Steelers Snap Unfortunate 73-Game Skid in Win Over Buccaneers
· Yahoo Sports
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 1-4 record, but their record appears to be deceiving.
The Buccaneers earned their first win of the season over the Dallas Cowboys on "Thursday Night Football" in Week 5, just the second start for undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels, who took over for Baker Mayfield as Mayfield recovers from the hand injury he suffered in a loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3.
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Daniels and the Buccaneers put the Steelers in a bind through the first three quarters, taking a 16-3 lead before the fourth quarter. Pittsburgh's offense came to life in the fourth quarter, scoring 16 points and sending the game to overtime. The Steelers scored a touchdown on their opening possession of overtime, and the defense got a stop on downs to win the contest 26-19.
Per ESPN Insights, the Steelers broke a 73-game streak of losing games when trailing by more than 13 points in the fourth quarter. That's pretty incredible given the amount of games we see nearly every week where an NFL team makes a two-touchdown comeback in the fourth quarter.
The defense played a key role in the comeback, intercepting two of Daniels' passes. The Steelers converted both turnovers into made field goals.
Pittsburgh's offense still has plenty of work to do if the team wants to be a force in the AFC North. Aaron Rodgers finished the day going 33 of 49 passing for 253 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He took five sacks for -52 yards. (Rookie first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. recorded the first sack of his career against the Steelers.)
The running game was middle of the road, as the Steelers rushed for 89 yards on 22 carries.
It was ugly, but a win is a win in the NFL. The Steelers improved to 4-2, and are tied with the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens for first place in the AFC North, though the Browns are atop the division thanks to wins over Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
The Steelers will next go on the road to face a feisty New Orleans Saints team that knocked off the NFC East-leading New York Giants on Sunday. Pittsburgh has an opportunity to string some wins together before playing two games (Browns, Bengals) against AFC North opponents to start November.
To do so, the offensive line must protect Rodgers and build something for the running game.