The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2, 2-0 Away) and their outstanding passing offense travel to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers (1-4, 0-2 Home), one of the league’s weakest aerial defenses, at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday. The Buccaneers are nine-point favorites, and the total is 45. Tampa Bay is coming off a 21-15 win over the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium last Sunday. Tom Brady threw for 351 yards and a touchdown. Leonard Fournette ran 14 times for 56 yards and a touchdown. He added 10 receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown. Pittsburgh dropped a fourth straight game last Sunday, falling 38-3 to the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Kenny Pickett was 34 of 52 for 327 yards and an interception. Jaylen Warren carried five times for 24 yards and added four catches for 39 yards. George Pickens was targeted eight times, hauling in six receptions for 83 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The teams are meeting in the regular season for the first time since September 2018, a 30-27 win for the Steelers.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Buccaneers are averaging 20.6 points per game for the season, 19th in the NFL, and they are facing a Steelers defense that has surrendered 25.6 PPG (26th). Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has scored 15.4 points a game this season, 30th in the league, and Tampa Bay is allowing 16.6 PPG (6th).The Buccaneers rank as one of the league’s top teams in passing yards per game (281.8, 3rd), while they are 31st in rushing yards (66.0). Look for them to exploit a matchup advantage through the air, as the Steelers are 30th in the league in passing yards allowed per game (299.2). Against the run, Pittsburgh is 22nd (129.2).Pittsburgh has been one of the league’s least successful rushing teams, averaging 88.6 yards per game (29th), while ranking 22nd in passing yards (220.0). The Buccaneers are allowing 217.0 passing yards (8th) and 115.6 rushing yards per game (17th). Tampa Bay is averaging 2.8 red zone trips a game this season, third lowest in the NFL, finding the end zone 57% of the time (15th). Pittsburgh ranks as the lowest volume red zone offense in the league, moving inside the 20-yard-line only 2.6 times per game and scoring a touchdown on 46% of those possessions (25th). Tampa Bay has had trouble defending their own red zone, allowing opponents to find the end zone 77% of the time (29th).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through five games, Tom Brady has thrown for seven touchdowns (1 INT) and 281.8 yards per game to lead Tampa Bay in passing. In two away games this season, he has two TDs (1 INT) and an average of 201.0 yards passing. Leonard Fournette leads the team in rushing with an average of 56.0 yards a game over five games. He’s also contributed to the passing game with 38.8 receiving yards a game. He has one touchdown on the ground. Mike Evans is the Buccaneers’ leading receiver with 79.0 yards a game and three TDs. He is averaging 5.0 receptions on 7.2 targets per game. Mitch Trubisky has two passing touchdowns (2 INT) with 163.2 yards per game through four games to lead Pittsburgh. In two home games this season, he has thrown for one TD (2 INT) and an average of 126.0 yards. Najee Harris has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 44.4 yards a game through five games. He has two total touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving. Diontae Johnson has been a key target in the Steelers’ aerial attack, averaging 53.4 yards per game through five appearances. Diontae Johnson is averaging 10.0 targets per game (5.6 receptions).
SportsTips’ NFL Pick:
TB Bucs (-450)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
