The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally broke into the win column last Sunday, but their Week 6 showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Raymond James Stadium is shaping up to be an absolute grind with rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels making his third straight start. The Bucs are sitting at a shaky 1-4 coming into this one, desperately needing to turn that single victory into real momentum.
Can the Bucs Build on That First Win?
Listen, getting that first W against the Dallas Cowboys, a 24-16 victory no less, had to feel like a massive relief. They leaned on their running game big time, racking up 241 rushing yards, and their defense came up huge, forcing three turnovers and holding the Cowboys to just 16 points. That’s something to build on after opening the season with four straight losses. But now they gotta face a Steelers squad that’s coming in hot at 3-2. The big story for Tampa Bay is obviously Daniels under center. He’s getting another shot to lead the offense with Baker Mayfield still sidelined by that thumb injury. It’s a huge opportunity for the young guy, but he’s facing a serious test. The Bucs are still looking for their first home victory of the season, and if they can snag it, that momentum could be crucial before they dive into NFC South play against Carolina next week.
The Steelers Are Rolling, and History Isn’t on Tampa Bay’s Side
Pittsburgh is no joke. They just put up an impressive offensive performance themselves, beating the Indianapolis Colts 34-22. Steelers running back Jaylen Warren was an absolute beast in that game, racking up 188 yards from scrimmage, including an incredible 80-yard touchdown reception. And then there’s T.J. Watt, who’s gonna be breathing down Daniels’ neck all afternoon. That guy leads a pass rush that can single-handedly wreck a game. Historically, this matchup hasn’t been kind to Tampa Bay, with Pittsburgh holding a 10-2 advantage in the all-time series. But hey, it hasn’t all been blowouts lately. The last three meetings between these two have been decided by three points or less, including the Steelers’ tight 20-18 victory back in 2022. So, don’t count out a close one, even with the rookie QB facing an experienced Pittsburgh defense.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) on Sunday, October 18, 2026, from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. You can catch the regional coverage on CBS, stream it on Paramount+, DIRECTV, Fubo, NFL+, or NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. The stakes are huge for the Buccaneers: get that home win, build some steam, or risk falling further behind before divisional play even starts. What’s it gonna be, Tampa?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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