Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Picks, Predictions, Odds

Michael Crosson Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

Week 6 of the NFL season will resume on Sunday afternoon with what’s expected to be a lopsided non-conference battle between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. Coverage begins from Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX.

Updated on 12/25/2024

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TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS vs. PITTSBURGH STEELERS BETTING PREDICTION

The Buccaneers’ offense couldn’t gain any traction in the first few weeks of the season, as Tom Brady and co. scored 20 PTS or less in three straight matchups against the Cowboys, Saints, and Packers to open (17 PPG, 297 YPG), despite escaping with a modest record of 2-1 in those contests. However, the Bucs’ offense cranked up the heat a bit in their ensuing two affairs, as Tampa Bay scored 26 PPG on 398 YPG in matchups against the Falcons and Chiefs in Weeks 4 and 5, but that number is slightly inflated by a double-digit loss to Kansas City in which Tampa scored 31 PTS in.

The Steelers, on the other hand, are also having their share of struggles on the offensive side of the ball to start the year, as Mike Tomlin’s squad averaged just 15.4 PPG on 296 YPG and turned the ball over nine times across a 1-4 skid to open the season, with their highest scoring output thus far coming in a Week 1 overtime win over the Bengals (W, 23-20 OT).

I’ll take the under here, as both of these offenses scored 21 PTS or less in four of their first five matchups, with Tampa Bay currently averaging 20.6 PPG and Pittsburgh averaging 15.4 PPG, so we’ll probably see a hard-fought defensive battle between a Bucs’ defense that’s surrendered 15 PTS or less in four-of-five contests to open the year, and a Steelers’ defense that allowed just 20.5 PPG in their first two home contests.

Score Prediction: Buccaneers 24, Steelers 17
Best Bet: Under 44 (-110)

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS vs. PITTSBURGH STEELERS BETTING ODDS

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TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS vs. PITTSBURGH STEELERS BETTING RESOURCES

Date: Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022
Matchup: NFC South vs. AFC North
Venue: Acrisure Stadium
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Time-TV: FOX, 1:00 p.m. ET

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS BETTING ANALYSIS

The Buccaneers won the NFC South with a record of 13-4 last season, which tied Green Bay for the top spot in the conference, marking Tampa Bay’s first division title since 2007 under head coach Jon Gruden and QB Jeff Garcia. However, the Bucs’ postseason journey came to a screeching halt with a 30-27 loss to the Rams in the Divisional Round.

The Bucs ultimately came up short in last year’s playoffs, but make no mistake, this is still one of the most dangerous squads in the league at full strength, and they deservedly boast the fourth-best Super Bowl odds after finishing top seven in scoring on both sides of the ball last season. Their offense was just banged up early, and we’re finally starting to see the results of their overall health improving, highlighted by the Bucs’ scoring 21+ PTS in back-to-back contests in Weeks 4 and 5.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS BETTING ANALYSIS

The Steelers were the heaviest moneyline-underdog to pull off an upset in the opening week of the season, as Mike Tomlin’s squad cashed +240 ML tickets with a stunning 23-20 OT road victory over the Bengals back in Week 1.

However, things have been much more difficult for their defense without the presence of T.J. Watt, highlighted by the Steelers surrendering 24+ PTS in three-of-four matchups since Watt’s injury (27 PPG).

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS vs. PITTSBURGH STEELERS BETTING TRENDS

• The Bucs are 2-4 ATS in their last six games.
• The Steelers are 1-4-1 ATS in their last six games.
• The total has gone UNDER in four of Tampa Bay's last five games.
• The Steelers are 1-5 SU in their last six games.
• The Bucs are 11-4 SU in their last 15 games.
• The total has gone UNDER in five of Pittsburgh's last six home games.
• The Bucs are 1-5 ATS in their last six games against Pittsburgh.
• The Bucs are 1-5 SU in their last six games against Pittsburgh.
• The Bucs are 6-0 SU in their last six road games.

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Michael Crosson

Michael Crosson began his time at VegasInsider as a freelance NBA writer back in 2019 while he continued to study Psychology and Biology at James Madison University. Following his graduation in 2021, Michael joined the team full-time, and he's been with VI ever since. Michael still writes NBA, NFL, and MLB for VI, as well as gambling industry news. He's also become a crucial part of our editorial production team. More from Michael Crosson