Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 18, 2026, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Network: CBS
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers: SIT, QB2 (Startable in Superflex)
Aaron Rodgers has had a Lazarus-esque resurgance over his last three games, throwing three tuddys in three straight. I’d still prefer not to start him in a bottom 10 matchup in a game that could wind up with a sub-40 implied game total. But it’s enough for me to be warming to the idea of him as a second QB for Super Flex leagues and the occasional starter in the right matchups.
Running Back
Jaylen Warren: START, RB1
Rico Dowdle: SIT
Travis Homer: SIT
The expected return of Rico Dowdle isn’t enough to shy me away from ranking Jaylen Warren as an easy RB1 despite the difficult matchup against Tampa. The Bucs are holding opposing running backs to 3.4 yards per carry (second-fewest), but Warren is averaging over 150 total offensive yards in his last three and was named the Week 5 Offensive Player of the Week. When asked about the backfield split with Dowdle’s return, Head Coach Mike McCarthy said, “Jaylen’s our featured player right now”. Until we see otherwise, consider Warren the unquestioned starter.
Wide Receiver
DK Metcalf: START, WR3
Germie Bernard: FLEX, WR4
Roman Wilson: OUT
DK Metcalf is what he is. A volatile boom/bust play who you’re hoping hits a home run. Considering the implied point total and Metcalf averaging fewer than four catches per game, the chances of that happening are slim to none. The increased target totals for waiver darling Germie Bernard were also nice, but I’d like to see it replicated before we start him. Add, but don’t start outside of deep leagues.
Tight End
Pat Freiermuth: tHe gLoB
The Bucs are a solid tight end matchup, allowing over 60 yards per game to the position. Pat Freiermuth has 32.2 fantasy points over the past two games, but that’s heavily dependent on touchdowns. tHe gLoB is still tHe gLob even with three touchdowns in two games.
Defense/Special Teams
Pittsburgh Steelers: START
My DST1 this week. Tampa ranks inside the top five in both sacks taken and turnovers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield: OUT
Jalon Daniels: SIT
Baker Mayfield has yet to resume throwing and is almost certainly out at least one more game. Jalon Daniels doesn’t have enough rushing production to consider him even a desperation FLEX play against the Steelers, who allow the second-fewest points to the position and yet to allow a rushing touchdown to a QB.
Running Back
Bucky Irving: START, RB2
Kenny Gainwell: FLEX, RB4
Sean Tucker: SIT
It’s Week 6, and Bucky Irving is still averaging nearly 20 opportunities per game. I’d say that’s enough of a sample size to put his sophomore slump of a season in the rearview. He’s averaging 5.3 yards per carry paired with a 9.1% explosive run rate. The cherry on top is the matchup with a Steelers team allowing 40 receiving yards per game to the position, and Irving averages three catches per game. Irving remains a high-end RB2.
Wide Receiver
Emeka Egbuka: FLEX, WR3
Chris Godwin Jr: FLEX, WR4
Ted Hurst III: SIT
As talented as the duo of Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. are, Jalon Daniels and his 6.0 average depth of target make both barely playable FLEX options. The Steelers have given up just two touchdowns to wide receivers all year.
Tight End
Cade Otton: SIT
Cade Otton plays the most snaps of any tight end (94%) yet averages 7.2 fantasy points per game.
Defense/Special Teams
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: SIT
Tampa Ba-rel-y averages a sack per game.