Buccaneers vs. Steelers: Breaking Down Pittsburgh's Game Plan

It would be easy to view the Pittsburgh Steelers’ resounding 37-19 win over the Carolina Panthers last Sunday as a turning point for the season, just as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 56-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons could be an indicator that their season is on life support.

However, this is the NFL, and we all understand there are no such things as sure things. Any team can lose to any other team if just a few things go awry.

Nevertheless, as the showdown between the Steelers and Buccaneers looms, Pittsburgh must be coming into this game with some modicum of confidence against a Buccaneers team sitting at 0-3.

But don’t be fooled. All savvy Steelers fans know that coming off of a big win, Pittsburgh is not beneath playing down to their next opponent, losing a game they should win.

	Buccaneers	Steelers
Points Per Game	15.0	24.3
Passing Yards Per Game	163.3	256.0
Rushing Yards Per Game	107.7	163.3
Points Allowed Per Game	31.7	24
Passing Yards Allowed Per Game	261.7	223.7
Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game	125.3	130
Sacks	4	7
Sacks Allowed	7	7
Turnover Differential	-2	-2

When the Steelers are on offense

Tampa should expect a heavy dose on the three Bs on Sunday. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Le'Veon Bell and wide receiver Antonio Brown drive this black and yellow bus, and that isn't going to change any time soon.

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Look for the Steelers to attack the middle of the Buccaneers defense with Bell and this new and improved running game. The Steelers attacked the middle of a Panthers defensive line that is loaded with talent. There's no reason to believe that Pittsburgh won't come back with more of the same against the Buccaneers.

Bell’s game has really emerged the season by utilizing a bit of an unorthodox rushing attack. Many of Bell's best runs have been on inside draws out of the shotgun. Rather than a designed read, Bell is allowed to hang back, patiently wait for a crease to develop and then explode through the hole.

This new, lighter version of Bell has been impressive. He seems to be as adept at running between the tackles as he is splitting out wide and catching the football. And in this game, look for Bell to be a more prominent factor in the passing attack. 

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

For all of the promise of a new wide receiving depth chart, Roethlisberger has decided that everything old is new again. Of Roethlisberger’s 67 completions through three games, 33 of those have gone to either Brown or tight end Heath Miller.

So, while Steelers fans everywhere wait for the rest of the wide receiver corps to emerge, the passing game should be in good hands. Brown will continue to stretch the defense horizontally and soften them up, while Miller patrols the middle of the field.

When the Steelers are on defense

Last Sunday gave everyone a glimpse of what this Pittsburgh defense is capable of. They were able to not only shut down the run, but they also harassed Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton all game long. According to Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writer Mark Kaboly, the Steelers were able to have their best game in terms of pressure on the quarterback.

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Steelers coaches had defense with 12 QB Hurries/Pressure against Car. Heyward 4, Keisel 2, Thomas 2, Jones 1, McLendon 1, Moats 1, Worilds 1

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) September 24, 2014 "

Pittsburgh didn’t get too fancy with their plan of attack against Carolina, and I don’t expect much of a change against Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have struggled all season to move the football ranking near the bottom in points and yards.

Don’t be at all shocked if the Steelers come out a little flat and the Buccaneers are able to get chunks of yards. The Steelers were 0-3 last season, and they were a talented football team. The Buccaneers are talented as well, and with the beating they took from the Falcons, I expect Tampa to rally.

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

The keys for Pittsburgh will be to play smart assignment football. The term I continue to use is “tackle the route” because it fits. The Steelers are going to give up some catches but can minimize the damage.

Case in point, as we saw against Carolina: Other than the long touchdown to tight end Greg Olsen, and the one to wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (when the game was in hand), the Steelers did a great job in limiting yards after the catch. The Buccaneers have some big targets as well, and so with a depleted defense, sound tackling will be vital.

Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images

Don’t look for a lot of exotic pressures from Pittsburgh. Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon is not going to be confused with Cam Newton any time soon, so there’s no reason to believe Pittsburgh is going to employ any exotic schemes.

Prediction and Implications

The Steelers have the opportunity to close out this first quarter of the season at 3-1. When you consider they started the 2013 season 0-4, it would represent a massive turnaround. 

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Is it possible that the Steelers welcome Tampa Bay into Heinz Field and lay an egg? Of course. It wouldn’t be the first time Pittsburgh lost a game they should win following a big win (Oakland, anyone?). Both teams are going to know pretty quickly which of these teams wants to either gain or maintain some momentum.

Nope, this time around, Pittsburgh protects its house against a desperate Buccaneers team. There’s just too much offense on the Steelers’ side of the ball for Tampa, and they pull away late. This win is a must for the Steelers if they want to keep pace with the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals.

Steelers 35, Buccaneers 24

All stats courtesy of NFL.com.