Each week, our football staff at DK Pittsburgh Sports predicts the Steelers' result, along with sharing a few related thoughts.
For a full preview of this matchup with the Buccaneers, check my Kickoff.
Chris Halicke (2-3): Poor Kenny Pickett. He finally gets his shot, right in time for the defense to hit rock bottom. Four -- FOUR! -- starting members of the Steelers' secondary are out for this game: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cam Sutton, Levi Wallace and Ahkello Witherspoon. Only Terrell Edmunds remains, and he's coming off a concussion. Listen, I had a slight feeling of optimism that maybe they'd find a way to slow down Tom Brady enough for Pickett to outmuscle him and squeak out an upset at home. But I have zero confidence in the pass rush and, at an average of 2.4 seconds, nobody in football is getting rid of the football quicker than Brady. Now, the secondary that's trotting out practice squad members has to somehow take away Brady's targets. Buccaneers, 41-20
Matt Williamson (1-4): With the latest injury news, in particular losing Fitzpatrick, I really can’t see anything resembling a competitive game. Brady and Tampa Bay get up early and dominate. However, I do expect Pickett to play well and pass another difficult test in his rookie season. There could be better times ahead for him and his team. This won't be among them. Buccaneers, 35-17
Ramon Foster (2-3): Tampa's defense is solid. They've got Akiem Hicks, who's a headache at defensive tackle. They've got Vita Vea, who's a big boy right next to him. They've got William Gholston, too. They've got rushers on the edge. They've got linebackers. Look, I'm not giving them the crown, but on top of all that, they're strongest where the Steelers haven't been, meaning on offense. Buccaneers, 23-10
Corey Crisan (1-1): This might become a recurring take from me over these next few games. I have little confidence in the defense slowing down or stopping Brady at the stage, and I have even less confidence in the offense (looking at you, Matt Canada) scoring enough to keep it close. Buccaneers 28-10
Eddie Provident (3-2): If I’m being honest, I have no faith in this Steelers team whatsoever. However, I just can’t see a five-game losing streak happening. At some point all of the athletes on this offense are going to perform, right? I’ll say that happens this week. Najee Harris and Diontae Johnson figure things out and Pickett builds on his performance from last week in Buffalo. Steelers, 24-21
Dejan Kovacevic (1-4): The scariest thing about rock bottom's got to be that there are still two further tiers to rock bottom with trips to Miami and Philadelphia immediately following. I'm honestly not sure what to do with this. If Kenny makes progress with the offense, does that buy Canada another robustly undeserved week on the job? If a bunch of backups on defense beat Brady ... does the world end? Buccaneers, 34-13
Let's have your picks in the comments!
