2022 NFL picks, score predictions for Week 6

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (1-4)

Sunday, October 16, 1:00 PM ET

After consecutive losses to the Packers and Chiefs, the Buccaneers and Tom Brady got back on the board with a much-needed win this past week against the Atlanta Falcons. It was much-needed, but it wasn’t overly impressive. The Buccaneers appear to be sleepwalking offensively and there are probably a variety of layers as far as the reasons why.

First and foremost, how could Tom Brady not at least be a little bit distracted about what’s going on right now in his personal life? Second, it seems like Rob Gronkowski really does make that much of a difference. Third, the Bucs are just not healthy on that side of the ball and the offensive line is not as good this year without some key players there. They are dead last this year in rushing (yards per carry) and defensively they’ve been susceptible once teams get inside the red zone.

Despite it all, the Bucs have an apparent walk in the park here on Sunday afternoon with a trip to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers, who were absolutely blown out of the water by the Bills this past weekend. I’m not sure that’s the kind of Steelers team we can expect to see the rest of the way this year, but it certainly makes this game an easy one to pick.

As quickly as my mind said “Buccaneers” for this matchup, it then seemed a little too easy. The Bucs don’t strike the same fear as they would have last year but the Steelers are lucky to not be 0-5 right now. Other than simply thinking something weird might happen in this game, I can’t think of any reasons why you should pick the Steelers to win.

Prediction: Steelers win 27-26