Steelers Defeat Buccaneers 20-18: Reaction To Huge Upset Win

PITTSBURGH, PA — Few people gave the Steelers a chance to defeat Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. But the team's injury-ravaged defense kept Brady in check, and the offense survived the third-quarter loss of starting quarterback Kenny Picket to a concussion to defeat the Bucs.

Here's what sports writers across the country thought about the game:

• Nate Davis, USA Today: "Kenny Pickett notched his first NFL win by helping to orchestrate an upset of Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, it was a pricey triumph for Pickett, who suffered a concussion in the third quarter. Give Steelers vet Mitchell Trubisky after he completed nine of 12 passes for 144 yards and a TD in relief of Pickett. It was easily the best performance in a Steelers uniform for Trubisky, who was benched two weeks ago."

• Brooke Pryor, ESPN: "Maybe it was senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach Brian Flores' insight into Tom Brady's psyche. Maybe it was the defense figuring out how to get pressure without injured defensive end T.J. Watt. Whatever it was, the Steelers' defense kept Brady and the Buccaneers incheck, applying steady pressure and keeping the offense out of sync."

• Daniel Chavkin, Sports Illustrated: "Tom Brady is known for being a fiery competitor during games, and that side of him showed up again on Sunday. In the first half of the Buccaneers’ game against the Steelers, the Tampa Bay quarterback was frustrated by his offense’s lack of production. So, while the Steelers had the ball, Brady berated his offensive line on the sidelines."

• Kevin Patra, NFL.Com: "Mike Tomlin reminded the world he's still a hell of a coach. Starting a rookie QB against the Bucs and missing a host of defensive starters, not many gave the Steelers a chance. They led wire to wire. Despite the injury situation, Pittsburgh outplayed the Bucs. That's a sign of great coaching."

• Bryan DeArdo, CBS Sports: "Despite playing without several starters, the Steelers defense was able to provide pressure on Tom Brady while coming up with key plays in the secondary, none bigger than Devin Bush's breakup of Brady's pass for Chris Godwin on a two-point conversion that would have tied the game."

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