Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) forces a fumble as he hits Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) forces a fumble as he hits Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
The Pittsburgh Steelers earned their most improbable victory in quite some time as the team, minus six defensive starters including All-Pros T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, held Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in check and got just enough from its offense to secure a 20-18 victory at Acrisure Stadium.
The already banged-up Steelers suffered another major injury in-game when starting quarterback Kenny Pickett was lost to a concussion in the third quarter.
Mitch Trubisky came off the bench to deliver the Steelers to a victory with a 6-yard touchdown to Chase Claypool to extend the Steelers’ lead and an outstanding four-minute drive to keep Tom Brady from getting the ball back.
Chase Claypool had his best game of the season. In addition to his touchdown, he caught three passes to convert third downs of over 10 yards, including two on the final drive.
The Steelers defense, missing five from its secondary, leaned on its inside linebackers in pass coverage, and they got the job done, with four PBUs, including Devin Bush knocking away Tom Brady’s 2-point conversion attempt that would have tied the game.
The win was huge for the team given its circumstances, but also because of the opponent, as the Pittsburgh defense was able to limit the G.O.A.T., Tom Brady.
Larry Ogunjobi led the way for a run defense that bottled up Leonard Fournette all afternoon.
Steelers Takeaways: The combination of individual efforts and a create scheme meshed for the defense, and Mitch Trubisky’s professionalism in the wake of being benched were huge for the Steelers offense.
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The Steelers went off as 9.5-point underdogs, making them the largest underdog to win a game outright so far this season.
With the Browns and Ravens also losing, the Steelers leave Sunday just one game out of first place in the AFC North.
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The team will open its locker room to the media after film, meetings and treatment at 1:15 p.m. — Nick Farabaugh, Alan Sanders
