Despite a favorable matchup, Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense continued to look sluggish in the team’s 20-18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Despite a favorable matchup, Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense continued to look sluggish in the team’s 20-18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Buccaneers entered their Week 6 game with a rather healthy receiving corps — only Julio Jones was missing due to injury — and the offensive unit struggled drastically versus a Steelers defense that entered ranking 26th in the league in points allowed per game (25.6 points allowed).
And the biggest culprit for that is none other than the offensive line.
We’re well aware the Buccaneers have a makeshift offensive line, being forced to replace three of their five starters from last season. Starting center Ryan Jensen remains sidelined due to a severe knee injury suffered in training camp, while the starting guards from 2021, Alex Cappa and and Pro Bowler Ali Marpet, departed.
But the situation doesn’t appear to be getting any better.
The Steelers — who were missing reigning Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt — constantly pressured Tom Brady all day, sacking him twice and forcing Tampa Bay to go just 4-for-14 on third down conversions. The Buccaneers also went just 1-for-4 in the red zone. In particular, defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi was in Brady’s face throughout the game.
“We gotta find a way to score in the red zone,” head coach Todd Bowles said after the game. “We have to find a way to be better in short yardage, 3rd-and-1, 4th-and-inches, we gotta find a way to be better.”
For perspective, the Steelers’ defense entered the game with a 65.2 pass-rushing grade, ranking 23rd in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.
