ROCK 97.9 FM | PLAY-BY-PLAY: Gene Deckerhoff | ANALYST: Dave Moore | SIDELINE: T.J. Rives

Game day is approaching, and it’s time for the Pewter Report staff to make its weekly game predictions and offer up our game preview of this week’s matchup. Let us know what you think in the article comments section and add your prediction, too.

Scott Reynolds: Bucs Deliver A Beatdown In Pittsburgh

If the Bucs don’t put it all together this week against an injured and overmatched Steelers team – I don’t know when they’ll do it. Tampa Bay is coming off a 21-15 win over Atlanta last week that snapped a two-game losing streak. The Bucs jumped out to a 21-0 lead, but saw the Falcons claw back in the fourth quarter. If the Bucs offense didn’t stall out in the fourth quarter it could have been – should have been – a convincing 28-0 or 31-0 win. Let’s see if the Bucs can learn from last week’s mistakes in Pittsburgh against a rookie quarterback in Kenny Pickett and a defense that is without game-wrecker T.J. Watt and has a slew of injured starters.

Bucs WRs Chris Godwin and Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs offense is performing better in the red zone and has averaged 26 points per game over the last two weeks. The Steelers offense ranks 30th in scoring, averaging just 15.4 points per game. If Tampa Bay’s offense can take advantage of Pittsburgh’s ailing secondary that features five defensive backs listed as questionable for the game, Tom Brady, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin could carry the day through the air. Throw in some more chain-moving swing passes to Leonard Fournette and the Bucs could – should – top 30 points on Sunday as long as Brady is protected. Once again, rookie left guard Luke Goedeke draws a tough assignment in Pittsburgh’s Cameron Heyward.

Defensively, I expect the Bucs run defense to come out with some vigor and shut down Najee Harris, who’s off to a disappointing start, on the ground. Having success on first and second downs will lead to Todd Bowles’ full array of pressure packages on third-and-long. The plan is to get Pickett under siege and for the sacks to pile up for a second week in a row. The Steelers have just two passing touchdowns through five games, and Pickett has yet to throw a TD. But he has thrown four interceptions, so the opportunistic Bucs secondary could – should – feast. If the Steelers have any chance of winning they’ll need wide receivers George Pickens, Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson to rise to the occasion. That’s a tall order against The Grave Diggers.

REYNOLDS’ GAME PREDICTION: Bucs 30, Steelers 13
REYNOLDS’ SEASON RECORD: 2-3

Matt Matera: Bucs Finally Play Complementary Football To Win

The Bucs have failed to play a complete game this season. When the defense has been stopping top tier quarterbacks like Dak Prescott and Aaron Rodgers, the offense had difficulty moving the football. When the offense finally perked up, the defense then faltered. In a very winnable game on the road, both sides of the ball play above average.

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Things remain somewhat similar for the Bucs offense in this game. It’ll be the Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Show when Tom Brady is throwing the ball. They’ll take advantage of a severely banged up secondary for the Steelers. It’s just a matter of who will be the third option. Russell Gage doesn’t look 100%, but Leonard Fournette, Rachaad White and Cade Otton are all capable of picking up the slack again. One thing Tampa Bay has to look out for is Cam Heyward against rookie Luke Goedeke. That’s what could keep it closer than expected.

Of all the offenses that the Bucs defense has played against so far, this is their best opportunity to add some big numbers to their individual stats. Todd Bowles has a great track record calling games against rookie quarterbacks. I expect he’ll confuse Kenny Pickett with many different looks and coverages with blitzes off the edge using Antoine Winfield Jr. We’ll see who’s available for the Bucs with injuries to Carlton Davis and Mike Edwards, but I can see one of them getting an interception this week. Look for a blitzing Devin White to add to his team best sack total as the defense plays one of their best games.

MATERA’S GAME PREDICTION: Bucs 27, Steelers 13
MATERA’S SEASON RECORD: 2-3

JC Allen: Bucs Will Win Decisively In Pittsburgh

Coming into what many considered the soft spot in their schedule, the Bucs need to find their groove against a struggling Steelers team. Through five games this season we have yet to see the offense or the defense play up to their standards and talent level. Slow starts on both sides of the ball have plagued this team, but a banged up floundering Pittsburgh team may just be what Tampa Bay needs to turn their struggles around.

Bucs OLB Shaq Barrett and ILB Devin White – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

After facing a few of the top quarterbacks in the game over the last month and a half the defense will face rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett. Head coach Todd Bowles will be sure to have his team ready and with a barrage of cleverly designed blitzes and disguises to try and throw the young quarterback off his game. This is a perfect game for the run defense to get right, as well as the Steelers have struggled to run the ball this season and their offensive line has been pushed around. Expect the Bucs to send pressure early and often to try and rattle Pickett.

While the offense has seen its performance improve in the passing game, the running game still hasn’t found their stride since an impressive opening night. While the team ran well last week a majority of their yards came as the Bucs were trying to close out the game. I expect a heavy dose of Leonard Fournette as they try to establish the run early. Though with the Steelers secondary ailing they should have no problem moving the ball through the air as well. Make no mistake about it, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin will have his guys ready to play. But this Bucs team has too much talent and with Tom Brady at the helm should come out of Pittsburgh with a decisive win.

ALLEN’S GAME PREDICTION: Bucs 34, Steelers 13
ALLEN’S SEASON RECORD: 2-3

Bailey Adams: Bucs Continue Road Success By Dominating Steelers

The road has actually been kind to the Bucs so far in 2022. They began the season with a 19-3 win in Dallas, then came back the next week with a 20-10 win in New Orleans. In a bit of weird irony, returning home threw them off their game as they dropped two straight before getting back on track last Sunday. Tampa Bay still hasn’t played its best football yet, but it has a good chance to do so on Sunday against a banged-up Steelers team. Even a healthy Pittsburgh team shouldn’t give Todd Bowles’ group many problems, but considering where the team’s health is right now, this one may not be close.

Bucs CB Carlton Davis III – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs haven’t always been the best against rookie quarterbacks, but under Bowles, that’s been less of a problem. Kenny Pickett isn’t the basis of the Steelers’ problems, and he’s honestly in a tough situation right now. Making his second career start against a team that can pressure the quarterback and cover as well as the Bucs can isn’t going to help his case, either. I like the Tampa Bay defense to get to him early and often, setting the tone for a dominant defensive performance. Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, George Pickens and Chase Claypool are all talented weapons, but they’ve shown inconsistencies this year. The Bucs should be able to shut them down and take some pressure off of Tom Brady and the offense.

But this could be a big day for Brady and the offense as well. They put up 31 points in a losing effort two weeks ago before coming back down to 21 and struggling for much of the second half during last week’s win over the Falcons. Despite so much turnover with personnel, Tampa Bay is protecting the football well in 2022. That’s always going to give you a chance to win games. Plus, Mike Evans is off to a scorching start. Chris Godwin is slowly but surely looking like himself again. Leonard Fournette is getting involved. And we’re seeing more out of rookies like Rachaad White and Cade Otton. Against a very short-handed Steelers defense, I like the Bucs to find some of their old form again on offense in a convincing win.

ADAMS’ GAME PREDICTION: Bucs 34, Steelers 14
ADAMS’ SEASON RECORD: 2-3

Josh Queipo: This One Shouldn’t Be Close As Bucs Cruise To Another Road Win

The Steelers may be scrappy team with a head coach in Mike Tomlin, who has consistently gotten the most out of his team over the course of a long and storied career. But that doesn’t account for the talent discrepancy between these two teams. Ben Roethlisberger is gone, as are some of the great Steelers offensive linemen of yesteryear up front that protected him and opened big running lanes. Pittsburgh has not done a good job drafting talent, and it’s finally showing as the roster turns over each year.

Bucs DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs defensive line should be able to establish dominance over a below average Steelers offensive line. Pittsburgh has some weapons on offense in running back Najee Harris and at wide receiver with George Pickens, this year’s second-round pick, Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson. But those players have underwhelmed so far this year, and that hasn’t helped rookie Kenny Pickett, the Steelers’ first-round pick, have much success. Buffalo shellacked Pittsburgh, 38-3, last week in Pickett’s first start, which was a rough one. It won’t get any easier this week against Todd Bowles and his sack-happy defense, which ranks third in the league with 19 QB captures. The Bucs secondary will match up well with the Steelers offensive threats. Add in a very bland offenses scheme and a rookie quarterback and I just don’t see the Steelers generating much in the way of offense.

On the other side of the ball, the Bucs’ playmakers should be able to have their way with a very-banged up Steelers secondary. Pencil in another 300-yard day for Tom Brady and a 100-yard day for either Mike Evans or Chris Godwin – or perhaps both. Without T.J. Watt to contend with, the Steelers’ lackluster pass rush just doesn’t generate much pressure. Pittsburgh usually ranks high annually in terms of sacks, but has just 10 through five games this year. This one should not be close.

QUEIPO’S GAME PREDICTION: Bucs 27, Steelers 13
QUEIPO’S SEASON RECORD: 4-1

Kasey Hudson: The Bucs Win Back-To-Back Games To Improve To 4-2

Tampa Bay got back into the win column Sunday versus Atlanta and collected a win at home. While a win is a win, it was the let down in the fourth quarter that dims the winning light. Bucs head up to Pittsburgh to face a fragile Steelers team, yet if we learned anything from last season, do not count out the fragmented.

Bucs TE Cade Otton – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs offense is still trying to find a rhythm and saw more potential out of rookies, running back Rachaad White and tight end Cade Otton, two guys I want to see more of in the game Sunday. The Steelers whom used to lead the league in sack the past five seasons, now has a disintegrating pass rush. This leads me to believe that Byron Leftwich and Co. may over pursue to the run game and micromanage the pass game. Pittsburgh’s most reliable part of the defense is their secondary, but the Bucs wide receiving corps should be able to exceed expectations.

On the other side of the ball, Tampa Bay’s defense cannot get lax against a desperate Steelers team – rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett or not. I still have PTSD from last season’s flop versus the Washington Commanders. Carlton Davis III and Mike Edwards should be all set for Sunday and make up for silent moments against the Falcons. There’s no reason this defense cannot get back to their week one and two success. I foresee the Bucs taking this opportunity to get a little more creative in the offense and welcome Pickett to the league with a lot of sacks.

HUDSON’S GAME PREDICTION: Bucs 34, Steelers 13
HUDSON’S SEASON RECORD: 3-2