The Pittsburgh Steelers just pulled off a wild 26-19 overtime comeback victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road, turning a 16-3 deficit into a W. Seriously, after trailing big for three quarters, it felt like the same old story. But then, the defense dug in, Aaron Rodgers started cooking, and Germie Bernard snagged the game-winning touchdown in overtime. What even is this team?
Roller Coaster Nation: Nobody Knows What to Think
This Steelers squad is an absolute head-scratcher, even with a 4-2 record that has them tied atop the AFC North. FOX Sports, who bumped them up two spots to No. 15, called them “the most confusing team in the league,” saying they look “great, then they look terrible, and sometimes like in Tampa, they alternate between great and terrible within the same game.” Nauseating, right? CBS Sports chimed in at No. 17, asking, “do we really know how good or bad they are?” The Athletic kept them steady at No. 16, while Pro Football Talk had them at No. 13 and Yahoo! Sports at No. 16. NFL.com, though, saw enough to jump them five spots to No. 17, sensing a shift.
It is clear every pundit out there is losing their mind trying to rank this team, and honestly, who can blame them? They’ll give you a heart attack in the first three quarters, then turn around and win a game they had no business winning. It is infuriating and thrilling all at once. Even fantasy folks are scratching their heads: veteran running back Dowdle, drafted on average at 73rd, is sitting at 215th in scoring with just 6.1 points. Meanwhile, Jaylen Warren has taken the top spot in Pittsburgh, ranking 42nd in fantasy scoring with 17.1. Talk about unexpected shifts in player performance.
The Comeback Kids? Rodgers, Bernard, and a Whole Lot of Grit
So, how did they even pull this off? Their defense absolutely saved their butts through those brutal first three quarters. Timely fourth-quarter interceptions from Jamel Dean and Daylen Everette were huge, swinging momentum and helping them grab the lead late in regulation. But the real magic happened when Aaron Rodgers finally woke up. NFL.com noted his reliance on the quick passing game sparked the offense, and man, did he go off in overtime: 6 for 7 passing, 51 yards, and a touchdown.
That overtime drive was clutch: a 12-play, 70-yard masterpiece that ended with Germie Bernard’s 6-yard touchdown catch. Bernard, by the way, put up his best rookie performance yet, which is a big deal especially since Jaylen Warren didn’t have significant output in this one. It feels like they finally found some offensive production, especially on an “even-numbered week,” as NFL.com pointed out with a wink. That “unrelenting fourth-quarter comeback effort” might be more than just a fluke. NFL.com suggests this ability to break free from their struggles means they “might have finally unlocked what seemed buried in prior weeks or at the very least, finally learned how to adjust in game enough to produce late-stage progress.”
This team is 4-2, tied atop the AFC North, and still a total mystery. But after that insane comeback, you have to wonder if they really have found some versatility, some way to adjust and win even when they look terrible. It leaves you on the edge of your seat, wondering if this is the start of them figuring things out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
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