If their Week 5 performances are any indication of what's on tap on Sunday, the Steelers and Buccaneers' showdown might be one of the best on the Week 6 slate. After dropping their first four games, the Buccaneers stunned the Cowboys in front of a prime-time audience. Tampa Bay's 24-16 win was spearheaded by Bucky Irving (who ran for a career-high 165 yards) and a defense that forced three turnovers.
The Steelers rebounded from a disheartening loss in Cleveland to post a double-digit win over the Colts last Sunday. The star of Pittsburgh's 34-22 win was running back Jaylen Warren, who became the first player since Herschel Walker (back in 1986) to have a 50-yard touchdown run and an 80-yard touchdown reception in the same game. Here's how you can follow the action, along with a breakdown and a prediction.
With Baker Mayfield still on the mend, undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels will make his third career start. Daniels' first two starts were impressive. He completed over 70% of his passes in both games and showed impressive poise for a rookie.
Against the Cowboys, Daniels completed a whopping 76% of his throws for 189 yards and a touchdown. He also took care of the ball after throwing two interceptions a week earlier against the Packers. He doesn't rely on his legs, but Daniels uses them as an asset nonetheless.
He took off seven times against the Cowboys and had 55 yards on eight carries against the Packers. A key matchup will be Warren and the Steelers' running game against the Buccaneers' run defense. Warren, who is averaging 5.9 yards-per-carry and is Pittsburgh's leader in rushing and receiving, will face a Buccaneers defense that is second in the NFL in fewest rushing yards allowed (364), rushing touchdowns allowed (2) and average yards-per-carry allowed (3.3).
It should be noted that the Buccaneers' defense has faced the sixth-fewest run plays in the NFL. Expect the Steelers to stay with the running game, even if it isn't bearing fruit early on. The Steelers will be without receivers Michael Pittman (foot), Roman Wilson (finger) and Ben Skowronek (calf) for Sunday's game.
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