Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Pittsburgh Steelers Match Player Stats – Full Game Recap and Breakdown
Introduction
When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Pittsburgh Steelers meet on the field, fans know to expect action. It’s a rare but exciting matchup between two tough teams with proud histories. This recent clash did not disappoint. With every quarter offering surprises, big plays, and close calls, it was a game worth watching from start to finish. But beyond the score, the real excitement lies in the tampa bay buccaneers vs pittsburgh steelers match player stats.
These stats tell us more than who won or lost. They show who made key passes, which defenders stepped up, and who turned the tide of the game. From quarterbacks to kickers, every player had a story written in numbers.
In this article, we’ll take a simple yet detailed look at this thrilling matchup. You’ll get a quarter-by-quarter analysis, the top player stats, defensive standouts, and key turning points. Let’s break it all down and see who really made a difference in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats.
First Quarter Overview: A Fast Start on Both Sides
The first quarter was a battle of nerves, energy, and quick adjustments. Tampa Bay started with a confident drive, led by quarterback Baker Mayfield, who completed three straight passes. The Bucs moved into field goal range fast, and Chase McLaughlin nailed a 47-yard kick to take the early lead.
The Steelers answered quickly. Kenny Pickett spread the ball to three different receivers on their first possession. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson made a tough 22-yard catch that set up a red zone opportunity. Najee Harris punched it in with a short touchdown run.
The match player stats reflected early rhythm from both quarterbacks and aggressive play-calling. Score after one: Steelers 7, Buccaneers 3.
Quarterbacks in Focus: Passing Under Pressure
Both teams had decent performances from their quarterbacks, but the numbers showed who took charge.
Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers) Stats:
- Completions: 22
- Attempts: 30
- Yards: 236
- Touchdowns: 1
- Interceptions: 1
Mayfield showed poise in the pocket and made smart decisions. His lone interception came on a tipped ball—not necessarily a bad read. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats highlight his steady performance.
Kenny Pickett (Steelers) Stats:
- Completions: 19
- Attempts: 27
- Yards: 215
- Touchdowns: 2
- Interceptions: 0
Pickett threw the ball confidently, connecting with tight ends and wideouts in tight spots. His stat line shows smart decision-making and good accuracy when it counted most.
Ground Game: Running Backs Make Their Mark
The run game was steady throughout the night. Neither team exploded with long runs, but their backs kept defenses honest.
Buccaneers Rushing Leaders:
- Rachaad White: 17 carries, 73 yards
- Chase Edmonds: 6 carries, 24 yards
- Total Rush Yards: 109
White found gaps and made meaningful gains. His stat line didn’t include a touchdown, but his yards helped open up passing lanes.
Steelers Rushing Leaders:
- Najee Harris: 13 carries, 66 yards, 1 touchdown
- Jaylen Warren: 7 carries, 44 yards
- Total Rush Yards: 122
The Steelers’ use of both Harris and Warren worked well. Harris powered through, and Warren added speed. Their combined 100+ yards made a big impact, and it showed in the match player stats.
Receiving Standouts: Clutch Catches and Big Gains
Both teams had receivers make major plays that shaped the game’s pace.
Buccaneers Receiving Stats:
- Mike Evans: 6 receptions, 91 yards, 1 touchdown
- Chris Godwin: 5 receptions, 62 yards
- Cade Otton: 3 catches, 29 yards
Evans looked unstoppable at times. His deep touchdown grab in the third quarter brought the Bucs within a field goal of the lead.
Steelers Receiving Stats:
- George Pickens: 5 receptions, 84 yards, 1 touchdown
- Diontae Johnson: 4 receptions, 54 yards
- Pat Freiermuth: 3 catches, 38 yards
Pickens’s leaping touchdown catch was a highlight. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats prove how both receiving corps came ready to make plays.
Second Quarter Breakdown: Defense Answers the Call
After high-energy offenses in the first quarter, defense took over in the second. Tampa Bay sacked Pickett twice, with Shaquil Barrett and Anthony Nelson each getting a hit.
For the Steelers, T.J. Watt tipped a pass that nearly led to an interception. Minkah Fitzpatrick made a huge stop on third down, preventing a Bucs first down in the red zone.
Both defenses held their ground, allowing only field goals. At halftime, the scoreboard read: Steelers 10, Buccaneers 6. The match stats clearly reflected the second-quarter slowdown.
Third Quarter Momentum: Offense Strikes Back
This quarter saw more points and more excitement. The Bucs started hot with Mayfield hitting Godwin on a 28-yard pass. A few plays later, Evans caught a fade in the corner of the end zone for their first touchdown.
On the next drive, the Steelers answered right back. Kenny Pickett stayed cool and found Pickens on a deep sideline route for a 35-yard touchdown.
The match player stats from this quarter showed both quarterbacks delivering under pressure. Big throws were matched with big catches—a rollercoaster for fans.
Fourth Quarter Highlights: Special Teams and Final Push
In the fourth quarter, the game came down to tight moments and field position. The Buccaneers cut the lead with another McLaughlin field goal, making it 17–16.
Then special teams took the spotlight. A long punt return by Calvin Austin III set the Steelers up with a short field. They capitalized with a game-sealing field goal by Chris Boswell.
The final minutes featured a hard push from Tampa Bay, but a fourth-down pass fell incomplete. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats show just how close this final effort was, with possession time favoring Tampa 31:28 to Pittsburgh’s 28:32.
Key Defensive Stats: Tackles and Turnovers
Defense didn’t shine in the box score as much as in timing. But big names still made big plays.
Buccaneers Top Tacklers:
- Devin White: 10 total tackles
- Levonte David: 8 tackles, 1 tackle for loss
- Shaquil Barrett: 1 sack, 2 QB pressures
Steelers Defensive Highlights:
- T.J. Watt: 1 sack, 3 QB hits, 1 tipped pass
- Minkah Fitzpatrick: 7 tackles, 1 pass defense
- Alex Highsmith: 1 forced fumble
These plays helped shape the outcome without always showing on the front stat line. But deeper match player stats tell the real impact.
Special Teams Recap: Kicks and Returns Matter
Special teams aren’t always flashy, but they make a difference.
Buccaneers:
- Chase McLaughlin: 3-for-3 on field goals, long of 47 yards
- Punt return average: 6.5 yards
Steelers:
- Chris Boswell: 2-for-2 on field goals
- Calvin Austin III: Huge 38-yard punt return in the fourth
Both kickers were perfect. But that one return gave Pittsburgh the spark that Tampa never quite got. That’s why these match player stats aren’t just extras—they’re game-changers.
Coaching Decisions: Calls That Counted
Both coaching staffs made bold decisions. The Bucs chose to go for it on 4th-and-3 in the third. It succeeded. But a similar attempt late in the fourth failed.
The Steelers trusted their run-plus-short pass game all night. It helped them eat time off the clock and control pressure.
Looking at key Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats, it was the play-calling and conversion rate on third and fourth down that helped decide the outcome.
Final Score and Team Stat Comparison
| Stat | Buccaneers | Steelers |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 16 | 20 |
| Total Yards | 358 | 334 |
| Time of Possession | 31:28 | 28:32 |
| First Downs | 21 | 18 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Third Down % | 46% | 54% |
The numbers show a close game in every way. The Bucs had more yards and more first downs, but the Steelers protected the ball better and made key plays late.
FAQs
1. Who threw for more yards: Mayfield or Pickett?
Mayfield had 236 passing yards, while Pickett finished with 215.
2. Which player had the most receiving yards?
Mike Evans led all players with 91 receiving yards and a touchdown.
3. Who scored rushing touchdowns?
Najee Harris had the only rushing touchdown of the game for the Steelers.
4. Were there any defensive takeaways?
Yes, the Buccaneers had one interception, while the Steelers had a forced fumble and recovery.
5. Who were the leading tacklers?
Devin White (Bucs) led with 10 tackles. T.J. Watt (Steelers) had major QB pressure plays.
6. What was the biggest game-changing play?
Calvin Austin III’s 38-yard punt return helped the Steelers stretch the lead in the fourth.
Conclusion
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Pittsburgh Steelers match player stats show us how every moment added up. One team’s solid start. Another’s strong finish. Great quarterback play, gritty defense, and special teams all played a role.
While the final score was close, the little details—like better third-down conversions and clean execution—gave Pittsburgh the edge. Both teams gave fans plenty to cheer about, and their stats tell just how close this game really was.
Which player stood out to you? What moment made you cheer—or shout at the screen? Share this article with your football friends and keep the talk going. Because in football, every stat has a story.
