Steelers Rally Past Buccaneers 26-19 in OT
By Brian Hradsky
The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-19 in overtime Sunday at Raymond James Stadium, turning a 16-3 fourth-quarter deficit into their first road win of the season. Aaron Rodgers connected with Germie Bernard for a 6-yard touchdown in overtime, and Jalen Ramsey ended Tampa Bay’s response with a fourth-down sack. Pittsburgh improved to 4-2, while the Buccaneers fell to 1-5 after losing an advantage they had protected through three quarters.[1][2]
How the game turned
The Steelers’ offense struggled for much of the afternoon before finding a productive rhythm late. Tampa Bay’s pressure repeatedly interrupted Rodgers, and the Buccaneers finished with five sacks after entering the game with six for the entire season. That early defensive work put Tampa Bay in control and made Pittsburgh’s closing response necessary rather than optional.[2][4]
Pittsburgh produced four consecutive scoring drives in the fourth quarter, including three Chris Boswell field goals. The Steelers eventually moved in front, forcing Tampa Bay to answer after having led by 13 points. Chase McLaughlin delivered a 53-yard field goal with eight seconds remaining in regulation, tying the score at 19 and extending the game.[2][3]
Key performances and context
Rodgers then led a 12-play, 70-yard touchdown drive on the opening overtime possession. Bernard’s scoring catch gave Pittsburgh the lead, but Tampa Bay still received a chance to match it. Ramsey’s pressure on Jalon Daniels ended that opportunity, making the Steelers’ defense responsible for the final play of a comeback that the offense had worked to create.[1][3]
The Buccaneers received notable production from young defenders, including a multi-sack game from David Walker. Their pass rush demonstrated enough ability to make the result particularly frustrating, because the early control did not translate into a completed win. Pittsburgh’s victory kept it level with Cleveland and Baltimore in the AFC North, while Tampa Bay entered its next division matchup with an increasingly difficult record.[4][5]
NFL Sports Blog Take
Pittsburgh deserves credit for recovering from a poor offensive start and continuing to execute when the game demanded it. Rodgers, Bernard, Boswell and Ramsey each contributed to the finish, giving the comeback more substance than a single fortunate play. Tampa Bay has defensive performances worth building on, but a team at 1-5 needs those stretches to last through the possessions that decide the result.