First Quarter:
With a new, freshly minted victory under their belts, Tez Johnson touched the ball first for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Run, run, sack, punt— Pittsburgh ball. Run, run, incomplete pass, punt— Bucs’ ball. Fans would see another Bucs’ punt before finally jumping out their seats when Rueben Bain Jr., tipped an Aaron Rodgers pass which bounced into the hands of A’Shawn Robinson for his team-leading second interception of the season. The Bucs’ offense would convert Rueben Bain Jr.’s first impact play as a Buc into points
with a Chase McLaughlin field goal. Chase’s kick, blocked at the line, still had enough oomph to scoot across the crossbar for Tampa’s first lead of the game. 3-0, Bucs.
Trailing by three, the Steelers’ special team struck a big blow against their former coordinator, a kick return that made it was across midfield and into the lap of Chase McLaughlin before finally being shut down by hustling Tampa defenders. That same special teams unit un-struck their big blow, as the big return was flagged and brought back— Illegal blindside block Cole Holcomb.
Aaron Rodgers and co. did earn those surrendered yards back, but their drive would ultimately lead to a Mike McCarthy decision— A fourth down with three yards to go. Despite completing a pass beyond the sticks, the Steelers lost the necessary yardage when Germie Bernard reversed course, try to double back across the field, and got tackled behind the line to gain for a crushing turnover on downs.
Second Quarter:
Tampa Bay’s ensuing drive featured a first for the 2026 Buccaneers and Jalon Daniels— Up tempo. The Buccaneers not only trusted their rookie passer to call the offense at the line, they trusted him to pass. Daniels, without the consistent aid of a Bucky Irving first down, run took his team down the field with passes to Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka— Ted Hurst III even found reps as the rookie collected a chain-moving reception, but it was also a down field pass to Hurst III that drew a pass interference and placed the ball on the Pittsburgh one-yard line. Wasting no time, Daniels dropped back and tossed his first touchdown of the day— Emeka Egbuka’s first since week two. 10-0, Buccaneers.
With under five minutes remaining in half, the Jalon Daniels-Emeka Egbuka connection had a chance at their second score of the day— The duo missed. Emeka Egbuka, running wide open was slightly overthrown, forcing an attempt at a one-handed snag. The incomplete pass would lead the Bucs to Chase McLaughlin and three points. 13-0, Tampa Bay.
Aaron Rodgers would be introduced to a couple of Bucs’ rookies on the next drive. Up first, Keonte Scott a slot blitz Rodgers never saw and a sack. The third down that would follow would be another introduction and a moment that many Buccaneers’ fans have been waiting for a Rueben Bain Jr. sack, the first of his career. Bain Jr.’s first career sack comes on third down against future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers. Congratulations To Bain Jr. and the Bucs’ defense for a near flawless performance in the first half of Sunday’s matchup. The lone flaw came in the half’s final drive. Needing points, momentum, or just a sign of life before the intermission, the Pittsburgh were able to drive into field goal range, spike the ball and give Chris Boswell the opportunity to atone for earlier miss— Miss atoned for 13-3, Buccaneers.
Third Quarter:
In a strange sequence, Mike McCarthy sustained an injury walking off the field and spent halftime in the blue tent so the Pittsburgh Steelers never met with their head coach during the break. Whether that was impactful or not is immeasurable, however, the Steelers looked flat as their offense debuted in the third quarter with a three and out. Their defense wasn’t necessarily around to bail them out— A 9-minute drive deep into Pittsburgh territory before Tampa had to settle for a field goal. 16-3, Buccaneers.
The Steelers and Bucs would each trot out their punt teams again on the following drives, before Aaron Rodgers was back under center for the final two minutes of the third quarter. Germie Bernard’s eighth catch of the day moved Pittsburgh to the Tampa Bay 40-yard line. David Walker tried stall the attack with a sack of Aaron Rodgers, but it wasn’t enough— Third down and 16, Aaron Rodgers found DK Metcalf for 16 yards and a first down.
Fourth Quarter:
That conversion got the wick lit, a roughing passer penalty would follow shortly after and a brief time later the Bucs’ defense would allow their first touchdown of the game. A wide open Darnell Washington brought the Steelers within one score. 16-10, Tampa Bay.
Jalon Daniels first drive of the fourth quarter was not what his team needed. Daniels, hoping his receiver could make a play, threw a ball to Emeka Egbuka in heavy coverage— Interception.
Sunday’s fourth quarter saw the end of a 10-straight completion streak for Aaron Rodgers. On what was his 16th consecutive pass, Rodgers had his team in field goal position and Tampa’s turnover quickly led to points as Chris Boswell delivered. 16-13, Tampa.
Back-to-back Emeka Egbuka drops handed Aaron Rodgers the ball back. DK Metcalf (and a questionable pass interference penalty) gave the Steelers another field goal and another three points. 16-16, tie. The 16-16 tie wouldn’t last long because on Tampa’s next drive Jalon Daniels looked much more like a rookie than what he has so far this season. Daniel’s found Jamel Dean— who was a Buc, but is now a Steeler— for what could and arguably should have lost Tampa Bay the game. Jamel Dean left his offense at the three yard line. Tampa Bay’s defense defended those three yards like their season was on the line. The Steelers opted for just one run play and two incomplete passes, taking no time off the clock and leaving Jalon Daniels with a
Jalon Daniels was given an inch and he took a mile. Coming off of his one of his worst throws as a Buccaneer, Daniels responded. The rookie took his team down the field and gave his kicker (The best player on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster) a chance to tie. 19-19, welcome to overtime.
Overtime:
The Buccaneers won the toss and elected to kick. They also elected to revert back to missed tackles as the focal point of their defense. A good performance until the final 15 minutes of regulation turned horrid by end of overtime. Todd Bowles’ defense finished caving on the Steelers’ final drive of the day. Pittsburgh delivered one body shot after another to Bowles’ unit as the Bucs were backed up, backed up, and backed up further until they dam broke— Touchdown Steelers- 26-19, Pittsburgh.
Jalon Daniels did give Tampa Bay a small sliver of hope before the Steelers ended Tampa’s day and possibly their season— Bucs drop 1-5.
