Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A Tale of Two Downs | Steelers-Bucs Tale of the Tape

When the Bucs and Steelers meet on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium, the visitors may have an advantage on first down based on the results of the first five weeks, but the home team has been stronger on third downs

Oct 16, 2026 at 10:12 AM

Senior Writer/Editor

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hoping to make it two in a row after a season-altering win at Dallas in Week Five and now turn their attention to the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers. The Buccaneers are 1-4 and the Steelers are 3-2 but both teams are just one win behind their respective division leaders. Tampa Bay is expected to have undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels under center for a third straight game as Baker Mayfield continues his recuperation from a dislocated right thumb. Daniels played efficiently and essentially mistake-free in the win over Dallas, and the Buccaneers turned that and a robust rushing attack (241 yards) plus three takeaways on defense/special teams as a formula for their first victory. The Steelers won their most recent game over the Indianapolis Colts, 34-22, and ageless quarterback Aaron Rodgers has thrown a trio of touchdown passes in each of Pittsburgh's last three games.

The Steelers' rankings through five weeks are mostly middle of the pack on offense and defense, but they have allowed the 10th-fewest points per game (21.8) in part because they have been very good on third downs (32.8 success rate allowed, 7th) and in the red zone (50.0% touchdown rate allowed, tied for sixth. Pittsburgh's rushing attack is picking up 4.69 yards per carry, ninth best in the NFL, and that's largely the work of running back Jaylen Warren, who is averaging 5.9 yards per carry and is the Steelers' leader in both rushing yards (410) and receiving yards (230). Rodgers has spread the ball around equitably to Warren (19 catches), wide receivers D.K. Metcalf (19), Roman Wilson (14) and Germie Bernard (13), and tight ends Pat Freiermuth (19) and Darnell Washington (11). All six of those players have between 131 and 230 receiving yards. The Buccaneers' defense ranks second in rushing yards allowed per game (72.8) and cornerbacks Zyon McCollum and Jacob Parrish have emerged as a duo capable of going up against any receiving corps in the league (13 combined passes defensed).

Here's how the Buccaneers and Steelers stack up against each other for Sunday's important clash:

When Tampa Bay Has the Ball:

Buccaneers Offense	Category	Steelers Defense
22nd (306.4)	Net Yards Per Game	13th (324.3)
21st (5.04)	Yards Per Play	18th (5.46)
25th (20.0)	Points Per Game	10th (21.8)
7th (133.0)	Rushing Yards Per Game	13th (103.4)
27th (173.4)	Passing Yards Per Game	16th (220.8)
16th (38.3%)	Third Down Percentage	7th (32.8%)
30th (11.26%)	Sacks Per Pass Play	14th (6.96%)
28th (3.31%)	Interception Percentage	11th (2.53%)
27th (47.1%)	Red Zone Touchdown Pct.	t-6th (50.0%)

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TAMPA, FL - October 14, 2026 - Inside Linebacker SirVocea Dennis #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Linebacker Caden Fordham #46 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers