- Oct 16, 2026
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Tampa Bay aims to build on its first victory when the Buccaneers host Pittsburgh in Week 6. The Buccaneers opened 0-4 before defeating the Cowboys 24-16 in a prime-time contest, with Bucky Irving rushing for a career-high 165 yards and the defense forcing three turnovers.
Jalon Daniels will make his third career start at quarterback with Baker Mayfield injured. The undrafted rookie completed 76 percent of his passes for 189 yards and one touchdown versus the Cowboys, adding seven carries. Tampa Bay's run defense ranks second in the NFL, having allowed 364 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns and 3.3 yards per carry.
Pittsburgh enters after beating the Colts 34-22 following a loss in Cleveland. Jaylen Warren became the first player since Herschel Walker in 1986 with a 50-yard TD run and an 80-yard TD reception in the same game. Warren averages 5.9 yards per carry and leads the Steelers in both rushing and receiving. Pat Freiermuth caught two TD passes from Rodgers, while Germie Bernard set career highs with six receptions and 80 yards.
The Steelers face several injuries. Wide receivers Michael Pittman, Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek are out, while DK Metcalf is questionable after missing Friday practice with an illness. Chris Boswell has missed three field goals this season, and Pittsburgh's kickoff return average of 22.7 yards sits more than three yards below the league mark. Danny Smith, a 32-year NFL coach who spent 13 seasons as Pittsburgh's special teams coordinator, now works for Tampa Bay.
Source: CBS Sports - Sat Oct 17, 11:51 AM ET
Written by the SportsMafia Wire desk in our own words from the original reporting (AI-assisted, checked against the source).