The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally got in the winning column last week on Thursday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys, but there is little time for celebration. Not only is a 1-4 record far from a mark the Bucs want to carry with them, but their Week 6 opponents, the Pittsburgh Steelers, are tough customers and own a positive 3-2 record after making the playoffs last season.
Tampa's defense was amazing against Dak Prescott and the Cowboys, and Jalon Daniels played a very clean game in the pocket, too. But easily the biggest factor in the Bucs winning had to have been running back Bucky Irving, who delivered his best game of the season and and arguably of his career, turning the clock back to his rookie 2024 season in which he was one of the best backs in the league.
Irving rushed for 165 on 21 carries and scored two total touchdowns to finally ignite Tampa Bay's offense. That proved to be exactly what the Bucs needed to coast to victory against the Cowboys. It won't be easy on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the Bucs will need to follow that formula in Week 6 to get the W.
Bucky Irving needs to come through with another big game for the Buccaneers
Bucky Irving has to play lights out against the Steelers so that the Bucs can control the game and slow down the Steelers pass rush, which will be huge in allowing Daniels to play his game and stay in a rhythm, which is exactly what he was able to do against the Cowboys last week.
The Buccaneers star running back needs to prove something to the NFL world, too. Irving is such a talented back and looked every bit the all around slasher and feature back he is destined to become in this league in the big win over Dallas, but he has to be able to do that every week. His 2025 NFL season was mired in injuries, yes, and there were some other factors at play that definitely hurt his production.
But if you want to be an elite player in the NFL, which Irving certainly can be, you have to be able to put all that noise aside and produce at the highest level every week. The Buccaneers need to see that from Bucky, and that starts this weekend with a big day against Pittsburgh.
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