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Steelers vs. Buccaneers score, takeaways: Mitch Trubisky lifts Pittsburgh after Kenny Pickett injury

Trubisky made several key plays as the Steelers ended their four-game losing skid

PITTSBURGH -- Kenny Pickett's first career start included just about everything, including Pittsburgh's rookie quarterback leaving the game with a concussion midway through the third quarter. Pickett's backup, Mitch Trubisky, made sure that his teammate would win his first home start, as Trubisky made several key plays down the stretch to complete the Steelers' 20-18 upset win over the Buccaneers. 

Pickett led the Steelers to a 13-12 lead after starting the game with his first career touchdown pass on a 6-yard strike to Najee Harris. Following Pickett's exit, Trubisky extended the Steelers' lead by firing a 6-yard touchdown pass to Chase Claypool with 9:55 left. Following a Buccaneers score, two third-and-long conversions from Trubisky to Claypool clinched the Steelers' first home win of the 2022 season. 

Here's a closer look at how the Steelers pulled off the upset while winning their first game since Week 1. 

Why the Steelers won 

Pittsburgh played complementary football. The offense took advantage of key stops by the defense, while the Steelers' special teams units also played a crucial role in the win. 

Among the Steelers' big special teams plays was Chris Boswell's 55-yard field goal in the first half and Steven Sims' 89-yard kickoff return to open the second half. Sims' return set up Boswell's second field goal while extending the Steelers' lead to 13-9. 

Despite playing without several starters, the Steelers defense was able to provide pressure on Brady while coming up with key plays in the secondary. 

Why the Buccaneers lost 

Penalties and a lack of offensive rhythm doomed the Buccaneers, who have lost three of their last four games after a 2-0 start. 

Brady eventually found his rhythm after completing less than half of his first-half pass attempts. But the running game never got going, as the Buccaneers averaged fewer than 4 yards per carry. 

While they played well for most of the game, the Buccaneers defense's inability to stop Trubisky after he replaced Pickett sealed its fate. 

Turning point 

Pittsburgh's offense was struggling when Pickett exited the game. But the Steelers' defense picked things up by forcing consecutive three-and-outs following Pickett's exit. 

Trubisky rewarded his defense by hitting George Pickens for 14 yards on a third-and-13 play. He then hit Connor Heyward downfield for a 45-yard gain before throwing a strike to Claypool to stretch the Steelers' lead to eight points. 

Play of the game 

Devin Bush's deflection of Brady's two-point pass to Chris Godwin with 4:38 left might be his biggest play as a Steeler to date. The play was certainly vindication for Bush, a former first-round pick who has dealt with some challenges after suffering a major knee injury in 2020. 

Quotable 

"I think that we're flipping something right now. I think we're flipping the page and becoming a great team. We've got to keep stacking bricks and keep going after it." -- Najee Harris on the current state of the Steelers 

What's next 

Tampa Bay will remain on the road next week. The Buccaneers will be in Charlotte next Sunday to face a Panthers team that recently fired coach Matt Rhule. Carolina fell to 1-5 on Sunday after dropping a 24-10 decision to the Rams. 

The Steelers will take their talents to South Beach to face the Dolphins on Sunday night. The Dolphins, who are 3-3 after losing to the Vikings on Sunday, will have Tua Tagovailoa back under center after he missed Miami's last two games with a concussion. 

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Live updates
 
Pinned

Here's a look at the play that led to Pickett leaving the game. Pickett has been ruled OUT with a concussion. 
 

Another unreal completion to Claypool. The Steelers are close to sewing up a big upset win. 

 

Trubisky hits Clayppol for 17 on third-and-16. Give Trubisky a lot of credit for not checking down and going for the first down. 

 

Trubisky able to scoop up a low snap, but the Steelers lose 13 yards on the play, setting up third and 16. 

 

Here's a look at Fournette's TD. 
 

Devin Bush makes maybe his biggest play so far as a Steeler. Breaks up Brady's pass attempt to Godwin. 

 

Brady hits Fournette for a score, cutting the Steelers' lead to 20-18. Buccaneers going for two to try to tie it up. 

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Here's a look at the TD pass from Trubisky to Claypool. 
 

Myles Jack leaving the game under his own power.

 

Trubisky hits Claypool to give the Steelers a 19-12 lead. Trubisky had Najee in the flat but threw a hard strike to Claypool for Claypool's first TD of the season. 

 

Trubisky hits Heyward on a free play, and it goes for a big gain. It's a 45-yard gain, and the Steelers are in the red zone. 

 

Trubisky hits Pickens for a first down on third-and-13. Steelers near midfield after getting just their second first down of the second half. 

 

Strong stand by the Steelers' defense. Chris Wormely stuffs Fournette on third down, as the Buccaneers start the fourth with a punt. 

 

Steelers lead 13-12 after three quarters. 

 

Steelers go three-and-out yet again after Trubisky throws an incomplete pass on third down. A sack on first down essentially ended that drive before it had a chance to get going. 

 

Buccaneers don't even consider going for it on fourth and inches. 

 

Cameron Brate is down for the Buccaneers. The cart is coming out for him. 

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Here's a look at the play that led to Pickett leaving the game. 
 

Pickett is out of the medical tent but appears to be going into the locker room. 

 

Pickett completes deep shot to Diontae Johnson but is shaken up. 

 

Kick is good, score is 13-12 Steelers midway through the third quarter. 

 

Pierre wins his next matchup as well, as the Buccaneers forced to settle for a fourth FG. 

 

Brady goes after Pierre again, but the young DB able to win this matchup, setting up third and goal. 

 

Holding call on James Pierre gives the Bucs a first down at the Steelers' 4-yard-line. 

 

Here's a look at that Brady's dime to Godwin. 
 

Ogunjobi leaving the game but is walking off under his own power. 

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Unreal completion from Brady to Godwin for 28. The ball went in between several defenders. Buccaneers in business in Pittsburgh territory. 

 

Pretty neat: Several Buccaneers players on the field turned around to applaud a military veteran who was being honored on the field during the commercial break. 

 

Here's a look at Sims' return. 
 

Steelers offense has gone dry. Three straight drives where offense has failed to register a first down. Boswell able to extend the lead, however, on a 25-yard FG following Sims' big return. 

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