On Monday night, the Steelers will attempt to let the wind out of the Buccaneers’ sails. The Pittsburgh Steelers are 0-1-1 and prior to the Jets losing to the Browns on Thursday night, they were second in the NFL behind the Buccaneers in passing offense.
The Steelers still have a potent offense, despite Bell staying away and the drama of the “trade me” Tweet from Antonio Brown. The distraction is minimal, but Browns’ actions could have implications that he may try to extinguish the fire that is burning in Tampa Bay, in order to get his point across.
Certainly, this is a tough game, but Tampa could easily overcome the Steelers by doing what they do and that is play smart football on defense and strike fast on offense. The high flying Bucs have no problems stretching the football field and have no shortage of receivers that can catch the football for big gains. Our receivers are playing at an elite level and Fitzpatrick is making the throws. Scoring isn’t the issue.
The problem that could ultimately have the Bucs walking their own plank is the secondary giving up massive yards through the air to big-armed QBs. Tampa defeated the Eagles, but also gave up 334 yards to Nick Foles, had previously produced a meager 117 yards through the air against Atlanta. I won’t mention how many yards and points the Bucs Secondary gave up in New Orleans week one – It was a lot.
Roethlisberger has put up big numbers through the air with 335 against the Browns and 452 against the Chiefs. I’ll mention that Roethlisberger had thrown 3 Ints against the Browns in week one, but it doesn’t pertain to the Bucs who have yet to record an interception on defense. Maybe this week that will change with the return of Brent Grimes. I hope so because that may be the deciding factor in this game’s outcome.
If the Bucs defense does not give up big plays and the offense continues to play like wild men, then the Bucs will walk away with their first 3-0 since 2005.
