Steelers vs. Buccaneers: Tampa Bay offense not a solo act

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a tough task ahead of them on Monday night, and these Tampa Bay Buccaneers are more than quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Admittedly, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a franchise that has fooled many a few times over the last decade or so. The Buccaneers have not been to the playoffs since then-head coach Jon Gruden led the team to a 9-7 finish and won the NFC South in 2007. Gruden was dismissed after a 9-7 season in 2008 and over the next nine seasons Raheem Morris (17-31), Greg Schiano (11-21), Lovie Smith (8-24) and Dirk Koetter (14-18) combined for a 50-94 record.

Of course, there were high expectations entering 2017 after Koetter’s squad won eight of its final 12 games to finish 9-7 and in second place in the division. There was more than one person who felt that the strong stretch run would be a sign of things to come.

But it wasn’t meant to be as the club suffered through a pair of five-game losing streaks during the year. A season-ending home win over the New Orleans Saints did very little to take the sting out of a 5-11 campaign. Tampa was the only team in the division not to have a winning record as well as not qualify for the post season in ‘17.

But that’s ancient history. The Bucs are off to a 2-0 start this season, and a somewhat-surprising one at that. When the news broke in late June that starting quarterback James Winston would be suspended by the league for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, gloom and doom was the forecast for this club. And that despite the fact that during the offseason general manager Jason Licht worked hard to rectify to the team’s biggest issues: the running game and a pass rush.

Meanwhile, the team has rallied around quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is in his second year with the franchise. And the journeyman signal-caller, who has played for seven organization since entering the league as a seventh-round choice of the then-St. Louis Rams in 2005, has put up mind-boggling numbers in the first two weeks of the season. He’s hit on a combined 48-of-61 throws (78.7 percent) for 819 yards and eight scores compared to only one interceptions.

Fitzpatrick is not only taking advantage of the Bucs’ skill people, he has gotten superb protection from the men up front. The veteran hurler has been sacked only twice in two games. Meanwhile, the trifecta of wide receivers Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson and Chris Godwin and tight end O.J. Howard have teamed for 39 grabs, 752 yards and all eight scores.

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And while the running game has not put up big numbers in terms of yards, Peyton Barber (35 carries for 91 yards) and even Fitzpatrick have done their best to keep defenses off-balance.

Yes, the 14-year signal-caller is making it all work. In the Week 1 surprise of the defending NFC South champion New Orleans Saints at the Superdome, Fitzpatrick threw for 417 yards and four touchdowns in a 48-40 victory. Seven days later at home, the 35-year old performer totaled 402 yards through the air and four more touchdowns (one interception) in a 27-21 triumph over the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

Let’s take a look at what you need to know from this game.

TV and Game Info

Date: Monday, Sept. 24
Start Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Tampa, FL
Stadium: Raymond James Stadium
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN, FuboTV

On Monday night in front of the home folks, Koetter’s team takes on a hungry Pittsburgh Steelers’ team. And if Mike Tomlin’s defense performs as it has in its first two games this season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could thrive once again. But make no mistake. There’s a lot of talent on this team, especially on the offensive side of the ball. And that means more than just Fitzpatrick.