Milla's Buc Report: Week 3 Preview

Jabber HeadSep 25, 2010

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-0)

Stats/Notes of Interest

-This will be the ninth meeting between the Steelers and Buccaneers. The Bucs are 1-7 in the previous eight games. The only win in franchise history against the Steelers was December 13th, 1998, a 16-3 Bucs victory in Tampa. The last meeting between these two teams was at Heinz Field on December 3rd, 2006 with a 20-3 win for the Steelers.

-This game will be the first trip back to Raymond James Stadium for the Steelers since their 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.

-Bucs C Jeff Faine is listed as questionable for Sunday's game, but Faine says that he will play. RB Kareem Huggins, WR Maurice Stovall LB Niko Koutovides, and CB Myron Lewis are also questionable to play. FS Tanard Jackson is now suspended for the year after a failed drug test; rookie Cody Grimm will start in his place.

For the Steelers, OG Trai Essex has been ruled out. QB Ben Roethlisberger is on game three of his four game suspension, QB Dennis Dixon is out and veteran Charlie Batch will start in his place. DT Casey Hampton, OG Chris Kemoeatu, OT Max Starks, and WR Hines Ward are all listed as probable.

Starting Lineups

Pittsburgh Steelers
QB-Charlie Batch
HB-Rashard Mendenhall
FB-David Johnson
WR-Hines Ward
WR-Mike Wallace
TE-Heath Miller
LT-Max Starks
LG-Chris Kemoeatu
C-Maurkice Pouncey
RG-Doug Legursky
RT-Flozell Adams

DE-Aaron Smith
DT-Casey Hampton
DE-Brett Keisel
OLB-LaMarr Woodley
MLB-James Farrior
MLB-Lawrence Timmons
OLB-James Harrison
CB-Ike Taylor
CB-Bryant McFadden
SS-Troy Polamalu
FS-Ryan Clark

K-Jeff Reed
P-Dan Sepulveda
KR-Antonio Browns

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
QB-Josh Freeman
HB-Cadillac Williams
FB-Earnest Graham
WR-Mike Williams
WR-Sammie Stroughter
TE-Kellen Winslow
LT-Donald Penn
LG-Keydrick Vincent
C-Jeff Faine
RG-Davin Joseph
RT-Jeremy Trueblood

DE-Stylez G. White
DT-Gerald McCoy
DT-Roy Miller
DE-Kyle Moore
OLB-Quincy Black
MLB-Barrett Ruud
OLB-Geno Hayes
CB-Aqib Talib
CB-Ronde Barber
SS-Sean Jones
FS-Cody Grimm

K-Connor Barth
P-Chris Bryan
KR-Michael Spurlock

Fantasy Impact

This is a very unappealing game for fantasy players. Both teams have strong defenses, which may result in low scoring game. Try to avoid as many players in this game as possible. Kellen Winslow and Rashard Mendenhall would be the only players I'd consider starting from this game.

Milla's Keys to the Game

For the Bucs to win they must...avoid turnovers. The Bucs have won the turnover battle 6-1 so far this season, and in what could be a low scoring game, the Bucs offense needs to avoid giving the Steelers' offense a short field and let their defense do their job.

For the Steelers to win they must...run the ball. With Charlie Batch at the helm and a passing game that hasn't performed that well without Big Ben, the Steelers will need to get Mendenhall going on the ground.

Prediction
This should be a good defensive slugfest, but I'll go out on a limb and keep the confidence in the Bucs. Tampa Bay wins an ugly one, 13-10.