First Quarter
A slow start for the Bucs offense with a quick three-and-out to start the game. During the first quarter, a solid display of movement down the field by Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers with quick passes to Juju Smith-Schuster and rushes by James Conner.
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A combination of run plays from Peyton Barber and Andre Ellington chip the yards away before a big defensive penalty on the Steelers backs them up even more. Two more rushes by Ellington and a beautiful red-zone pass from Jameis Winston to Breshad Perriman garnered the first points of the game. Rookie kicker Matt Gay added the extra point to put the Bucs in the lead by seven points. A strong defensive showing from both teams over the next several series maintains the score to the end of the quarter.
Buccaneers 7 – Steelers 0
Second Quarter
Both the Steelers and the Buccaneers take their starters out the game for the start of the second quarter. Steelers running back Jaylen Samuels hits back with a touchdown for Pittsburgh early in the quarter, with Chris Boswell adding on the extra point. Blaine Gabbert takes charge at quarterback for the Buccaneers but despite support on the ground by Ellington, cannot take the Bucs to the endzone.
Throughout the quarter Gabbert struggles to complete passes, leaving the only points prior to halftime to kicker Matt Gay who hits a 43 yard field goal to take us to halftime.
Buccaneers 10 – Steelers – 7