Buccaneers: Studs and duds from loss to Steelers
By Ryan Doyle
Studs
WR Mike Evans
Mike Evans dominated the Steelers.
He came down with six catches for 137 yards and a touchdown. His best catch of the night came on a 51-yard bomb from Fitzpatrick. As defenders tried to drag him to the ground, Evans stuck his arms out and came down with a fantastic grab.
Fitzpatrick had accuracy issues all night, but Evans stepped up like a true number one receiver. He averaged 22.8 yards per reception and torched an overmatched Steelers secondary.
It’s still early, but this is looking to be Evans’ best season yet. He’s been a strong red zone target had has been Fitzpatrick’s go-to guy in critical situations.
DE Jason Pierre-Paul
General manager Jason Licht’s decision to trade for Jason Pierre-Paul looks like it is going to pay off.
On Monday night, Pierre-Paul had a pair of sacks, five solo tackles and a forced fumble. Pierre-Paul’s night may be remembered for his strip sack of Roethlisberger, but his stout run defense deserves plenty of recognition.
Overall, Pierre-Paul has been the best lineman against both the run and pass. He is a dynamic defensive end who cares about run defense just as much as sacks, and it has helped Tampa Bay shut down opposing rushing attacks.
The Buccaneers number third-ranked run defense (70.7 yards allowed per game) has a lot to do with Pierre-Paul’s activity on the edge. He forces running backs to the sideline which enables Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander to clean up the play.
Pierre-Paul may catch some flak with the struggles the defensive front has had this season rushing the passer, but place the blame elsewhere.
Through three weeks, the only effective pass rusher has been Pierre-Paul. Vinny Curry is off to a quiet start and edge rusher Noah Spence has four snaps to his name. Injuries ravaged the interior of the line as well.
It’s early, but Pierre-Paul has lived up to the billing.
Buccaneers Week 3 stock report. light. Must Read
TE O.J. Howard
It’s becoming apparent, O.J. Howard is a problem.
Pittsburgh had no answer for Howard as he hauled in six catches, tying a career-high for 72 yards. While Cameron Brate may have found the end zone, Howard had the better night overall.
On a handful of drives, Fitzpatrick connected with Howard on long catch-and-runs, which typically doesn’t happen with tight ends. Howard is a different breed and brings another vertical threat to the explosive Tampa Bay offense.
So far this season Howard has been on the field a lot more than Brate. His freakish skillset makes him a mismatch on every play. He is too quick for linebackers and bounces off of safeties regularly.
If you haven’t bought stock in the young Buccaneers tight end, do it now.