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Buccaneers vs. Steelers takeaways: Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh defense fuel historic overtime comeback

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After trailing by 13 points through three quarters, the Steelers roared back in the fourth and recorded a 26-19 overtime win over the Buccaneers. The win was Pittsburgh's largest comeback entering the fourth quarter since 1992. 

The Steelers took the lead in overtime when Aaron Rodgers hit Germie Bernard on a six-yard touchdown pass with 3:15 left. Pittsburgh sealed the win moments later when Jalen Ramsey blitzed and sacked Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels on fourth down. 

Tampa Bay led 13-3 at halftime and 16-3 through three quarters. The Steelers came alive in the final 15 minutes with 13 unanswered points. Two of Pittsburgh's three fourth-quarter scores were set up by interceptions. Rookie Daylen Everette's first career pick led to a game-tying field goal, and former Buccaneer Jamel Dean's first interception as a Steeler set up Chris Boswell's go-ahead field goal with 1:21 left. 

Tampa Bay forced overtime when Chase McLaughlin drilled a 53-yard goal with eight seconds left in regulation. Completions of 22 and 13 yards from Daniels to Ted Hurst set up McLaughlin's game-tying field goal. 

Pittsburgh received major contributions from Bernard and DK Metcalf, who both caught 11 passes. Bernard's overtime score was his first NFL touchdown. Metcalf caught several clutch passes during the Steelers' comeback that included a big third-down conversion in overtime. 

The Steelers improve to 4-2 after winning back-to-back games for the first time. The Buccaneers are now 1-5. 

Turning point 

Pittsburgh's comeback started on the first play of the fourth quarter. Facing a third-and-8, Rodgers found Metcalf and built momentum. The conversion set up Rodgers' short touchdown pass to Darnell Washington, cutting Pittsburgh's deficit to 16-10 with 13:48 left.   

Metcalf came alive in the second half. After catching just two passes for 11 yards in the first half, Metcalf finished the game with 93 yards on 11 catches. 

Ball-hawking secondary 

Pittsburgh's plan on defense was to put pressure on Daniels, who was making his third career start. The Steelers sought to either sack Daniels or force him into making mistakes. Pittsburgh sacked Daniels three times in the first half, but he avoided making any big mistakes. That changed, however, in the fourth quarter, when he threw picks to Everette and Dean. 

Everette's pick was a byproduct of pressure on Daniels that was applied by cagey veteran Cameron Heyward. Everette's role has been elevated this season due to Joey Porter Jr.'s injury and subsequent trade to the Cowboys. 

Daniels received plenty of protection on his second pick; it was simply an overthrow that Dean plucked out of the air and returned to the Buccaneers' 3-yard line. The pick set up Boswell's go-ahead field goal. 

Steelers offense delivers in OT 

While they struggled for the majority of the game (including on their last two drives of regulation), the Steelers' offense put together their most impressive drive of the game -- and possibly the season -- after taking the ball to start overtime. 

After moving exclusively through the air in the fourth quarter, the Steelers went back to running backs Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle in overtime. Warren, the reigning AFC Offensive Player of the Week, had 25 yards on the drive that included an impressive 12-yard catch-and-run that moved Pittsburgh into field goal range. 

Dowdle picked up Pittsburgh's final first down of the drive before Rodgers hit Bernard for the game-winning score. 

Steel Curtain delivers 

Pittsburgh's defense had two chances to win the game in overtime. They weren't able to cash in on their first opportunity after Daniels scampered for 10 yards on a fourth-and-9 play. 

The Steelers' defense came through six plays later when Ramsey -- who made a similar game-winning play against the Jets in last year's season-opener-- raced in and sacked Daniels. 

Ramsey's sack capped off an impressive day for Pittsburgh's defense. The Steelers held the Buccaneers to 224 yards and 6-of-19 on third down (and 1-for-2 on fourth down). They sacked Daniels five times and held Bucky Irving, who just ran for a career-high 165 yards against the Cowboys, to 46 yards on 19 carries. 

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WATCH: Jalen Ramsey clinches Steelers OT win with big sack

 
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Steelers win!

Ramsey blitzes and smashes Daniels, sealing the Steelers 26-19 win! Great effort by both teams, but Steelers prevail and record their biggest fourth quarter comeback since 1992. 

October 18, 2026, 8:44 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 4:44 pm EDT
 
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Bucs face another fourth down

Wilson breaks up Daniels' third-down throw, so it's fourth-and-8 again for Tampa Bay. 

October 18, 2026, 8:42 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 4:42 pm EDT
 
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Daniels converts!

Daniels runs and gets just enough yards for the first down at the 2-minute warning! Incredible run by Daniels, who got absolutely drilled by Payton Wilson right at the sticks. Bucs have one timeout and 62 yards to travel. 

October 18, 2026, 8:39 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 4:39 pm EDT
 
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Here we go

Bucs face a fourth-and-9 from their own 27. They miss, Steelers win. They convert, OT continues. 

October 18, 2026, 8:37 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 4:37 pm EDT
 
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TD!

Rodgers hits Germie Bernard for his first career TD. It gives the Steelers a 26-19 lead with 3:15 left in OT. Not hyperbole; that was the most impressive Steelers drive of the season so far. 

October 18, 2026, 8:32 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 4:32 pm EDT
 
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Rico gets a first down

Dowdle bursts through the middle of Tampa's defense for another first down. Buccaneers need to start worrying about time. There's four minutes left and the Steelers are inside the Buccaneers' 10. 

October 18, 2026, 8:31 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 4:31 pm EDT
 
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Warren gets another first down

Warren picks up another first down on a seven-yard run. Steelers now in the red zone with 5:37 left. 

October 18, 2026, 8:29 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 4:29 pm EDT
 
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Warren!

Warren catches a short pass and makes a series of spin moves to give the Steelers a first down in FG range. Warren slipped out at the last second and Rodgers spotted him. 

October 18, 2026, 8:28 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 4:28 pm EDT
 
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Metcalf!

Metcalf comes through with a first down catch on third-and-13. Steelers have a first down past their 40-yard-line. Steelers continue to rely entirely on Rodgers' arm. Pittsburgh has had just 18 carries today and eight after halftime. 

October 18, 2026, 8:23 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 4:23 pm EDT
 
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WATCH: Steelers D creates last-minute intercept to set up clutch field goal

 
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OT!

McLaughlin drills a 53-yarder with eight seconds left. The Steelers will get the ball to start overtime. 

October 18, 2026, 8:18 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 4:18 pm EDT
 
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Herbig!

Nick Herbig sacks Daniels on second down, knocking Tampa Bay out of FG range and forcing them to burn their final timeout. TB facing a third-and-17 on Steelers' 48 with 40 seconds left. 

October 18, 2026, 8:10 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 4:10 pm EDT
 
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Steelers take the lead

Another odd drive by the Steelers, who aren't able to score a TD from three yards out. They are able to get a FG from Boswell that gives Pittsburgh a 19-16 lead with 1:21 left. Buccaneers only used a timeout on that drive. 

October 18, 2026, 8:07 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 4:07 pm EDT
 
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Dean!

Jamel Dean -- a former Buccaneer -- picks off Daniels and runs it back to the Buccaneers' 3-yard-line. Steelers in position to take the lead with 1:38 left. 

October 18, 2026, 8:04 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 4:04 pm EDT
 
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Steelers tie it up

Boswell's do-over is also good. Steelers are trying to mount their largest fourth quarter comeback since 1992 but to do that, they'll need to stop the Buccaneers' offense in the game's final 1:55. Bucs have two timeouts left. 

October 18, 2026, 8:00 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 4:00 pm EDT
 
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Boswell "iced" by clock!

Boswell made a 58-yard FG, but it won't count as the 2-minute warning had already happened. The FG was made longer after Rodgers took a sack on third down that moved the ball from the 31 to the 40. Pittsburgh's offense wasn't in sync at all on this drive. 

October 18, 2026, 7:57 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 3:57 pm EDT
 
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Metcalf draws DPI

Refs bail Metcalf out on third-and-5. Metcalf was tripped but the ball wasn't catchable at all. Either way, Steelers get a first down in Buccaneers territory. 

October 18, 2026, 7:53 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 3:53 pm EDT
 
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Steelers force a quick punt

Pittsburgh takes over at its own 23 with 7:03 left, down three points. 

The Steelers have moved exclusively through the air this half. Would think they'll try to mix it up more here given the longer field. 

October 18, 2026, 7:49 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 3:49 pm EDT
 
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Steelers make it a 16-13 game

Steelers make it a three-point game with 8:08 left. With that, Boswell has made the most FGs of any player in Steelers history. That was one was set up by Everette's pick. 

Steelers now need a defensive stop to give Rodgers and Co. enough time to get back into FG range. 

October 18, 2026, 7:42 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 3:42 pm EDT
 
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Penalty wipes out a first down

Steelers convert on third-and-16, but an illegal shift on Darnell Washington wipes it out. 

October 18, 2026, 7:41 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 3:41 pm EDT
 
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Rodgers!

Rodgers evades traffic and hits Warren for a first down on third-and-10. That was vintage Rodgers, who has completed 10 straight passes. 

Steelers trail 16-10 with 10 minutes left. 

October 18, 2026, 7:38 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 3:38 pm EDT
 
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Pick!

Daylen Everette picks off Daniels on third down. Steelers quickly move back downfield after Rodgers hits Metcalf for 17 yards. 

That was Everette's first career INT. 

October 18, 2026, 7:36 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 3:36 pm EDT
 
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Steelers get on the board

Rodgers hits Washington for a short TD. Steelers now trail 16-10 with 13:38 to play. 

The Steelers' score was set up by Metcalf's gritty 17-yard catch on third-and-16. Every play on that drive was a pass. 

Bernard has been a stud with 81 yards on nine catches. 

October 18, 2026, 7:29 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 3:29 pm EDT
 
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DK comes through

Rodgers hits Metcalf for 17 yards on third-and-16. First down for the Steelers on the Bucs' 30. Metcalf took a shot but he held onto the ball. Steelers about to get 15 more yards for roughing the passer. First down on Buccaneers' 15. 

October 18, 2026, 7:25 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 3:25 pm EDT
 
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Bucs lead 16-3 after three

The Steelers gained less than 20 yards that quarter yet are still technically in this game. One major issue has been their lack of big plays. Rodgers hasn't been on the same page with Metcalf, and the Steelers' running game has struggled to consistently gain yards. 

October 18, 2026, 7:23 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 3:23 pm EDT
 
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Steelers on the move

Bernard's eighth catch (a new career high) gives the Steelers a first down in Bucs territory. He's been the Steelers' best wideout the last two weeks. 

Davis Walker sacks Rodgers for a loss of 10 on the next play. The Steelers have lost their offensive identity. No runs so far on this drive. The Bucs anticipated another pass and weren't fooled by the play action. 

October 18, 2026, 7:20 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 3:20 pm EDT
 
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Bucs extend lead to 16-3

Steelers defense stands tall in the red zone, holding the Buccaneers to a FG. Pittsburgh couldn't afford to give up a TD there. 

Can the Steelers' offense do something, though? The margin of error is thin. The Steelers have had success on the ground, but they haven't been able to sustain any of their drives. Their receiving corps is once again an issue. 

October 18, 2026, 7:06 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 3:06 pm EDT
 
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Bucs in red zone

Tampa Bay's first drive of the half has lasted over half the quarter. The Buccaneers are a whopping 4 of 4 on third down on this drive. 

October 18, 2026, 7:00 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 3:00 pm EDT
 
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McCarthy injured

Mike McCarthy never went to the locker room at halftime. He spent it in the medical tent after injuring his leg when he was walking off the field at the end of the half. 

October 18, 2026, 6:47 PM
Oct. 18, 2026, 2:47 pm EDT
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