On Saturday we’re being served up Buccaneers and Steelers in preseason action, live from 7pm ET at Acrisure Stadium.
Both teams come into this off the back of high-scoring wins and would love to keep that momentum rolling, but as ever in preseason, we’ll be missing some key figures.
Don’t miss our NFL picks and Buccaneers vs. Steelers predictions.
Buccaneers vs Steelers prediction
Buccaneers vs Steelers Best bet: Bucs -3 (-110)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday following a joint practice on Thursday. Both teams won their opening game of preseason in high-scoring fashion with the Bucs scoring 29 points as they defeated the Titans and Steelers, 31, as they beat the Jags.
Thursday’s practice saw reports of both teams having highs and lows but the Bucs first-string offense looking dominant. However, as always with preseason, there are going to be some star men rested, which heavily informs the betting here, with backup strength integral.
For the Buccaneers there are some serious positives with head coach Todd Bowles confirming that the majority of starters will play some part in the game. Initially after Thursday’s practice the HC had said it would just be Mike Evans and Lavonte David who would sit.
However, he later came out and revealed that Baker Mayfield would also sit following a review of an excellent performance in the joint workout. Even without their QB1, that’s still a formidable Bucs offense and one which should call the Steelers problems.
Last week Kyle Trask saw the bulk of the workload with Mayfield sitting, with Connor Bazelak getting reps too.
This week we’ve had confirmation from Bowles that Teddy Bridgewater will make his Bucs debut, having signed on August 5.
We saw enough from Trask last week to see that he could get the job done for the Bucs, completing 12 of 16 passes, and more importantly managing the offense as they dominated the Titans on the ground.
We saw 41 handoffs in that game and you can expect much more of the same, although the addition of Bridgewater will add more talent into the QB corps.
The Steelers put up big numbers against the Jaguars last week without Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin has confirmed he’ll be sat again, meaning his home debut will have to wait until the regular season.
Just like last week the offense’s other key veterans DK Metcalf, Jonnu Smith, Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt, will also be on the sidelines.
With no Rodgers it means we’ll see a mix of Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson and Logan Woodside under center. Thompson, despite Rudolph starting, played the majority of that game and played excellently, throwing for 233 yards and three touchdowns.
Despite that performance you’d have to expect a tougher time for the Steelers here. The Jaguars defense was terrible last year and the Bucs defense, even if starters only play a series, will be a considerably tougher test.
The Buccaneers can cover the spread here. In Bridgewater they have a quarterback with real experience, they have a strong defense even in the second-string, and they’ll be playing more starters.
Buccaneers vs Steelers odds
- Spread: Buccaneers -1.5 (-110) | Steelers +1.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Buccaneers -130 | Steelers +110
- Over/Under: Over 48.5 (-110) | Under 48.5 (-110)
How to watch Buccaneers vs Steelers
| Location: | Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA |
| Date: | Saturday, 8-16, 2025 |
| Kickoff: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | KDKA-CBS |
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