Steelers 30, Buccaneers 27
September 24th, 2018
Photo from Steelers.com
What a wild freak show that was — and Joe’s not talking about the crappy officiating and the 20,000-plus Steelers fans that infested the Den of Depression tonight.
Bucs fans got their first taste of bad Ryan Fitzpatrick and good Fitzpatrick in the same darn game. He clearly got rattled early by a physical/dirty Steelers team with a ferocious first-half pass rush that led to three picks and 30 points for the men in black.
Fitz calmed down and made great throws and strong runs after that but it wasn’t enough, even with the defense shutting out Pittsburgh in the second half.
Don’t get Joe started on the Bucs pass defense. Even with an overall solid run defense and an intermittent pass rush showing up for Tampa Bay, the Bucs couldn’t stop Ben Roethlisberger from a 79 percent completion rate and 353 yards.
Man, what a kick in the groin the Isaiah Johnson penalty was that erased the DeSean Jackson punt return for a touchdown with 8:40 remaining in the fourth quarter. Perhaps Johnson was still woozy from running into the end zone wall when he lost his bearings in the second quarter.
Vintage Roethlisberger late as he shed Gerald McCoy for a crushing first-down throw before the two-minute warning.
The Bucs showed a ton of heart tonight but also exposed all their weaknesses.
Take a deep breath, Bucs fans. Tampa Bay remains in first place in the NFC South, tied with Carolina and New Orleans at 2-1.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:34 pm
McCoy SUCKS
September 24th, 2018 at 11:35 pm
It’s not all on the defense. Too many turnovers, and too many mistakes on offense contributed to this loss. Those three picks could have been TDs or FGs, which would have made a huge difference in the end.
The defense was on the field a lot. They had to be tired.
On a side note: I hate the Roughing the Passer rules now. A ton of sacks are getting penalties.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:35 pm
Ryan Smith MVP of the defense
Didn’t hear his name all night
September 24th, 2018 at 11:36 pm
Take a deep breath before going back to the gutter.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:36 pm
Did Spence play a snap? I didn’t hear his name called all night.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:36 pm
Thank God Jameis will be our QB next week
Thanks for the first two games Fitz but you showed us why you are the back up.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:36 pm
McCoy and the defense are TURRIBLE
September 24th, 2018 at 11:37 pm
GMC can never make a play when we need him the most.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:37 pm
That penalty on the DeSean Jackson should’ve been punt return TD is what killed them. Johnson should be released tomorrow
September 24th, 2018 at 11:37 pm
As usual GMC never shows up when needed
September 24th, 2018 at 11:37 pm
Where was ROJO? OHNO!!
September 24th, 2018 at 11:38 pm
Pittsburgh out coached Koetter
September 24th, 2018 at 11:38 pm
ATrain, McCoy played lights put. So did JPP.
In fact, the DLine was not that bad. Keep in mind, the new rules have DLines unsure of what is legal and what is not. Still, McCoy almost had Ben at the end there.
He’s got a sack in 2 of 3 games. That puts him on pace for 12 sacks.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:38 pm
THE WORST DEFENSE IN THE nfl lived up to its billing and mccoy thanks for showing up
September 24th, 2018 at 11:39 pm
Start Winston maybe the team rally’s behind him. If not Fitztragic drop another one in Chicago and we are 2-2 with no momentum. Those 2 great wins in the beginning turn to dust.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:39 pm
Grimes looked like a liability and every bit of 35 tonight.
Should have taken the 8-9 mil we used to resign him and used it to sign Trumaine Johnson. Guy was straight garbage.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:39 pm
Isaiah Johnson should be cut. That cost us the game. Godwin’s fumble, and the gafde’s that led to INTs. The pick to Rodgers was a bad throw by Fitz.
Jason Licht- where was Adrian Perterson this offseason or last? Why does the 37th overall pick not get to play much less dress on game days? Is he any good? Did you goof up and why are you always a year behind on fixing a position? Last year it was CB and two years ago WR. This year it’s RB.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:39 pm
And, our defense plays too soft in the middle
September 24th, 2018 at 11:39 pm
GMC is always invisible in big game moments.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:39 pm
GMC is a cancer on defense
September 24th, 2018 at 11:39 pm
Is Barber an actual NFL RB yet?
September 24th, 2018 at 11:39 pm
Amazing how quickly fans forgot Koetter was not calling the plays.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:39 pm
Team is garbage-
Grow a defense
September 24th, 2018 at 11:39 pm
FIRE MIKE SMITH!!!!!
September 24th, 2018 at 11:39 pm
Also, that holding penalty that occurred literally 60 yards away from the play, was so cancer It makes me wanna sue the NFL for rigging games.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:39 pm
I said it then and I’ll say it now. We were foolish to punt when we could’ve attempted a 53 yard field goal in the first quarter. Coach had to know this game was going to be a shootout. Get all the points you can!
September 24th, 2018 at 11:40 pm
Yep the defense can’t win with 4 to and also taking sacks in the end zone that could have a turn into a fg so yea it’s not all on the defense
September 24th, 2018 at 11:40 pm
Got mauled like Conte
September 24th, 2018 at 11:40 pm
Talk about the worst MNF broadcast team ever.
Felt like a DII College game.
I’d rather watch Dennis Miller & Denis Leary in the booth, with Dennis Rodman on the sidelines.
Crap!
September 24th, 2018 at 11:40 pm
Candy azz McCoy
Sapp wouldn’t let that happen
September 24th, 2018 at 11:41 pm
Conte got punked!
You just made the Cance McDonald career highlight.
Why didn’t conte go for his legs? It’s like he asked to get punked.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:41 pm
That was an AFC opponent. Not as important as a division loss. Hold your head high Bucs. The field was a factor.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:41 pm
Did Noah Presence wow us all or what?
September 24th, 2018 at 11:42 pm
Eh… mistakes were many…
Grimes is tonight’s culprit for me…Conte with an un-honorable mention
Damn
September 24th, 2018 at 11:42 pm
Ready to see how this team responds after this loss on road vs Bears.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:42 pm
Okay, so Ryan Fitzpatrick…
…coming into this game, I could see him starting the Bears game. Now? I think he opened the door to losing that opportunity. I think that how he and Winston do in practice this week will determine who starts.
And I fully expect Koetter to avoid making an announcement until last moment, just to gain an edge.
Jay Glazer put his story out there, gambling that he would be right…but he was smart enough to add a condition.
Fitz throwing three picks! Who would have guessed????
Oh yeah…I did.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:42 pm
Koetter is the HC
….. Pittsburgh out coached Tampa….
September 24th, 2018 at 11:42 pm
Bonzai
Elite Players make the Big Plays
McCoy is supposed to be Elite
He is paid Elite
So he has to make the sack when it is a must
I only heard his name once tonight
When he did Sorry Ben
Elite means you make a difference when it counts
September 24th, 2018 at 11:43 pm
Well the Bucs loss to Mike Smith and the Steelers… smh. Conte needs to be replaced. Stop having guys off beyond the first down marker for once. Of course AB scored on a 3rd and 6 with Grimes 8 yards off. This is ridiculous.
Also get Leveon Bell. Our RBs sucks and they aren’t used right. What’s up with sweeps instead of going north and south?
September 24th, 2018 at 11:43 pm
Thank God Jameis will be our QB next week
Thanks for the first two games Fitz but you showed us why you are the back up.
Complete moron comment
September 24th, 2018 at 11:43 pm
Fitz will start again
September 24th, 2018 at 11:43 pm
Please start Winston next week.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:43 pm
Yeah USF can stop playing ganes at Ray Jay any decade now…
September 24th, 2018 at 11:43 pm
Winston please! Awesome job keeping the spot warm fitz but its time dor winston. I understand not until after the bye. But please Winston back in.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:44 pm
I excuse Grimes. He was rusty. He;s allowed a bad game.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:44 pm
Officiating was stupid. The biggest fail was the most obvious hold on the Steelers first first down on the last drive. Thats the difference between us getting the ball back and game over.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:44 pm
Good. Maybe we can all stop being crazy and let Winston start. We shouldn’t have a young number 1 pick sit the bench for a career backup that is about to retire. Maybe it was our new offensive playcaller. The league wasn’t prepared for him. Tebow or rg3 would have those same inflated that Fitz had. He wasn’t throwing bombs. He threw 15 yards to wide open top teir receivers that ran 75 yards for a touchdown. Anyone can do that
September 24th, 2018 at 11:44 pm
Keep press coverage with the rooks
September 24th, 2018 at 11:44 pm
Nope
Fitz will start
September 24th, 2018 at 11:44 pm
But Joe I thought this was the year that Batman was going to put it all together. That’s what we were told. Instead of him show boating in the middle of the field praying he should be playing the game.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:44 pm
So I’m assuming I’m not the only one that saw McCoy pull his arm back on a half ass effort on that last third down completion !!! What a fake , he clearly didn’t want to make the play or hurt his arm !!!! This guy , this McCoy is an actor more than a football player .
How does Mike Smith cash his check and sleep at night !!!!
September 24th, 2018 at 11:45 pm
He also threw for 400+ yard and 3 TD’s not all of the picks were his fault. Oh and he broke another NFL record…
September 24th, 2018 at 11:45 pm
Penalties at the wrong time, turnovers and no defense. But great effort in the face of adversity.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:45 pm
Grimes looked his age out there…. His name was toast tonight
September 24th, 2018 at 11:45 pm
Team fought hard but they got that a** beat-up.
Short week after a pounding…
Gotta step up before the bye.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:45 pm
Seems like the sky is falling for a lot of “fans” here.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:45 pm
Sapp wouldn’t let that happen?? Lol ok, another living in the past. Might as well say Conte sucks too.. Lynch wouldn’t have let aTE punk him like a girl in the sidelines. Feel nostalgic now?
September 24th, 2018 at 11:46 pm
Like Godwin but he played a huge part in this loss.
Fitzmagic showed up too late, first INT not on him the others were
This defense made Big Ben look like Super Bowl 43 Big Ben and a nobody RB look like LeVeon Bell
Koetter is gutless
Mike Evans easily best player on the team
Not sure who they’ll start next week, but I hope he plays well. Don’t think Jameis would’ve done much better he’s a losing QB as well. We’ll see
Ryan Smith not being mentioned is great while Brent Grimes turning into Sabby Piscitelli is not so great.
NFL needs to ditch the roughing the passer BS or there might be a real boycott to deal with
That is all
September 24th, 2018 at 11:46 pm
Conte left game with a bruised ego. Wow. Embarrassed for you.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:46 pm
We’re not making the playoffs with this defense. Just start Jameis so he won’t want to leave and then go all defense in the draft preferably with a DB in the first round.
Oh, and fire Mike Smith.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:46 pm
Had the ball with 3 minutes to go and a chance to win the game. 3 straight passes were thrown to the Steelers. All should’ve/could’ve been picked. I was in the camp of letting Fitz play more games. We need to get Winston going to identify if he is our guy for the future. We will not win anything of significance with Fitz at QB, so let’s let Winston knock the rust off as quickly as possible.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:46 pm
I will say it again
Pittsburg out coached Tampa
September 24th, 2018 at 11:47 pm
Mike Smith and goal line was the difference to me. One stop before halftime and two drives that ended inside the 10. Officials were a bit too permissive but that should not matter, Isaiah’s holding wasn’t worse than what happened on Roethlisberger’s last completion. Anyway, good game to watch at 4 am.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:48 pm
What’s Dirk’s favorite 4 letter word?
Punt, of course.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:48 pm
Which Conte does suck btw. Announcers do too. I wanted to tell bigger to shut up all night. The stove with whiten is garbage. Bring turico back!!
September 24th, 2018 at 11:48 pm
The point is….. Is that Sapp shut it down
Versus GMC is just a smiling candy azz cheerleader
He never shows up on big downs
September 24th, 2018 at 11:49 pm
Booger
September 24th, 2018 at 11:49 pm
Also, 2-1 is a better start than I would’ve imagined. This game was winnable.
I don’t think the Bucs are a playoff team, not with this defense. But they’re 2-1
The game is over, but the season is not
Go Bucs!!
September 24th, 2018 at 11:49 pm
Fitzpatrick gave this game away. Thank GOD we get a REAL #1 QB starting tomorrow
September 24th, 2018 at 11:49 pm
WalkdaPlank – I literally don’t think Ryan Smith was playing tonight, but if he was, and his name never came up, that is by far the best game of his career. But I never saw 29 all night, I don’t think he was on the field.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:49 pm
Conte has always sucked
September 24th, 2018 at 11:50 pm
Honest question: can RJS get a retractable dome like Arizona? That field was dog shiz.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:50 pm
the TOs didnt help. the defense was decent except for right before the half. Conte needs to be cut, bring in Eric Reid!
September 24th, 2018 at 11:50 pm
Look at the exotic blitzes dialed up by PIT. Look at Bucs rushers, every one just slamming into blockers. The Bucs defense blows. They are going to have to score 35-40 per game to keep it up this year. Do Mike Smith and Dom Capers get together and laugh every Monday morning about how great it is to have a job with no idea as to what you are doing? Maybe Capers can tell Smith when he’s about to be fired.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:50 pm
29 wasn’t playing
September 24th, 2018 at 11:51 pm
Nice one arm tackle attempt McCoy.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:51 pm
You bet GMC shows up at the bank to cash his paycheck but he never shows up to stop a drive in the 4th quarter.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:52 pm
So many dummies on this site. Did you really think this team was going 16-0? Pitt is a tough out with a lot of playmakers on offense. We played a not so great 1st half with 4 turnovers. Hard to win in the NFL when you give the ball up, especially for a score.
However, on the bright side, I was very encouraged of their fight in the second half. I really felt like the day was ours when we got the ball back with 3 minutes left. I think this team can do a lot of great things if this defense matures. Unlike a lot of you people, I saw a lot of positives on defense. I think our rookies in the secondary look solid and should continue to grow.
Overall, 2-1 against the what is probably the toughest opening 3 games in the league with only 3 point loss is nothing to be ashamed of. If they can beat Chicago next week, this season looks very promising.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:52 pm
Bucs really cannot do exotic blitzes cause our secondary sucks so bad
September 24th, 2018 at 11:52 pm
We have a sissy coach with mother goose glasses. Never punt there you had to stop them from getting a first down. Even if you failed on 4th downandstopped them they would
Have kicked a field goal you would only be down 6. And I am no just sour fan this is the bucs in a nutshell. We are the best offensein the nfl. You are an offensive coach why out the game in mike I suck smiths hands. You my friend are we every man calls a women’s genitalia. We could have been 3-0 except defense and coaching once again is our problem.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:53 pm
@posey99 let fire star off saying fitz will get the nod next week but let me tell u this there were three plays that were his falt he took sacks when he shouldn’t the first was in the first quarter when we were in fg rang and he took us out the second he was off I mean a lot he was throwing in triple coverage to Godwin who you all keep bashing that second pick yes u can say it was miscommunication but really mike was no where near the ball and the pick six was all him listen I’m not hating on fitz but can we for the love of god stop acting like this guy is the face of the franchise he’s he’s a back up!!!!
September 24th, 2018 at 11:53 pm
Good game Bucs fans. Good luck with Khalil Mack & Co. on Sunday on short rest.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:53 pm
Also the coach staff didnt do a scouting report. the right side of Pitts o-line were back ups. they should attacked that side more often
September 24th, 2018 at 11:54 pm
Nope
GMC was thinking about playing with his batman dolls in his bat cave at home versus trying to help his team with the game
.. You know….. Same ol story again
September 24th, 2018 at 11:54 pm
ryan smith would have been torched by the steelers, mccoy is not elite and godwin dropped 2 TDS, the bucs are no where near a playoff team, nfl worst defense and worst running attack, too bad licht has no clue on how to build a winning franchise
September 24th, 2018 at 11:55 pm
I’m not Fitz bashing here, had Dirk not torn the ball out of his hands and punted it I have zero doubt he would have gotten a 1st down on that last drive even if his prior three passes all could have been intercepted. However Fitz’s three INT’s were all on him. The one deflected, at the goalline, was because he tried to throw it through a d-lineman, he’s been getting away with that, but in this case he did not, in any case there wasn’t anyone open on the replay. The other two INT’s were terrible throws, he overthrew Evans by like 15 yards then he threw a terrible pass out of the endzone. Those are on him.
Again, however, with that said I think he at least gets a 1st down on the last drive if Dirk the coward doesn’t take the ball out of his hands and punt it. Winston went like 97 yards against the Saints with under 2 mins and no timeouts, and I think it’s likely Fitz could have done the same, except for the coward that is Dirk ripped the ball from his hands to punt it.
Pitiful effort by Dirk in this game, punting from the 36 in the first half and punting with under 3 mins knowing there was no chance the defense would hold again. Just flat out pitiful cowardly coaching.
For Fitz he gets the start in Chicago, which I assume will go very poorly, then post bye Winston starts. But if Fitz plays well in Chicago and we win, well then of course you stick with him.
Fitz was clearly not very good tonight for the most part, but he heated up, and had Dirk not been a coward he would have had a chance to win the game. That’s on Dirk.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:57 pm
i think Chi is a very winnable game. Then again mike smith’s def tends to give QBs career days, lol
September 24th, 2018 at 11:57 pm
The holding play on the punt cost us the game. The time needed to score
Was wasted which could have come in handy. Some of you fans, or so-called fans, kill me. So we got behind in the first half, we felt bad like a good football team does. This team is good and they will win more games. The NFL, in case you haven’t noticed is any given Sunday. Case in point raise your hands if you predicted Buffalo blowing out Minnesota. We made a game out of it at the end and for me as much as I hate losing, I like to be competitive. And we were competitive.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:57 pm
ElioT we are a Division 3 team that’s why we rate those no name commentators
September 24th, 2018 at 11:57 pm
When we got the ball back at the end and went deep right away, doesn’t that mean you should go for it on 4th down. If you’re only taking three cracks for a first down then why not get a few chunk plays.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:58 pm
Fits was not responsible for any of those INTs. First one wasn’t on the offensive line, letting the edge rusher untouched, second was Mike Evans fault, third was the oline letting the edge rusher get pressure which didn’t let Fotz finish his throw. Watch the tape. Defense didn’t allow a point in the second half. Oline and chris conte let us down this game.
September 24th, 2018 at 11:58 pm
We fought back, not felt bad
September 24th, 2018 at 11:59 pm
I saw Gerald McCoy on the sidelines trying to pump up the Defense…..but did he actually PLAY in that game? The invisible pro bowler………But, God bless you Pierre Paul
September 24th, 2018 at 11:59 pm
SteveK, it was a damned if you do or damned if you don’t call for Koetter
September 25th, 2018 at 12:02 am
LOL! These delusional people thinking Fitz can do no wrong and nothing is his fault… then you have these cowards defending cowardly coaching because the coaches handbook says you punt the ball, and you must do what the coaches handbook says to do, because, well, that’s what you must do!
Fitz had a terrible first half, then played well in the 2nd half, got hot, had the ball with a chance to drive the field and win the game and instead Dirk ripped the ball from his hands and punted.
Game over.
September 25th, 2018 at 12:03 am
Fitz showed his gritz tonight much props to him. If Koetter trust Mike Smith’s defense from this point on they should be fired. Monk can still call the offense. We have the worst defense in the NFL. They can’t stop anybody and can’t tackle. 3 straight games they’ve given up 350 yards and+70% completion, but hey they haven’t given up a 100 yard rusher yet……..at least I don’t think they have. Anything’s possible with this defense!
September 25th, 2018 at 12:04 am
Well, I predicted this loss. I predicted 3 picks by Fitz. I predicted the defense would get 3 sacks (did they?).
I’m never happy when we lose, and I was hoping to eat hot crow wings tonight. Oh well. We won’t be going 16-0. Did anyone think we would?
The Steelers have now beat us in 9 of 11 games. The odds were against us in several ways. Still, I hoped the comeback would succeed.
Anyway, we are 2-1 in games many thought we would be 0-3. That’s pretty darn good if you ask me.
September 25th, 2018 at 12:04 am
There is no downside to not punting, you must hold them in either case if Fitz doesn’t get the first down – and if you hold them from the 20 they kick a FG, you get the ball back with a chance to win the game.
If you don’t hold them in either case they just run out the clock.
The inability for people to use their brain is amazing. It’s like Philly last year, going for it all the time on 4th down and winning the SB because of it, well that doesn’t count because the coaching handbook says it shouldn’t count.
Remarkable.
September 25th, 2018 at 12:05 am
So many fans at the game saw it like I’ve been saying Fitz did a great job he stole 2 games gave Jameis a great head start but this is 3’s team always has been Fitz just doesn’t have the strength to play he can recharge now and enjoy the ride!
September 25th, 2018 at 12:05 am
Look, it’s a tough call but Dirk played the correct % in punting. If they turn the ball over inside their 30, then they are already assured of giving up 3 and could also give up 7 putting the game out of reach.
What I would have rather seen was a draw or a delayed screen to Rogers in the middle to make them cover the middle. The play calling was questionable during that series as it looked like Pitt was just dropping everyone in coverage. We had plenty of time so I think we could loosened them up with a run.
September 25th, 2018 at 12:06 am
I keep seeing the deffence getting ragged on. I dont get it. Yes they gave up 30 points in the first half. But that was on 3 picks thrown. And 1 was a pick 6. Also made 4 red zone trips and came out with what 6 points? Fitz was the problem this game.
Get Jameis in there
September 25th, 2018 at 12:06 am
We’re a better team than the outcome suggests- but Joe’s right- many weaknesses were exposed. Fitz is going to Fitz. I’ve been a big advocate of taking it one game at a time. He played himself out of the job in the 1st half and right back into it in the 2nd. I suspect he will he remain under center inn a Chicago. The OL was brutal at times, failed to pick up stunts most of the night and couldn’t open up any holes in the ground game. Not a great look for Marpet tonight. Godwin had a strange game- maximum effort but costly drops and the fumble were killers. On D, we desperately need Vea and a push up the gut. Gerald was Gerald. Curry and JPP are max effort guys. Conte was Conte- that play changed the tenor of the game. Grimes was a liability for most of the 1st half. Settled in a bit in the 2nd. Overall Smitty’s scheme is High school like- not very difficult to read. Some very curious blitzes and zone drops for the DL- in the end they couldn’t close it out.
Officiating was over the top bad- lots of missed holds (particularly on Curry during Gerald’s missed sack at the end) and they became the story of the game- note to NFL- most of us want to see the players play, not officials officiating!
Next week is a HUGE game- let’s hold our heads high- this team is capable of playing with the big boys.
September 25th, 2018 at 12:08 am
@JabooBuc I agree. there was no need to pass 3 straight times. We should have ran it in that series. we had time and the timeouts to boot. that was a terrible coaching.
September 25th, 2018 at 12:08 am
You have to give Fitz the start next week right?
Worst case you end the first Q at .500 going into a bye.
Let Jameis prepare through the short week and get them reps back with the 1st team and film study with Monk.
Right?
September 25th, 2018 at 12:09 am
Man that game hurt. Couldn’t overcome the turnovers in the 1st half. Definitely felt the loss of Allen, Unrein, and Vea this game…. Still happy to get to 2-1. Stick with Fitz for another week then re-evaluate the QB position afterwards, no need to rush Winston back in on a short week.
Side-note: Are DLineMen allowed to breathe on opposing QB’s without getting flagged?
September 25th, 2018 at 12:09 am
Oh, noes! We beat last year’s division champs and last year’s Super Bowl winner, but we lost to the Steelers by 3 points.
We were hoping like crazy to avoid being 0-3 after 3 weeks, But oh noes, we’re 2-1 with a career backup quarterback setting records with a league-leading offense! Oh, the humanity!
Seriously, what is wrong with you Chicken Little people?
September 25th, 2018 at 12:09 am
Seriously, the Conte, it’s not like he hasn’t been punked before, just not that badly. He shouldn’t see an NFL field again.
The young guys really outplayed the vets in the secondary today. I’m not sure if Grimes is still hurt, out just showing age but Davis looked much better than Grimes.
Sadly for as bad as we played in the first half, we blew to many opportunities to score points and still had a chance to win. We lost that game, the Steelers didn’t beat us. Last year’s team would have closed shop on national TV after the half and lost 47-10, so I do see improvement
September 25th, 2018 at 12:09 am
We threw the game so pittsburgh would trade us leveon bell. Watch im.callin it. A 3rd and 2 4th rounders for him.
September 25th, 2018 at 12:09 am
Sheesh. Every single post is how the Bucs suck, GMC sucks, Koetter sucks. Okay, we get it. You all think the entire team is garbage…
So pick another damn team and stop attacking this team. If you are true fans, quit the constant negative berating. Let’s be critical of the entire team, that’s perfectly fine. Spending your precious time doing nothing but thrashing individual players and coaches—it’s just a waste of energy. Ok, you think everyone working for the Bucs sucks. Got it. You all are going to do you but at some point I just have to wonder, are you even truly Bucs fans?
September 25th, 2018 at 12:09 am
this is the loss we could afford because it’s against an AFC team and our 2 wins are one division making it 2 NFC wins. Silver lining folks.
September 25th, 2018 at 12:10 am
This is still a better bucs team then last year. Baby steps. Everyone is thinking superbowl. Lol. Not with this defense. Playoffs hall yes with the offense we have. Positives of the game we almost won with all the turnovers. Last year the game would’ve been over before the second half. We were coming back from a 30-10 score. Bucs I think are earning everyone respect in the nfl. Maybe not our defense, but didnt the defense shut out the steelers in the 2nd half. One less interception. Game would be ours. 2-1. Not bad against 3 top teams. My prediction 0-3. Dam I was wrong. How bout them apples.
September 25th, 2018 at 12:10 am
The Bucs were exposed for (still) being too soft. The game was on the line and Pitt ran it down their throats – even without Leveon Bell. I still think they are 8-8, optimistically, and even with a favorable schedule ahead will not be relevant by Thanksgiving.
Let the kids in the secondary play so they can grow up for next year. I don’t ever want to see Conte on the field again. That was pathetic and changed the tone of the game. We miss you, John Lynch.
September 25th, 2018 at 12:10 am
JabooBuc – That’s just not the case, the odds of the defense stopping the Steelers twice in a row after not doing it all night was ZERO. There was no chance of that happening. The odds are not always the same, they change based on the situation and the team involved. This defense had ZERO chance of stopping the Steelers there, thus the percentage play was to NOT take the ball out of your QB’s hand.
My god, it’s like some mental block in place that says the coaching handbook says you do this, and I can’t take any new data from watching the game, seeing the defense look terrible over and over and over again, and put that into the calculation.
If it was the 2002 Bucs defense, then sure, punt the ball. But it’s not the 2002 Bucs defense, it’s a Mike Smith defense that was literally the worst in football last year and is literally the worst in football this year.
So you have the worst defense in the NFL going against… wait for it… the best offense in the NFL, and you’re saying the coaches handbook says punt the ball and expect your terrible defense to stop the best offense.
Nonsense.
It was a cowardly call by Dirk, and no, the odds were not in his favor when you look at the game flow and look at the teams involved.
September 25th, 2018 at 12:11 am
This loss hurt… Couldn’t overcome the turnovers. Definetly felt the loss of Allen/Unrein/Vea this week. Still happy were 2-1 through the first 3 though. No need to rush JW back on a short week, stick with Fitz then reevaluate the QB position after the bye.
Side ote: Are DLinemen allowed to breathe on QBs without getting flagged???
September 25th, 2018 at 12:14 am
Punting was the right call. We had time outs and the two minute warning. The defense has not been bad against the run and they’ve come thru at the end of games.
It was the right call…it just didn’t work out.
This defense though. There are moments in games when they look exceptional. But there are moments when they look terrible. I think they took a small step forward this game. The rookies mostly played better on defense.
Godwin had his first bad game, but I’m glad he hung in there. Walk thru adversity to get to the other side of it.
This weeks practices should determine who starts at QB against the Bears…although, if I were Koetter, I would say Fitz at the start of the week, let him play the first series, them put Winston in. That way the Bears will have prepared for the wrong QB.
September 25th, 2018 at 12:18 am
Again, it’s the idea of you throw out the entire game you just watched and refer to the coaches handbook from 1961 that says you always punt in that situation and so long as you punt the ball everyone will defend you because the coaches handbook says to punt the ball and everyone does what the coaches handbook says to do…
Guys, I get it, if you don’t have the league’s worst defense AND you’re not going against the league’s best defense, the call is to punt. But that wasn’t the case. Who in the world thought yeah, the Bucs can stop them twice in a row, that’s a lot more likely than Fitz, whose put up over 400 yards already, getting another 10 yards against a terrible defense?
Come on people.
September 25th, 2018 at 12:19 am
*going against the best offense…
September 25th, 2018 at 12:35 am
@Manzie Madness… I’m not trying to be a jerk to you but what do you mean we felt the loss of Vea??? Dude got hurt after ONE F…ing practice in July!!! We don’t know if he is good or if he sucks! Right now I’m leaning toward the latter. Get your soft A..S out on the field!
September 25th, 2018 at 12:38 am
The interception to Evans was on Evans because he stopped his route and if he had continued instead he would have been hit in stride. The tipped ball by a Lineman was not Fitz fault either. The overthrow from the end zone was Fitz mistake. He got body slammed too many times before that throw by a dirty game plan by Pittsburg. But he still is the only QB in NFL history to throw for 400 yards in a row and he almost won the game bringing us back from too far down. That earns another start in Chicago! Our defensive line played hard without any subs giving them a breather which is on Smitty. Isaha Johnson lost the game and should be cut. It was a real huge mistake letting Tandy go! Had he been in the game instead of a rookie Safety we would have won by four points! Grimes was a liability too.
September 25th, 2018 at 12:43 am
I love these people that know Mike Evans ran the wrong route and it’s not Fitz’s fault he threw it 15 yards over his head… Nevermind if Mike was where the ball went he’d be interfering with the WR running a route in the same area.
In any case we don’t know the call there, but even if Mike ran the wrong route it’s still a terrible pass unless Fitz suddenly decided to change his play style and throw to a spot instead of to the guy.
Fitz backers, just chill out, this was not a good game for Fitz, but literally no one except for you thought he’d stay playing at a record pace. Next week will tell us everything.
September 25th, 2018 at 12:47 am
Winston comes back after the bye week
September 25th, 2018 at 1:08 am
they are a tough team – and made the bucs buckle in the first half due to toughness, and almost some dirty play – it’s a softened up league now and tomlin must have told his guys just go out and wallop these bucs and soften them up…and it happened…i saw it in the first half…they had their way with the bucs due to toughness and hard hitting…they played football harder and tougher than the bucs in the first half…i swear then bucs were looking pretty soft there for a while
September 25th, 2018 at 1:10 am
dang typos
September 25th, 2018 at 1:24 am
@Adam from NY, you sir are correct. I told everybody at the bar that Fitzpatrick was shook and would have a hard time overcoming how physical Pittsburg was. Even though we lost, real Bucs fans see how them team as a whole is playing with more heart and fight
September 25th, 2018 at 1:29 am
Brent Grimes is DONE he is so slow and cant tackle!!!! CUT HIM PLEASE!
September 25th, 2018 at 1:52 am
Nate
^^^^^^
That’s my first name. Stud
Give grimes time. Been out for a long time. That man still balls
September 25th, 2018 at 1:59 am
Losers lose. The Bucs lost.
Losers.
September 25th, 2018 at 5:22 am
After reading this thread, only one conclusion to draw: far too many of you SUPPOSED Bucs’ fans have ZERO idea what you saw last night. Those guys played their hearts out and almost pulled off a victory in the 2nd half after getting the snot beat out of them in the 1st half. Pittsburgh is a huge, physical, nasty team that played to their strengths beautifully in the 1st half (smash-mouth football) but then got brought back down to earth in the 2nd half by a gutsy Bucs TEAM that’s badly beaten up already this season.
As I read back through this thread, I tried to figure out which commenters on this thread provided the dumbest comment. Sorry, far too many dumb comments to rank order them. The only thing this TEAM has to be embarrassed about is having to contend with unappreciative, pretend fans.
September 25th, 2018 at 7:15 am
All those that say Koetter was outcoached are so right. The Pittsburgh blitzes were not being picked up and the Steelers, just like the Saints in game one played dirty football. They were taking cheap shots on Fitz all game and even went helmet to helmet when he was clearly going down after a scramble. Mike Tomlin had his defense fired up and Koetter’s game plan never adjusted to all those angles of blitzes. If they pick up those blitzes then Fitz has a little more time and can get the ball out. He showed a lot of guts as many of his throws he was getting hit. Shame on the offensive line for getting wiped out. Godwin is a good receiver but his drop in the end zone was a 7 point swing and his fumble in the first half gave the Steelers momentum. A bad night for Chris. When Vea and Beau Allen get back in the lineup I don’t think the Steelers would have been able to run it up the middle as they did at end. Gholston is too light to play defensive tackle and McCoy isn’t a finisher, he was getting great penetration but couldn’t bring down Big Ben.
September 25th, 2018 at 7:56 am
Godwin is going to be great, but he dropped two TD’s and had a fumble! The team fought back and almost pulled it out. The Bucs are getting better every week, and showed last night that they are for real…. Enjoy the ride. Gonna be a fun season!
September 25th, 2018 at 8:21 am
@BucBeliever
Lol true guess you cant miss what you never had, however, those big runs up the middle towards the end of the game hurt. Not enough space for the LBs to hit their gaps…. need a rotation.
September 25th, 2018 at 9:08 am
I wonder how bad did we miss Beau last night?
I know conspiracy theory’s are often tossed aside but two horrible calls last night that changed the game holding on run back and the Roughing passer for JPPs hand hiring the helmet inadvertently. Lots of money in NFL and Lots of money in Vegas Ummmm
Vegas was pissed about Bucs winning