By Ray Porter Jr.
PITTSBURGH, PA–The Pittsburgh Steelers were in a very harrowing predicament: They had just been embarrassed 38-3 by the Buffalo Bills, they were 1-4 for the first time since 2019, and they were also missing six starters due to injury, and they still had to prepare to host QB Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Acrisure Stadium.
While many media experts did not give the Steelers a chance at winning (10-point underdogs), the Steelers defied the odds and pulled off a huge 20-18 upset over the Buccaneers, ending their 4-game losing streak and avoiding their first 1-5 start since 1988.
“Just appreciative of the efforts of the men in that room,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “Obviously, we were leaking today. We were leaking in a lot of ways in terms of physically, emotionally, and so forth. I just appreciate the metal that the group showed this week in terms of remaining singularly focused in the midst of the storm and in putting together a winning performance.”
It was a stellar blue-collar effort from all-3 phases for the Steelers. On offense, QB Kenny Pickett gave the Steelers their first quarter TD of the season when he found RB Najee Harris for a 6-yard TD and a 7-0 lead. He also led them on two more scoring drives that resulted in Chris Boswell’s field goals (one of them, a 55-yarder that bounced through the uprights). Unfortunately, Pickett’s (11/18, 67 yards, TD) day was cut short as he suffered a concussion early in the fourth quarter. Enter former starter Mitch Tribusky, who filled in admirably and even led them to a TD as he found WR Chase Claypool (7 rec, 96 yards) to extend the Steelers’ lead to 20-12. Tribusky showed more fire and initiative as he completed key passes and even ran for a first down. He would finish the day 9/12 for 144 yards and a TD.
“I don’t know that it says anything that I didn’t already know as I got to know him throughout this process. He’s been professional and class at every step of the way,” Tomlin said of Tribusky. “That’s why I mentioned it repeatedly when you guys ask me about what’s transpiring at the quarterback position. Not only him, but Mason Rudolph was engaged and has got good ideas. We are a collective team and I just appreciate the unselfishness of all of those guys throughout this process. That’s why I repeatedly bring it up.”
The Steelers’ defense missed 5 of the 6 starters and ended up producing their best performance since Week 1 vs. Cincinnati. They held the Buccaneers’ offense to 304 total yards and 18 points and kept them out of the end zone until late in the 4th quarter when Brady found RB Leonard Fournette for an 11-yard TD. They also held the Buccaneers to 75 rushing yards and kept the pressure on Brady (25/40, 243 yards, TD), sacking him 2 times (DE Cam Heyward, LB Alex Highsmith)
“I can’t say enough about that secondary group that we had out there today. Man, it was a great opportunity for a lot of those guys. First opportunity in some instances. Redemption in some instances. Guys getting an opportunity to get back in the fold,” said Tomlin. “Guys that hadn’t been a part of us, like Josh Jackson being one. Just can’t say enough about what they were able to do collectively. It’s a challenge when you play Tom Brady. I thought they did a really good job of letting our disguises work for us. We didn’t have a big menu because we can’t have a big menu. We’ve got some young guys and inexperienced guys playing. So, whatever we had, we had to dress it up. And I just thought they did a really good job dressing it up and fighting the fight down-in and down-out.”
In addition to Boswell’s 2 field goals, the Steelers Special Teams got a boost from return specialist (and undrafted free agent) Steven Sims as he returned 3 kicks for 112 yards, including an 89-yarder in the 3rd quarter.
“Steve gave us what we expected him to give us. We’re appreciative of his efforts. We’re excited for him we were excited for him a week ago. Glad we were able to get him out and up and running today,” Tomlin commented.
In addition to Pickett’s injury, the other major health concern was of Buccaneers TE Cam Brate who was injured after making a catch and was carried off the field on a stretcher and taken to the hospital where he has regained movement.
The Steelers now hope to turn this win into a winning streak as they hit the road to Miami to face the Dolphins next Sunday night. They also hope to heal up and turn around a season that many have written off.
“Like I said also, though, at the beginning of the week, where we are is more than one good day, one good plan, one good winning performance in terms of working our way back to respectability,” said Tomlin. “So, we’re appreciative of today, but we still understand exactly where we are, and we aren’t running away from it…We’ll continue to run to it and get better and prepare for our next opportunity.”
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