Week 3 of the NFL season concludes with (no, this is not a typo) the undefeated Tampa Bay Buccaneers playing host to the winless Pittsburgh Steelers. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 EST on Monday, September 24, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
Despite the difference in their records, the Steelers are favored by 2.5 points on the road. That line is come down slightly after Pittsburgh opened as 3-point favorites. The over/under is set at 52.5 points. Be sure to check out a full list of this week’s NFL odds.
Many predicted disaster for the Bucs this season, especially with Ryan Fitzpatrick forced into duty the first three weeks of the season because of Jameis Winston being suspended. Instead, the Bucs have been one of the most impressive and surprising teams through the first two weeks of the season. It started when Fitzpatrick won a 48-40 shootout against Drew Brees and the Saints in Week 1. Tampa followed up that win last week by taking down the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles 28-20.
Of course, with the Saints being notoriously slow starters and the Eagles starting Nick Foles at quarterback, the Bucs still have some skeptics. Fitzpatrick also has to prove that he deserves to remain the starter when Winston’s suspension ends next week.
Meanwhile, the Steelers have not gotten off to the fast start many anticipated. They started off the season with a tie against the Browns in a game they probably should have lost after turning the ball over six times. The Steelers came home last week but ended up losing 43-38 in a shootout with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
In addition to the disappointing record, Pittsburgh’s season has seen a little bit of controversy. A disgruntled Le’Veon Bell still hasn’t joined the team and isn’t likely to show up anytime soon. Plus, there was some turmoil surrounding star receiver Antonio Brown writing “Trade me” in a tweet and then not showing up to practice on Monday for personal reasons.
With issues both on and off the field, the Steelers are desperate for a win so they can try to move all of their issues to the back burner. A loss this week would also send them to the bottom of the AFC North standings. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, knows they can’t take their foot off the gas. The Bucs were the only team in the NFC South to miss the playoffs last year, so any slip up means they’ll have three other teams nipping at their heals.
I don’t care what the Steelers say or how they try to spin it, this team seems to be a little distracted by stuff happening away from the field. They may have the talent to overcome that some weeks, but it’ll be tough on a Monday night on the road against a team that’s brimming with confidence. With the Bucs getting points at home after the way they’ve played the first two weeks, I have to lean toward Tampa Bay.
Pittsburgh’s biggest problem right now, at least on the field, is the defense. Statistically, they are one of the worst in the NFL right now. You can argue that part of it is playing the explosive Kansas City offense last week. But the Steelers also failed to hold a 14-point lead against the Browns in Week 1. Clearly, there are some issues to sort out on that side of the field.
It’s also not hard to argue that the Bucs are just as dangerous as the Chiefs. Fitzpatrick has looked as sharp as anyone the first two weeks and considering his experience in the league, he should be able to find weaknesses on Pittsburgh’s defense and exploit them.
Tampa Bay also has skill players that are just as good as what the Steelers saw against the Chiefs last week. Mike Evans has 17 catches on 19 targets, so he’s been close to unstoppable this season. DeSean Jackson remains a constant deep threat. Chris Godwin and tight end O.J. Howard shouldn’t be overlooked either; both are also capable of creating big plays in the passing game. Even without the Bucs having much of a running game, the Steelers are likely to struggle to get stops.
Of course, we can’t lose sight of how porous Tampa’s defense has been and how explosive the Pittsburgh offense can be. However, we can forgive the Bucs giving up big plays to Brees and the Saints in Week 1. They also held the Eagles in check for most of the game last week, only giving up a couple touchdowns once took a 20-point lead. We also can’t forget the six turnovers the Steelers had in Week 1. That’s not a problem the Bucs have had this year and it could end up being a difference on Monday night.
Admittedly, I may be too quick to buy the Bucs after only two games. But Tampa Bay has beat two good teams while the Steelers have found ways to avoid winning their first two games of the season. I’m as surprised as anyone, but right now, I trust the Buccaneers more than I trust the Steelers. As a home underdog, I’ll side with Tampa Bay on Monday night.