Steelers GameDay Cheat Sheet: Week 6 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Steelers GameDay Cheat Sheet is a weekly series featuring a quick glance at the upcoming Steelers game, including odds, records, things to watch for, and how to watch/listen to the game.
Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-4)
The Pittsburgh Steelers head to Tampa Bay on Sunday looking to build on their 34-22 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Pittsburgh put together one of its more complete performances of the season last weekend, but injuries at wide receiver have created another challenge for Mike McCarthy’s offense.
Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdown passes against Indianapolis, while Jaylen Warren finished with a career-high 188 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. With Michael Pittman Jr. on injured reserve and Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek unavailable, Pittsburgh will need contributions from its remaining receivers and tight ends to maintain that offensive momentum.
Tampa Bay enters Sunday’s matchup with a 1-4 record following a 24-16 victory over Dallas. However, the Buccaneers have been much more competitive defensively than their record suggests. Tampa Bay ranks seventh in total defense and second against the run, while Bucky Irving leads an offense averaging 133 rushing yards per game.
The Steelers have historically dominated this series, winning 10 of 12 regular-season meetings, including six of seven games played in Tampa Bay. Pittsburgh also won the most recent matchup, defeating the Buccaneers 20-18 in 2022.
This preview breaks down the key stats and notes for Sunday’s matchup, along with where you can watch and listen to the game.
Series History
- All-Time: Steelers lead, 10-2 – Last: Steelers Win, 20-18 (Oct. 16, 2022)
- Regular Season: Steelers lead, 10-2
- Steelers Home: Steelers lead, 4-1 – Last: Steelers Win, 20-18 (Oct. 16, 2022)
- Steelers Away: Steelers lead, 6-1 – Last: Steelers Win, 30-27 (Sept. 24, 2018)
- Playoffs: The teams have never met in the postseason.
Series Notes
- Sunday’s game will mark the 13th regular-season meeting between Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay.
- The Steelers have won 10 of the previous 12 meetings and six of seven games played in Tampa Bay.
- Pittsburgh’s .833 winning percentage against Tampa Bay is its third-highest against any opponent since 1970.
- The Steelers have won all three October meetings between the franchises.
- Pittsburgh has won the last two meetings, including a 30-27 victory in Tampa Bay on September 24, 2018.
- The teams have never met in the postseason.
The Coaches
Steelers – Mike McCarthy
- At Franchise: 3-2 (1st season)
- Overall: 177-114-2 (19th season)
- vs. Buccaneers: 4-4
Buccaneers – Todd Bowles
- At Franchise: 36-37 (5th season)
- Overall: 62-78 (10th season)
- vs. Steelers: 0-2
Gameday Information
- Date: Sunday, October 18th, 2026
- Time: 1:00 PM ET
- Location: Raymond James Stadium | Tampa, Florida
- Surface: Natural Grass
- Capacity: 65,890
- TV: CBS | Locally KDKA-TV
Andrew Catalon (play-by-play), Logan Ryan (analysis), AJ Ross (field reporter)
- Steelers Audio Network: 102.5 WDVE-FM (Pittsburgh) & 970 WBGG-AM (Pittsburgh) plus affiliates
Rob King (play-by-play), Max Starks (analysis), Missi Matthews (field reporter)
- Satellite Radio:
- 🎧 Buccaneers: Sirius 82, XM/SXM 195, Internet 829🎧 Steelers: Sirius 174, XM/SXM 264, Internet 826
- Referee: Land Clark
- Vegas: Steelers -2.5, Over/Under 39.5
SCU Pregame and Postgame Shows
View the videos below on YouTube or visit our podcast page to find it on all popular audio platforms.
Pregame: Can the Steelers keep rolling with a depleted offense?
The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to build on their 34-22 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, but a trip to Tampa Bay presents some interesting challenges.
Joe flies solo in this week’s Steel City Underground game preview, breaking down the Steelers’ growing injury concerns at wide receiver, Jaylen Warren’s emergence as Pittsburgh’s biggest offensive weapon, and what Aaron Rodgers can expect from Todd Bowles’ defense.
On the other side of the ball, the Steelers must find a way to contain Bucky Irving and put pressure on rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels. Joe also digs into the numbers behind both teams, including Tampa Bay’s surprisingly strong defense, Pittsburgh’s third-down struggles, and several key matchups that could determine Sunday’s outcome.
Can the Steelers keep their momentum going despite a depleted receiving corps, or will the Buccaneers present more problems than their 1-4 record suggests? Tune in for the Week 6 preview, keys to victory, and predictions!
The Steel City Underground Podcast can be found on:
SCU Steelers News & Notes
Game Stats and Notes
Team Comparison
|
PIT |
TB |
| Points Scored/Game |
22.2 |
20.0 |
| Total Offense/Game |
324.6 |
306.4 |
| Pass Yards/Game |
223.4 |
173.4 |
| Rush Yards/Game |
101.2 |
133.0 |
| Sacks Allowed |
14 |
17 |
| Third Down % |
32.8% |
38.2% |
| Points Allowed/Game |
21.8 |
22.4 |
| Total Defense/Game |
324.2 |
299.4 |
| Pass Yards Allowed/Game |
220.8 |
226.6 |
| Rush Yards Allowed/Game |
103.4 |
72.8 |
| Defensive Sacks |
11 |
6 |
| Interceptions |
4 |
5 |
| Takeaways |
8 |
7 |
| Giveaways |
6 |
9 |
| Turnover Margin |
+2 |
-2 |
Statistics through Week 5 of the 2026 NFL regular season.
Team Leaders
Steelers Leaders
- Aaron Rodgers: 110/184, 1,234 yards, 10 TD, 4 INT
- Jaylen Warren: 70 carries, 410 rushing yards, 1 TD; 19 receptions, 230 receiving yards, 1 TD; 640 scrimmage yards
- DK Metcalf: 19 receptions, 225 yards, 1 TD
- Roman Wilson: 14 receptions, 188 yards, 2 TD
- T.J. Watt: 4.5 sacks, 6 tackles for loss
- Alex Highsmith: 3 sacks, 5 tackles for loss
- Chris Boswell: 9/12 field goals, 10/10 extra points, 37 points
Buccaneers Leaders
- Jalon Daniels: 38/55, 337 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
- Bucky Irving: 77 carries, 406 rushing yards, 2 TD; 15 receptions, 71 receiving yards, 1 TD; 477 scrimmage yards
- Emeka Egbuka: 21 receptions, 192 receiving yards, 1 TD
- Chris Godwin: 19 receptions, 179 receiving yards
- David Walker: 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss
- Josiah Trotter: 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss
- Chase McLaughlin: 10/10 field goals, 10/10 extra points, 40 points
Steelers Notes
- QB Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdown passes without an interception against Indianapolis, posting a 125.1 passer rating. It was his 58th career game with a passer rating of at least 125, the most in NFL history. Rodgers has thrown at least three touchdown passes in three consecutive games.
- RB Jaylen Warren produced a career-high 188 scrimmage yards against Indianapolis, rushing for 101 yards and adding 87 receiving yards. His 80-yard receiving touchdown and 50-yard rushing touchdown made him the first player in 40 seasons to accomplish both in the same game.
- WR DK Metcalf has recorded at least six receptions and 70 receiving yards in each of his previous two games against Tampa Bay.
- WR Germie Bernard caught six passes for 80 yards against Indianapolis, setting the stage for an expanded role with Pittsburgh’s receiving corps depleted by injuries.
- TE Pat Freiermuth caught two touchdown passes against Indianapolis and is tied for the NFL lead among tight ends with four receiving touchdowns this season.
- LB T.J. Watt has 4.5 sacks this season and has recorded a sack in each of his previous two road games. He has 36 sacks and 39 tackles for loss in 38 career games against NFC opponents.
- LB Payton Wilson recorded 10 tackles and two tackles for loss against Indianapolis. He is the only NFL player with at least 10 tackles and two tackles for loss in multiple games this season.
- LB Patrick Queen has recorded at least five tackles in four of Pittsburgh’s first five games.
- DT Cameron Heyward recorded his first sack of the season against Indianapolis, bringing his career total to 93. He has recorded a sack in two of his three career games against Tampa Bay.
- CB Asante Samuel Jr. recorded four passes defensed against Indianapolis and leads the AFC with seven this season.
- CB Jalen Ramsey tied his career high with nine tackles against Indianapolis.
Buccaneers Notes
- QB Jalon Daniels completed 19 of 25 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown against Dallas, posting a 110.3 passer rating. The rookie has thrown a touchdown pass in consecutive games.
- RB Bucky Irving rushed for a career-high 165 yards against Dallas, the highest single-game rushing total in the NFL during Week 5. He also scored both a rushing and receiving touchdown.
- RB Kenny Gainwell faces his former team after recording career highs with 1,023 scrimmage yards, 73 receptions and eight touchdowns with Pittsburgh in 2025.
- WR Emeka Egbuka caught six passes for 38 yards against Dallas and scored the first rushing touchdown of his NFL career.
- WR Chris Godwin has 631 career receptions for 7,805 yards and 41 touchdowns. He caught six passes for 95 yards in his most recent meeting with Pittsburgh.
- WR Tez Johnson recorded a career-high 64 receiving yards in Week 5.
- LB Josiah Trotter recorded seven tackles and a tackle for loss against Dallas. The rookie ranks fourth among first-year players with 37 tackles.
- LB Yaya Diaby recorded the first interception of his NFL career against Dallas.
- LB Alex Anzalone recorded five tackles and an interception in Week 5.
- CB Jacob Parrish recorded a career-high four passes defensed in Week 4 and has continued to be productive in Tampa Bay’s secondary.
- CB Zyon McCollum recorded two passes defensed against Dallas.
- S Antoine Winfield Jr. has recorded at least five tackles in three of his past four games.
Steelers Broadcasts
Steelers TV Coverage
This week’s game will be broadcast regionally on CBS. STEELERS COVERAGE IN BLUE.
Regional broadcast image courtesy of 506sports.com.
Be sure to check back here weekly as we publish which areas of the United States will carry the game over traditional, over-the-air (OTA) antenna signals. If you do not have the ability to receive these channels locally, Steelers games are also available in-market via Steelers.com or applicable streaming services. You may also be able to watch games by subscribing to NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV or watching on delay via NFL+.
Steelers Local Broadcast Affiliates
- KDKA (CBS/2 – Pittsburgh)
Weekday Games
- Thursday Night Football games are exclusive to Amazon Prime.
- Sunday Night Football games are nationally on NBC and streaming on Peacock.
- Monday Night Football games are exclusive to ESPN with some simulcasts on ABC.
- A small amount of games, such as international or holiday games, may be exclusive to other platforms.
Steelers Radio Coverage
For those who enjoy listening to the game on radio, you can hear Steelers games on the following terrestrial stations, as well as on the Steelers website and app (in-market only) and nationwide with specific SiriusXM radio packages.
Flagship Stations
- WDVE-FM (102.5)
- WBGG-AM (970)
2026 Pittsburgh Steelers Schedule
| Week |
Date |
Opponent |
Location |
Time/Result |
TV |
| 1 |
Sun, Sep 13 |
vs Atlanta Falcons |
Acrisure Stadium |
W, 20-13 |
FOX |
| 2 |
Sun, Sep 20 |
@ New England Patriots |
Gillette Stadium |
L, 3-20 |
CBS |
| 3 |
Sun, Sep 27 |
vs Cincinnati Bengals |
Acrisure Stadium |
W, 30-27 |
CBS |
| 4 |
Thu, Oct 1 |
@ Cleveland Browns |
Huntington Bank Field |
L, 24-27 |
Prime Video |
| 5 |
Sun, Oct 11 |
vs Indianapolis Colts |
Acrisure Stadium |
W, 34-22 |
CBS |
| 6 |
Sun, Oct 18 |
@ Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
Raymond James Stadium |
1:00 PM |
CBS |
| 7 |
Sun, Oct 25 |
vs New Orleans Saints |
Stade de France |
9:30 AM |
NFL Network |
| 8 |
Sun, Nov 1 |
vs Cleveland Browns |
Acrisure Stadium |
1:00 PM |
CBS |
| 9 |
– |
BYE WEEK |
– |
– |
– |
| 10 |
Sun, Nov 15 |
@ Cincinnati Bengals |
Paycor Stadium |
8:20 PM |
NBC |
| 11 |
Sun, Nov 22 |
@ Philadelphia Eagles |
Lincoln Financial Field |
4:25 PM |
CBS |
| 12 |
Fri, Nov 27 |
vs Denver Broncos |
Acrisure Stadium |
3:00 PM |
Prime Video |
| 13 |
Sun, Dec 6 |
vs Houston Texans |
Acrisure Stadium |
8:20 PM |
NBC |
| 14 |
Mon, Dec 14 |
@ Jacksonville Jaguars |
EverBank Stadium |
8:15 PM |
ESPN |
| 15 |
Sun, Dec 20 |
vs Baltimore Ravens |
Acrisure Stadium |
1:00 PM |
CBS |
| 16 |
TBD |
vs Carolina Panthers |
Acrisure Stadium |
TBD |
TBD |
| 17 |
Sun, Jan 3 |
@ Tennessee Titans |
Nissan Stadium |
1:00 PM |
CBS |
| 18 |
TBD |
@ Baltimore Ravens |
M&T Bank Stadium |
TBD |
TBD |
Note: All times Eastern. Schedule subject to change due to flexible scheduling.
Statistics and game information courtesy of the Pittsburgh Steelers and/or National Football League.
