NFL: Steelers Slow Down Bucs
Turnovers kill. That's the league we live in, and it's not going to change anytime soon. It really doesn't matter if your offense outscores your opponent, if you out-gain your opponent by more than 40 yards, or if you earn six more first downs. If you turn the ball over four times, it's going to be really difficult to win in the NFL. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were off to a 2-0 start, and without four turnovers, they might be 3-0 at this point. Instead, they were unable to take down the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are now 1-1-1, through three weeks. The Steelers came away with their first win of the season, staving off a late comeback to win 30-27. After getting up a by TD early, the Bucs completely fell flat until the fourth quarter.
Pittsburgh built a lead as big as 30-10, which they held at halftime. QB Ben Roethlisberger had a great night. It began with a 75-yard score to WR Vance McDonald and within 10 minutes, the Steelers were celebrating in the end zone again. This time it was a connection with WR Antonio Brown. Brown caught a 27-yard pass from Big Ben to extend Pittsburgh's lead to 16-7. Still within striking distance, the Bucs were looking to get a quick score. Unfortunately for QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and Co., he was picked off by LB Bud Dupree, who ran 10 yards for another touchdown. The Steelers would score their third touchdown of the quarter with just seconds left, as Roethlisberger hit WR Ryan Switzer to put them up by 20 at the break.
Fitzpatrick tried to lead an epic comeback in the fourth quarter. He found WR Chris Godwin on five-yard score that capped a 12-play and 63-yard drive that took five minutes. A little less than six minutes later, Fitzpatrick threw an absolute bomb to WR Mike Evans, who made a leaping catch for a 24-yard TD. That cut the Pittsburgh lead to 30-27. The Bucs would get the ball back one more time with over two minutes left, but failed to pick up a first down. Pittsburgh held on for the three-point win, despite being outscored 17-0 in the second half. The Steelers will take on the Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, and Cincinnati Bengals over the next three weeks. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay will try to bounce back versus the Chicago Bears this weekend.
Photo Credit: CBS Sports.
