Week 6: Steelers Rally From 13 Down, Stun Buccaneers in Overtime for First Road Win
Through the first five weeks of the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers had been unable to find success away from home. Following their Week 5 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, they entered Tampa Bay looking to change that trend.
Not only did they accomplish that goal, but they did so in dramatic fashion. After trailing by 13 points in the second half, the Steelers stormed back to defeat the Buccaneers 26-19 in overtime, earning their first road win of the season and improving to 4-2 on the year.
Game Recap
The Buccaneers struck first after quarterback Aaron Rodgers was intercepted while targeting tight end Darnell Washington. Although the Steelers' defence held firm in the red zone, Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin converted a 43-yard field goal to give Tampa Bay an early 3-0 lead.
After several stalled drives by both teams, the Buccaneers found the end zone on an eight-play, 60-yard scoring drive, capped by a touchdown reception from Emeka Egbuka to extend the lead to 10-0. Tampa Bay added another McLaughlin field goal later in the second quarter, pushing its advantage to 13-0.
Before halftime, the Steelers finally got on the board with a nine-play, 43-yard drive that ended with a Chris Boswell field goal. The kick trimmed the deficit to 13-3 heading into the break and gave Pittsburgh some much-needed momentum entering the second half.
After Pittsburgh's offence opened the second half with another stalled drive, Tampa Bay responded with a methodical possession that drained more than eight minutes off the clock. The Buccaneers capped the drive with another McLaughlin field goal, extending their lead to 16-3 and further tightening their grip on the game.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Steelers finally found the end zone on an eight-play, 68-yard scoring drive. The possession was kept alive by a clutch third-and-16 conversion to receiver DK Metcalf and aided by a 15-yard roughing-the-passer penalty. Pittsburgh capped the drive with a touchdown, and the ensuing extra point trimmed Tampa Bay's lead to 16-10.
The Steelers' defence came up with a game-changing play on the ensuing Tampa Bay possession, as rookie cornerback Daylen Everette stepped in front of a pass for an interception and gave Pittsburgh excellent field position.The offence was unable to cash in with a touchdown, but Chris Boswell remained reliable, converting a field goal to cap the drive. The kick trimmed the Buccaneers' lead to 16-13. Following the two-minute warning, Boswell delivered once again. The veteran kicker drilled a 58-yard field goal, capping another Steelers drive and knotting the game at 16-16.
The Steelers' defence delivered another pivotal turnover on Tampa Bay's ensuing possession. Former Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean came back to haunt his old team, intercepting quarterback Jalen Daniels and giving Pittsburgh prime field position with a chance to complete the comeback. While the offence once again stalled inside scoring range, Boswell continued his outstanding afternoon. The veteran kicker converted another field goal, giving the Steelers a 19-16 lead.
On the ensuing drive, the Buccaneers would take it the length of the field and tie the game at 19, eventually sending the contest into overtime.
Overtime Period
In overtime, Rodgers delivered when the Steelers needed him most, orchestrating a masterful 12-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass to rookie receiver Germie Bernard. The score gave Pittsburgh a 26-19 lead and completed a remarkable comeback after trailing by 13 points in the second half.
On Tampa Bay's ensuing possession, the Steelers' defence slammed the door shut. Jamel Dean came up with another key play against his former team, while the pressure continued to mount on the Buccaneers' offence. The game was ultimately sealed by cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who came up with a drive-ending sack to secure a dramatic 26-19 overtime victory for Pittsburgh.
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