The Pittsburgh Steelers are reeling heading into their Week 6 bout at home against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Going into the matchup with a 1-4 record and seemingly everyone saying their squad is among the worst in the league, Pittsburgh should come into the game with a very bounce-back type of attitude.
Credit: Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
But with how bad the team has been playing and with the number of injuries now mounting on the black and gold, the task has become even taller. Will the Steelers' defense be able to survive the methodical onslaught of the Tom Brady-led Buccaneers offense? Can the offense finally score some points, and will it be enough?
Pickett Has to Ride Behind the Home Crowd
In Kenny Pickett's first career home start, the crowd is going to be more than excited to give him all the support he needs. The energy will be relentless, and Pickett is going to have to ride his moxy and swagger if the team even wants to be in this game. Just like in the Bills game last week, you could tell Pickett was getting more confident with every throw and was not afraid of the moment.
In his first game at Acrisure Stadium, he has to continue to be confident in the pocket and trust his receivers to come up with those contested balls, even if most of them have let him down. The Buccaneers' pass defense ranks in the bottom third of the league, so the extra support from the home crowd may be able to elevate Pickett into having a great game.
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks on the field during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on October 9, 2022, in Orchard Park, New York / Credit: Bryan Bennett/Getty Images
Steelers D-Line Has to Make Brady Uncomfortable
It's a tale as old as time. Give Brady time in the pocket and he will make you pay. The Steelers are 0-8 lifetime without T.J. Watt and failed to even get pressure on Josh Allen last week. In turn, he lit the secondary up, which is already without star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick because of injury. Cornerbacks Levi Wallace, Ahkello Witherspoon and Cam Sutton are also all out, which puts the emphasis on the defensive line way more. It is vital for players like Cam Heyward and Alex Highsmith to get to Brady and force the Buccaneers into long-down situations.
Steelers Special Teams Cannot Falter
With how anemic the offensive play-calling has been under Matt Canada, Pittsburgh is bound to be punting more than once on Sunday, including in three-and-out situations. Steelers punter Pressley Harvin III has to be almost perfect in his boots, as he has struggled in staying consistent throughout the year. The team's defense cannot afford to continue to have opponents starting on their side of the field or at places that give the Buccaneers any advantage, especially with how injured the secondary is heading into the matchup.
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What do you think, #SteelerNation? Will the Steelers be able to put up points through Pickett against a talented Buccaneers defense? Will the Steelers' defensive line be able to make Brady and the Buccaneers' offense uncomfortable? Do you have faith the Steelers' special teams units will be able to do their job and not falter? Do you think the Steelers can pull off the upset? Let me know in the comments or @anthonyravasio on Twitter.
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