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Steeler Nation is a world-wide army that follows the legendary Pittsburgh Steelers. The Six-Time Super Bowl Champions have a tradition that dictates a standard of excellence, and their fans expect nothing less year in and year out. Those very same ideals translate to the ultimate Pittsburgh Steelers GameDay Preview, an all-inclusive guide that all Steelers fans read weekly to learn everything they need to know about their team and Pittsburgh’s opponent!
Mike Drakulich, the man behind Pittsburgh SportsNation (@PghSportsNation), who covers both Pitt football and the Steelers for NGSC Sports, brings you inside the huddle with a weekly game story, score prediction, game day information, broadcast information, and complete breakdown of each team, complete with stats. Heck, you’ll even know the weather at kickoff!
STEELERS OFFENSE DOWN THREE RECEIVERS AS THEY VISIT TAMPA ON SUNDAY
The Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) are still a few days away from taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium, but they might have to use most of that time to find a few healthy receivers for Aaron Rodgers to throw to.
Going into week six, Michael Pittman is on IR. Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek, who were injured against the Colts, are out this week.
That leaves D.K. Metcalf and Germie Bernard as the only wideouts with a reception this season.
“It seems like, at this point, it’s just in-house options,” Rodgers said about the shortage of healthy receivers. “We have a talented B-squad group of guys, guys who played football at the highest level and made plays. Get some guys who haven’t seen a lot of time out there and expect them to play well.”
Through five games, Rodgers has passed for 1,234 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions. He’s been sacked 14 times. Anyone still questioning this guy’s abilities needs their heads examined.
Metcalf has 19 catches for 225 yards and a touchdown. The rookie Bernard has totaled 13 receptions for 140 yards.
That leaves rookie Kaden Wetjen (used exclusively as a returner), Brandon Smith, Brandon Johnson, and Isaiah Hodgins that could see time at receiver in the meantime.
“He cooked a lot of guys on the practice squad,” Rodgers said of Smith, who was a teammate of his on the Jets in 2024. “I mean, every single day, B-Smith was making plays. And I think he really transformed his body, too. He lost a little bit of weight, got a little faster.”
Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy doesn’t seem too worried.
“How we will sort it out, I think it’s only fair to wait to the game,” said McCarthy. “But I really like our young guys.”
Hodgins has 70 catches and eight touchdowns in his five year career.
“I’m just waiting for them to suit up and show what they can do on Sunday,” said Metcalf of the team’s practice squad wideouts, “because they’ve definitely been making plays out in the practice field since training camp. So I’m just happy for them to get the opportunity to showcase what they can do.”
Tight end Pat Freiermuth has 19 catches for 169 yards and a team leading four touchdowns. Darnell Washington has 11 receptions for 131 yards and a TD. Rarely used Robert Tonyan has one catch for two yards.
Jaylen Warren has been the man at running back, rushing for 410 yards and a touchdown, and catching 19 passes for 230 yards and another TD. Rico Dowdle, who has been out for the last three games, has 37 yards rushing, and has caught four passes for 28 yards. Dowdle will return to action this week.
The Pittsburgh offense is 18th in the NFL averaging 22.2 points a game, and giving up 21.8, good for 10th.
The Buccaneers (1-4) come into this week fresh off their first victory of the season, as they took care of Dallas 24-16.
For Tampa, starting quarterback Baker Mayfield will miss his third straight game. Jalon Daniels has been the guy in his absence, and has passed for 337 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. He’s rushed for 87 yards and a touchdown, and has been sacked four times.
Emeka Egbuka is the Bucs top wide receiver with 21 catches for 192 yards and a TD. Chris Godwin, Jr. has 19 receptions for 179 yards. Tez Johnson has five receptions for 138 yards… that’s an average of 27.6 yards a reception. Ted Hurst III has eight catches for 128 yards and a score.
Tight end Cade Otton is 2nd on the team with 182 yards receiving off of 18 catches.
Bucky Irving has had a solid year, rushing for 406 yards and two touchdowns. He’s caught 15 passes for 71 yards and a TD. Kenneth Gainwell is the backup, and had rushed for 44 yards, with 11 receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown.
Tampa is 25th in the NFL scoring 20 points a game, while ranked 14th giving up 22.4 a game.
The Pittsburgh defense has a few guys to key on to be successful… one is Daniels, who likes to get the ball out quickly to his receivers, his favorite targets being Ebuka and Godwin, Jr., but those two only have one touchdown between them. Otton is this week’s tight end du jour, so you can guarantee he’ll see plenty of looks this week. Irving will be a priority to stop, as he pounded the Cowboys for 165 yards and a touchdown last week.
When Daniels does drop back to pass it would be nice to see some pressure and sacks by the Steelers defense, which currently ranks 12th with 11 sacks, but with the talent that is on the roster, that number needs to be much higher sooner than later.
Nick Herbig has had a quiet start to the season, getting to the quarterback zero times so far.
That’s “Zero, point, zero.” to quote Dean Wormer in Animal House.
I’d expect Blutarski to get to the QB at least once, especially if there was a bottle of whiskey on the line.
Herbig was utilized as a pure pass rusher the past three seasons, but has been given the task of being half inside linebacker, and half outside linebacker, and so far, he isn’t producing like he used to… yet.
“It’s different, for sure,” Herbig said. “I’m still adjusting and trying to figure out how to navigate more of that in the game. But it’s been awesome. I love being on the field. I love playing football, especially with the boys. It’s fun.”
You can’t help but like how the Steelers offense has looked the past few weeks, piling up 91 points the last three games.
The offense is thriving off the play of Warren who is a threat both running and catching the ball out of the backfield.
Last week he became the first player since Hershel Walker in 1986 to have a 80 yard touchdown reception and a 50 yard rushing touchdown in the same game.
“Jaylen is our featured player right now. Let’s be sure we all recognize that. He’s hot,” McCarthy said. “He’s playing great football for us. So it’s important for us as an offense, coaches and players alike, to continue to put him in position to make plays. So that won’t change.”
Warren should be even better getting a rest now and then with the return of Rico Dowdle to the line-up.
Warren’s running combined with the arm and confidence of future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers has made this Pittsburgh offense one to fear again.
The injury report has Metcalf listed as doubtful with an illness, but unless he’s dying, expect him to suit up, especially with all the turmoil surrounding the already injured wide receiver corps.
The Steelers defense will continue where they left off last week and will keep the Buccaneers offense in check, while Warren chews up the Tampa defense for a minimum of 100 all-purpose yards and a trip to the end zone. Rodgers keeps his touchdown streak going with one finding Freiermuth or Washington, and a surprise score from one of the guys elevated from the practice squad.
Game Prediction: Steelers 27 Buccaneers 16
GameDay Information
Week 6: Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-4)
Game-time: Sunday, October 18th, at 1:00 PM.
Venue: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL.
- Field: Natural Grass
Vegas line: Steelers -2.5
Weather at kickoff: 77 and sunny. Winds out of the NE at 15 MPH.
Broadcast Information
TV: CBS | Local: KDKA-TV (Xfinity: Channel 802 | Dish: 2 | DirecTV: 2)
- Announcers: Andrew Catalon (play-by-play) Logan Ryan (analyst) | A.J. Ross (field reporter)
Local Radio: Pittsburgh- 102.5 WDVE-FM & 970 WBGG-AM
- Announcers: Rob King (play-by-play) Max Starks (analyst) | Missi Matthews (field reporter)
National Radio: None
- Announcers: N/A (play-by-play) N/A (analysis)
Internet Broadcast: Steelers Nation Radio (SNR) on Steelers.com
Scouting the Pittsburgh Steelers
Overall record: 3-2 (Tied for 2nd in AFC North)
Last game: Steelers 34 Colts 22
Head Coach: Mike McCarthy
- 1st Season with Steelers
Overall regular-season record: 177-114-2 | 3-2 with Steelers
Playoff record: 11-11
Team Links
Steelers Offense
Offensive Coordinator: Brian Angelichio
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 22.2 (18th)
- Total yards per game: 348 (15th)
- Passing yards per game: 246.8 (13th)
- Rushing yards per game: 101.2 (19th)
- Time of Possession: 30:09 (20th)
QUARTERBACK
Starter: Aaron Rodgers | #8
Passing Yards: 1,234 | TD Passes: 10 | INT’s: 4 | Sacked: 14
Rushing Yards: 18 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Back-up: Mason Rudolph | #2
Passing Yards: 0 | TD Passes: 0 | INT’s: 0 | Sacked: 0
Rushing Yards: 1 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
RB#1: Jaylen Warren | #30
Rushing Yards: 410 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 19 | Receiving Yards: 230 | Receiving TD’s: 1
RB#2: Rico Dowdle | #13
Rushing Yards: 37 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 4 | Receiving Yards: 28 | Receiving TD’s: 0
FB#1: Riley Nowakowski | #37
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
RB#3: Lew Nichols | #31
Rushing Yards: 6 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
RB#4: Travis Homer | #21
Rushing Yards: 15 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
RB#5: Eli Heidenreich | #29
Rushing Yards: 0 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
WR#1: D.K. Metcalf | #4
Receptions: 19 | Receiving Yards: 230 | Receiving TD’s: 1
WR#2: Michael Pittman, Jr.* | #11
Receptions: 7 | Receiving Yards: 89 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WR#3: Roman Wilson* | #14
Receptions: 14 | Receiving Yards: 188 | Receiving TD’s: 2
WR#4: Germie Bernard | #17
Receptions: 13 | Receiving Yards: 140 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WR#5: Brian Skowronek* | #15
Receptions: 3 | Receiving Yards: 32 | Receiving TD’s: 1
WR#6: Kaden Wetjen | #10
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WR#7: Brandon Smith | #87
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WR#8: Isaiah Hodgins | #82
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WR#9: Brandon Johnson | #89
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
TE#1: Pat Freiermuth | #88
Receptions: 19 | Receiving Yards: 169 | Receiving TD’s: 4
TE#2: Darnell Washington | #80
Receptions: 11 | Receiving Yards: 131 | Receiving TD’s: 1
TE#3: Robert Tonyan | #85
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 2 | Receiving TD’s: 0
KICKER
Chris Boswell | #9
Extra Points: 10-10
Field Goals: 9-12
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 1-1
- 30-39 yards: 3-3
- 40-49 yards: 3-4
- 50+ yards: 2-4
OFFENSIVE LINE
LT: Troy Fautanu | #76
LG: Mason McCormick | #66
C: Zach Frazier | #54
RG: Brock Hoffman | #67
RT: Max Iheanachor | #71
Steelers Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Patrick Graham
Defensive System: 3-4
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 21.8 (10th)
- Total offensive yards per game allowed: 342.2 (13th)
- Passing yards allowed: 220.8 (16th)
- Rushing yards allowed: 103.4 (13th)
- Sacks: 11 (12th)
- Interceptions: 4 (8th)
DEFENSIVE LINE
DT: Cam Heyward | #97
Tackles: 17 | Sacks: 1
NT: Keeanu Benton | #95
Tackles: 12 | Sacks: 0
DE: Derrick Harmon* | #99
Tackles: 12 | Sacks: 1.5
OR
Yahya Black | #94
Tackles: 13 | Sacks: 0
LINEBACKERS
LOLB: T.J. Watt | #90
Tackles: 13 | Sacks: 4.5 | INT: 1 | TD: 1
LILB: Patrick Queen | #6
Tackles: 35 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
RILB: Payton Wilson | #41
Tackles: 40 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 0
ROLB: Alex Highsmith | #56
Tackles: 9 | Sacks: 3 | INT: 0
OR Nick Herbig | #51
Tackles: 12 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SECONDARY
LCB: Asante Samuel, Jr. | #22
Tackles: 15 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
FS: Jaquan Brisker | #3
Tackles: 34 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
SS: Rayshawn Jenkins | #20
Tackles: 15 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
RCB: Jamel Dean* | #35
Tackles: 14 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
OR Daylen Everette | #23
Tackles: 11 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
NB: Jalen Ramsey | #5
Tackles: 27 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
*Injured/Out
Scouting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Overall record: 1-4 (4th in NFC South)
Last game: Bucs 24 Cowboys 16
Head Coach: Todd Bowles
- 5th Season with Tampa Bay
- Overall regular-season record: 62-78 | 36-37 with Bucs
- Playoff Record: 1-3
Team Links
Buccaneers Offense
Offensive Stats
- Points per game: 20 (25th)
- Total Offense per game: 323.4 (21st)
- Passing yards per game: 190.4 (26th)
- Rushing yards per game: 133 (7th)
- Time of Possession: 31:52 (7th)
QUARTERBACK
Starter: Baker Mayfield* | #6
Passing Yards: 615 | TD Passes: 2 | INT’s: 2 | Sacked: 13
Rushing Yards: 65 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Back-up: Jalon Daniels | #10
Passing Yards: 337 | TD Passes: 2 | INT’s: 3 | Sacked: 4
Rushing Yards: 87 | Rushing TD’s: 0
RUNNING BACKS
RB#1: Bucky Irving | #7
Rushing Yards: 406 | Rushing TD’s: 2
Receptions: 15 | Receiving Yards: 71 | Receiving TD’s: 1
RB#2: Kenneth Gainwell | #1
Rushing Yards: 44 | Rushing TD’s: 0
Receptions: 11 | Receiving Yards: 54 | Receiving TD’s: 1
RB#3: Sean Tucker | #44
Rushing Yards: 28 | Rushing TD’s: 1
Receptions: 0 | Receiving Yards: 0 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WIDE RECEIVERS
WR#1: Emeka Egbuka | #2
Receptions: 21 | Receiving Yards: 192 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Rushing Yards: 11 | Rushing TD’s: 1
WR#2: Chris Godwin, Jr. | #14
Receptions: 19 | Receiving Yards: 179 | Receiving TD’s: 1
Rushing Yards: 18 | Rushing TD’s: 0
WR#3: Tez Johnson | #15
Receptions: 5 | Receiving Yards: 138 | Receiving TD’s: 0
WR#4: Ted Hurst III | #17
Receptions: 8 | Receiving Yards: 128 | Receiving TD’s: 1
WR#5: Kameron Johnson | #19
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 3 | Receiving TD’s: 0
TIGHT ENDS
TE#1: Cade Otton | #88
Receptions: 18 | Receiving Yards: 182 | Receiving TD’s: 2
TE#2: Payne Durham | #87
Receptions: 1 | Receiving Yards: 5 | Receiving TD’s: 0
KICKER
Chase McLaughlin | #4
Extra Points: 10-10
Field Goals: 10-10
- 1-19 yards: 0-0
- 20-29 yards: 1-1
- 30-39 yards: 4-4
- 40-49 yards: 2-2
- 50+ yards: 3-3
Buccaneers Defense
Defensive System: 3-4
Defensive Stats
- Points per game allowed: 22.4 (14th)
- Total offensive yards per game allowed: 299.4 (7th)
- Passing yards allowed: 226.6 (20th)
- Rushing yards allowed: 72.8 (2nd)
- Sacks: 6 (28th)
- Interceptions: 5 (6th)
DEFENSIVE LINE
LDE: Calijah Kancey | #94
Tackles: 4 | Sacks: 0
NT: Vita Vea | #50
Tackles: 10 | Sacks: 0
RDE: A’Shawn Robinson | #91
Tackles: 16 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 1
LINEBACKERS
WLB: Rueben Bain, Jr.| #3
Tackles: 3 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
LILB: Alex Anzalone | #34
Tackles: 27 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 1
RILB: Josiah Trotter | #45
Tackles: 37 | Sacks: 1 | INT: 1
SLB: Yaya Diaby | #0
Tackles: 9 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 1
SECONDARY
LCB: Zion McCollum | #27
Tackles: 16 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
SS: Tykee Smith | #23
Tackles: 24 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
FS: Antoine Winfield, Jr.* | #31
Tackles: 24 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
RCB: Benjamin Morrison* | #21
Tackles: 11 | Sacks: 0 | INT: 0
*Injured/Out
Steelers vs Buccaneers History
Series History: Began in 1976
Overall Record: 10-2
- Home: 4-1
- Away: 6-1
- Postseason: 0-0
Streak: (2) Steelers won the last two games.
Last regular-season meeting: Steelers Win, 20-18 (Oct. 16, 2022)
Last postseason meeting: N/A
Injury Report (10/16/2026)
Pittsburgh Steelers
IR: S DeShon Elliot, WR Michael Pittman (foot)
Out: WR Roman Wilson (Finger), WR Ben Skowronek (Calf)
Doubtful: None
Questionable: WR DK Metcalf (Illness), CB Jalen Ramsey (Wrist), RB Rico Dowdle (Toe), CB Jamel Dean (Ankle), DT Keeanu Benton (Ankle)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
IR: WR David Sills V (Hamstring)
Out: QB Baker Mayfield (Right Thumb), S Antoine Winfield Jr. (Rib)
Doubtful: CB Benjamin Morrison (Quad)
Questionable: LB SirVocea Dennis (Ankle/Foot), CB Ayden Garnes (Ankle), RB Sean Tucker (Quad), LB Josiah Trotter (Knee)
* In designated to return from IR window
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From Midland, "The Basketball Capital of Pennsylvania", located 35 miles NW of Pittsburgh along the Ohio River. This former steel town was home to storied athletes such as Dave Alston, Norm Van Lier, Simmie Hill, and the legendary 1965 Midland High School Basketball Team.
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