The world. In perspective.Our editorial standards
BREAKINGLATEST.
NEWS & PERSPECTIVES
Across a changing world
Explore the latest
Menu
Search
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-19 in overtime at Raymond James Stadium on

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-19 in overtime at Raymond James Stadium on

by

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-19 in overtime at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, October 18, 2026, after trailing 16-3 entering the fourth quarter. The win, Pittsburgh’s first on the road this season, moved the Steelers to 4-2 and dropped Tampa Bay to 1-5.

The Buccaneers are also 0-4 at home, Yahoo Sports reported. They played without quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has been out since Week 4 and, per Yahoo, could miss as many as six weeks. Rookie Jalon Daniels started in his place.

How Pittsburgh scored 16 unanswered points

Pittsburgh had no touchdown through three quarters, iHeart’s Tampa Bay coverage noted. Aaron Rodgers then threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Darnell Washington to make it 16-10. Chris Boswell followed with field goals of 39 and 58 yards to tie it at 16.

Daniels threw two fourth-quarter interceptions. On the second, cornerback Jamel Dean, a former Buccaneer, ran the ball to the 3-yard line, according to Yahoo. The Steelers could not score a touchdown from there and settled for a 20-yard Boswell field goal and a 19-16 lead with 1:21 left, the, Associated Press reported.

Daniels answered with completions of 22 and 13 yards to fellow rookie Ted Hurst. Chase McLaughlin’s 53-yard field goal with eight seconds left made it 19-19. In overtime, Rodgers led a 12-play, 70-yard drive and finished it with a 7-yard touchdown pass to rookie Germie Bernard with 3:15 remaining, per AP. Yahoo lists the touchdown as six yards; iHeart also says six. It was Bernard’s first career touchdown. Pennlive said the drive used nearly seven minutes. Jalen Ramsey sacked Daniels on fourth down for an 11-yard loss to end the game.

Rodgers finished 33 of 49 for 253 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. His two scoring passes tied Peyton Manning for third on the NFL career list at 539, behind Tom Brady (649) and Drew Brees (571), AP reported.

Metcalf catches eleven passes during overtime drive

DK Metcalf had 11 catches. Sports Illustrated credited him with 97 yards; A to Z Sports said 93. Sports Illustrated noted he had 12 yards entering the fourth quarter, after three catches for 12 yards in Week 5, and argued Pittsburgh needs more than one quarter from its top wideout. A to Z called it his best game as a Steeler.

The context is a thin receiver room. Steelers.com said Michael Pittman Jr. is two weeks into injured reserve with a foot injury, and Roman Wilson one week in with a finger/hand injury. Pennlive said Metcalf converted a third-and-13 in the overtime drive.

Three quarters the Steelers would rather forget

Accounts split on what the comeback means. Steelers.com called the result a gutsy win, and Pennlive wrote that the team showed fortitude on a day far from its best. Sports Illustrated described three pitiful quarters and said the comeback doesn't tell the story. Pennlive also faulted coach Mike McCarthy’s play calling and clock management late.

The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-19 in overtime at Raymond James Stadium on
Photo: Yahoo Sports

Rodgers was sacked five times, and Steelers.com noted he took 10 hits overall. A to Z Sports charted blame across tight ends and tackles, including rookie Max Iheanachor, and said the line must protect a 42-year-old quarterback. Steelers.com also flagged untimely penalties and a 2-for-4 red-zone showing. Sports Illustrated called Kaden Wetjen’s work on kick returns a problem; A to Z described a rough day returning.

On defense, Steelers.com said coordinator Patrick Graham moved from the booth to the sideline and the unit blitzed more. T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig had one sack combined in the three games before Tampa. Still Curtain credited Herbig with two sacks Sunday.

Former Steelers defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko was blunter, saying Coaching was horrendous. The comment was relayed by Pro Football Network. Tampa Bay receiver Emeka Egbuka said the Buccaneers gave that one to them.

Paris next, in a crowded AFC North

Steelers.com described a mathematical tie with Cleveland and Baltimore atop the AFC North. Steelersdepot said Cleveland beat Baltimore on a last-second field goal Sunday and holds the division lead. The Steelers face the New Orleans Saints in Paris, the first NFL regular-season game in France, AP reported. Steelers.com said the bye follows, then a nine-game stretch that will shape the season, with a Nov. 1 rematch against the Browns. Tampa Bay visits Carolina on October 25, per iHeart.

Rodgers framed it as a step forward. These are the most important moments for us as a team to grow. This is a trajectory win, he said, adding that a loss would have meant 3-3 and then you’ve got a Paris trip.

More on Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Steelers WRs Germie Bernard, DK Metcalf Find Chemistry w/Aaron Rodgers in Time to Beat Buccaneers
Overtime Ending in Pittsburgh | Buccaneers VS Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Game Highlights | 2026 NFL Season Week 6
STEELERS TAKE THE LEAD IN OVERTIME ON GERMIE BERNARD’S FIRST NFL TOUCHDOWN ‼️

Keep reading