Pittsburgh Steelers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Steelers 3-0 Without Big Ben

Steelers: 38

Buccaneers: 13    Final

Good Afternoon, my name is Charles Howe and I'm a featured columnist for the Pittsburgh Steelers. I will be providing my insight on the matchup between Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay...LIVE.

This game features two teams that are exceeding the expectations of most NFL fans. The Steelers were written off before the season due to the suspension of their $100 million quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. The Buccaneers had a less than spectacular season last year, and were not expected to be any better this season. Neither team was expected to be sitting undefeated coming into Week 3.

Tampa Bay's Josh Freeman is a big, strong quarterback built from the same mold of Ben Roethlisberger. He's thrown four touchdowns to only one interception this season. He's hard to sack and he makes good decisions.

Unfortunately for Josh Freeman, he will be staring Pittsburgh's defense in the face this afternoon. The Steelers defense created seven turnovers last week while limiting Chris Johnson, a running back that many consider to be the best in the league, to only 34 yards on the ground.

Don't expect Tampa Bay to score many points this afternoon; the Steelers defense will keep Pittsburgh in the game until the clock expires. This game will be won or lost while Pittsburgh's offense is squaring off against Tampa Bay's defense. Can the Steelers, led by Charlie Batch, score enough points to win?

Notes

Tampa Bay has not started the season 3-0 since 2005.

Tampa Bay's Tanard Jackson is serving a 16-game suspension for violation of the substance abuse policy after missing four games for the same reason last season.

Pittsburgh's Max Starks should be back in the starting lineup this afternoon.

Pittsburgh holds a 7-1 all-time record against Tampa Bay.