Each week we will bring you three key matchups to preview for the Steelers' upcoming opponent. This week the Steelers face the 2-0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Monday at 8:15PM.
Watch the above video to preview the top three matchups for the Steelers' in their effort to beat the Buccaneers.
The Steelers have won four of their last five games against the Buccaneers, however the Buccaneers won the most recent game in the series when they beat the Steelers 27-24 at Heinz Field in 2014. Much has changed for both teams since then as both teams have gotten younger talent on their rosters.
The Buccaneers have surged to a 2-0 start mostly because of Ryan Fitzpatrick's hot hand at quarterback. Through two games, Fitzpatrick has thrown eight touchdowns and only one interception. Both teams he faced in the Saints and Eagles were expected to be top defenses in the NFL in 2018.
If the Steelers want to avoid a second week of being picked apart by a quarterback for numerous scores, they will have to improve upon communication in the secondary and be tighter in coverage. Doing so will create tight passing windows for Fitzpatrick and make him hold onto the ball longer and take riskier throws. But if the Steelers leave open receivers running free like they did against the Chiefs, the veteran quarterback will ensure their defense has a long day.
Both teams face numerous injuries to stars and key role players, as the Steelers are expected to miss David DeCastro and potentially Marcus Gilbert while the Buccaneers are knowingly without their star cornerback, Vernon Hargreaves, starting defensive tackle, Beau Allen and immediate backup defensive tackle, Vita Vea.
The Buccaneers' shortage of interior defensive linemen means that Gerald McCoy will be on the field a lot more along with their only other defensive tackle, Jerel Worthy. McCoy is a star player, but if the Steelers manage to have long drives and tire him and Worthy out, their offensive line might be able to take over the game in the second half and plow clearer roads for James Conner.
Check back with our weekly War Room postgame analysis series on Wednesday as I grade who won those matchups and factor how they impacted the result of the game.
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