Bucs vs Steelers: Five keys to victory Tampa Bay might be the most surprising team in the NFL

through the first two weeks of the 2018 season. After knocking off New Orleans in a high-octane affair in week one http://www.authenticstampabaybuccaneers.com/cheap-chandler-catanzaro-jersey , the Buccaneers responded by taking down the defending champs last Sunday.It won’t get any easier in week three with Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers coming to town. Despite missing Le’Veon Bell, the Steelers offense is still elite, currently ranked No. 2 in the league behind who else, Tampa Bay. It’ll be interesting to see if Ryan Fitzpatrick can stay hot against a Pittsburgh defense that struggled against the pass a week ago. The Bucs have the weapons on offense to light up the scoreboard for the third straight week against a defense that has allowed 31.5 points per game.1. Finding success on the groundThough Tampa Bay has blitzed its opponents up through the air during its first two games, the Buccaneers haven’t found much success on the ground.As a whole, the offense has averaged 77.5 rushing yards per game on only 2.7 yards per attempt. Tampa Bay may have to get more creative with its play calling to open up the run.Will we see Ronald Jones get a chance to spark this offense in week three?2. Taking advantage of a weak secondaryPittsburgh got blindsided last week in a high-scoring loss to Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes was on fire, completing 23 of his 28 passes for 326 yards and six touchdowns. With the success Tampa Bay has had through the air in its first two wins, Fitzpatrick and the receiving corps will be the players to watch on Monday night.The former Harvard star has been incredible early in 2018 http://www.authenticstampabaybuccaneers.com/cheap-donovan-smith-jersey , completing 78.7% of his passes for 819 yards with eight touchdowns compared to just one interception. If the deep balls continue to connect, expect another explosive performance from the Bucs offense.3. Pass protectionDespite the Steelers allowing 31.5 points per game and having some breakdowns in the secondary, this team has rushed the passer well.Pittsburgh has amassed eight sacks during its first two games, netting four in each contest. On the other side, Tampa Bay has only allowed two sacks in its first two games.After holding off a stout Philadelphia Eagles defensive line last week, the Bucs offensive line is up for another challenge. 4. A big game from the defensive lineTampa Bay is heading into its contest against Pittsburgh severely limited on the defensive line. Starting defensive tackle Beau Allen and First-Round pick Vita Vea have both been ruled out for the game.That means Gerald McCoy and Jerel Worthy are the only healthy interior linemen for the Buccaneers. We’ll likely see defensive ends William Gholston and Will Clarke get some burn on the inside to help keep McCoy as fresh as possible.This is going to be a grinding effort from this defense and it all starts up front. Tampa Bay is going to need the entire defensive line to step up this week. 5. Limiting intermediate playsDespite starting 0-2, Pittsburgh has still performed well on offense. The Steelers are tied for first in the NFL with 58 first downs, with 42 coming through the air.Tampa Bay has surrendered 376.5 passing yards per game to New Orleans and Philadelphia. Starting cornerback Brent Grimes was a full participant on Saturday and he could provide a big boost to the Bucs secondary.Grimes missed the first two games with a hamstring injury. Safety Chris Conte is also expected to play despite a knee injury. With a short-handed defensive line and a young defensive backfield Youth Lavonte David Jersey , it is vital for Tampa Bay to limit Pittsburgh’s intermediate plays to try and prevent them from racking up first downs. Jameis Winston has talent, there’s no doubting it and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have witnessed it time and time again. He’s also got a turnover problem. Again, the Bucs have seen it. Finally, it’s been too many times.Against a banged up Bengals defense this looked like the perfect week for Winston to come out and light up his opponent. The question was, would the Bucs defense hold up?By halftime, it was clear we were all asking the wrong questions.A bad interception killed what should have been at least three points on the Buccaneers’ first drive of the game.Another turnover came following a completion to Mike Evans which put the team on Cincinnati’s 27-yard line.The first big strike completion between Winston and DeSean Jackson likely kept him from being benched at halftime and a 69-yard drive capped off by Peyton Barber’s first rushing score of the year quelled concerns for the moment.But seven plays into their next possession, Winston dropped the ball into the arms of Bengals linebacker Jordan Evans after the Bucs had crossed midfield.The final straw, arguably too late Peyton Barber Jersey , came on the next Tampa Bay possession when rookie safety Jessie Bates undercut a Winston pass to Adam Humphries and returned it for a Bengals touchdown.In a game lost by a last second field goal, they were all big, but the last one hurts the most.It erased the good feelings felt by the big strike in the second quarter. Erased the two-straight three-and-outs forced by the Bucs defense. And erased Jameis Winston from the playing field.Ryan Fitzpatrick relieved Winston and put up points on three of the four possessions he led. Converted a two-point conversion. And with less than 20 minutes remaining in the game led his team to 18 points on 11-of-15 passing for 194-yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.Against the same banged up defense.The difference here wasn’t Cincinnati. The difference in this game was Winston.Fitzpatrick started the year leading his team to a 2-1 start and was promptly replaced following a game in Chicago where the entire team struggled, and one which potentially started the wheels moving on Mike Smith’s firing two weeks later.The Winston led Bucs got a win against the Browns at home in Week 7, and if you listened or read any media or fan postings afterwards, you’d have thought Tampa Bay lost.Call it what you want. Out of sync, trying to do too much Authentic Ryan Smith Jersey , not making smart decisions, etcetera. Ryan Fitzpatrick more often than not makes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense look like a competent unit able to win any game. Winston does not.Jason Licht said earlier today this team was focused on winning now and making a playoff push. Keeping Winston on the bench moving forward supports the claim. Starting him, does not.