Pittsburgh Steelers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Final Score: Steelers 26, Buccaneers 19 (OT)
Writer: Pranav Babarjung
Three Up
- Germie Bernard — The rookie blew up in this contest with double-digit receptions and a score.
- DK Metcalf — Bernard’s veteran counterpart had a double-digit reception day of his own.
- Emeka Egbuka — Absolutely dominated Buccaneers targets, even though he had little to show for it in terms of yards.
Three Down
- Bucky Irving — The offensive line proves to be a liability, with Irving getting stopped for a loss way too often.
- Jaylen Warren — Rico Dowdle‘s return definitely ate into Warren’s workload despite coach Mike McCarthy‘s comments after the previous game.
- Cade Otton — Otton only saw two targets on a day where Jalon Daniels passed 43 times.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers: 33/49, 253 Yards, 2 TDs, INT | 1 Carry, -1 Yard
It was looking to be a disappointing day for Rodgers managers. He threw an interception in the first quarter (deflected by a man in his face) and was held to almost nothing through the first three. He overthrew DK Metcalf on what would have been a long touchdown and simply didn’t look like himself. The fourth quarter came around and something changed. Rodgers started slinging the rock with confidence and led four straight scoring drives to take the lead, even while taking three sacks. He came out in overtime and ate up 6 minutes, 45 seconds on the way to a second passing touchdown.
Running Back
Jaylen Warren: 14 Carries, 50 Yards | 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 28 Yards
Warren came back down to earth after last week’s game in the face of a tough Tampa Bay run D. He racked up only 78 yards from scrimmage and ceded a not insignificant portion of touches to Rico Dowdle in his first game back. He had a carry at the 3-yard line but was stopped at the 1 and didn’t convert.
Rico Dowdle: 7 Carries, 40 Yards | 4 Targets, 3 Receptions, 9 Yards
Dowdle’s first game back from injury yielded more work than I expected. He was outcarried by Warren, but matched him in targets and ended up with more receptions. In the overtime touchdown drive, he was the red zone back, so it looks like they’ll both get work in the area.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
DK Metcalf: 15 Targets, 11 Receptions, 93 Yards
Metcalf posts his best fantasy showing of the year with crazy volume. Rodgers seems to go through phases where he locks in on his favorite target and both Metcalf and Germie Bernard had a turn in this game. Both benefited from playing from behind for most of the game (read: fourth quarter). Rodgers overthrew him on what would have been a 37-yard touchdown before they got it going. Metcalf also had an end zone target from the 1-yard line but wasn’t able to overcome 5-foot-10 Jacob Parrish to score.
Germie Bernard: 12 Targets, 11 Receptions, 87 Yards, TD
Bernard is looking to be the best waiver pickup of the year. Passing Rodgers’ quiz earned him 11 receptions on 12 targets and the six-yard overtime touchdown. This passing attack is just so concentrated with all the injuries to the wide receiver corps. With Michael Pittman Jr., Roman Wilson, and Ben Skowronek all missing extended time, Bernard is a strong WR2 play.
Darnell Washington: 6 Targets, 4 Receptions, 25 Yards, TD
Washington nabbed a wide open touchdown on the first drive of the fourth quarter. He should see increased volume as long as Pat Freiermuth is hindered by his calf injury.
Pat Freiermuth: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 11 Yards
‘Muth was questionable coming into the week and it showed. He saw minimal volume and left the field in pain more than once.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Jalon Daniels: 22/43, 164 Yards, TD, 2 INTs | 4 Carries, 39 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, -3 Yards
Daniels played this game fast and loose with the ball. It was working for a little bit, yielding an Emeka Egbuka touchdown. The offensive line collapsed around him on what felt like every other play, evident in the five sacks and nine hits he took. This style of play was just not sustainable, as he ended the game with two interceptions (and could have easily been more). Every pass was behind the intended receiver late in the game, causing an abysmal string of drives (punt, interception, punt, interception) to let Pittsburgh get back in the game. Daniels did lead a game-tying field goal drive to end the fourth, but that was mostly the work of one long pass to Ted Hurst III. 164 Yards off 43 passing attempts is just ridiculously inefficient.
Running Back
Bucky Irving: 19 Carries, 46 Yards | 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 3 Yards
After last week’s fireworks against Dallas, Bucky put up a much tamer performance this week. Behind a Swiss cheese offensive line that gave up 11 tackles-for-loss, he struggled. He didn’t even redeem himself with receiving work, but he was the back in the two-minute drill and in overtime.
Kenny Gainwell: 2 Carries, 17 Yards | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 7 Yards
Gainwell only saw three touches in this contest and got most of his yardage from one 14-yard run.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Emeka Egbuka: 16 Targets, 7 Receptions, 48 Yards, TD
Egbuka saw just an insane amount of volume in this contest, doubling up the targets of the next most targeted receiver. Even with this volume, he logged only 48 yards. He had some drops, most of which were thrown behind him but were still catchable. The volume alone is what keeps Egbuka startable with Daniels under center.
Ted Hurst III: 6 Targets, 3 Receptions, 40 Yards
Hurst got most of his production on a 22-yard reception late in the fourth to set up the game-tying field goal. He also saw an unsuccessful end zone target in the third quarter.
Chris Godwin Jr. : 8 Targets, 4 Receptions, 37 Yards
Godwin was the second-leading target in this contest, but also had little to show for it. His first quarter drop would have resulted in a fresh set of downs in the red zone. Half his targets came in the first quarter and he saw no end zone targets.
Bauer Sharp: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 21 Yards
Tez Johnson: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 7 Yards
Cade Otton: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 4 Yards