As the NFL heads into Week 2 of the preseason, the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Pittsburgh Steelers will feature a variety of players looking to prove they belong on a football field.
The Buccaneers looked strong in their preseason opener, cruising past the Tennessee Titans by a 29-7 score at Raymond James Stadium. Quarterback Kyle Trask once again offered preseason glimpses of profiling as a reliable backup, completing 12 of 16 passes for 129 yards in the first half.
Running back Sean Tucker scored Tampa Bay’s first touchdown, while Jalen McMillan and rookie Emeka Egbuka flashed big-play potential. Backup quarterback Connor Bazelak got some reps, completing six of nine passes for 48 yards. On the defensive side, Tampa Bay forced three interceptions and broke up eight passes, limiting the Titans to seven points.
Pittsburgh also started the preseason with a win, beating the Jacksonville Jaguars, 31-25. With starter Aaron Rodgers resting, Mason Rudolph started and went 9-for-10 for 84 yards and a touchdown. Skylar Thompson came in during the second quarter and threw for 233 yards and three touchdowns on 20-for-28 passing.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Pittsburgh Steelers
Game Details
Date: Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pa.
How to Watch
TV: CBS, NBC/8 (Tampa Bay), CBS/2 (Pittsburgh)
Live Stream: NFL+ and NFL Network
Radio: WXTB 97.9 (Tampa Bay), WDVE 102.5 FM & WBGG 970 AM (Pittsburgh)
Look Ahead to the 2025 Season for Both Teams
The Buccaneers’ goal going into 2025 is to win the NFC South for the fifth consecutive year. With Baker Mayfield leading the way for the third straight season, Tampa Bay is hoping to achieve postseason success, something that’s been relatively rare since Tom Brady retired.
With Chris Godwin still nurturing his dislocated ankle, Mike Evans, McMillan and Egbuka will carry the bulk of the workload in the passing game to open the season.
Practice in Pittsburgh 📍#WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/KuVrpxTlkM
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) August 13, 2025
Meanwhile, the Steelers hope their offseason shakeup will translate into real results on the field. Rodgers takes over as quarterback, joining a roster now bolstered by star acquisitions DK Metcalf, Jonnu Smith, and lockdown corner Jalen Ramsey.
Pittsburgh also shored up depth across key positions, including wide receiver, tight end, and the defensive line, giving coach Mike Tomlin more options as the team pushes to improve on consecutive 10-7 finishes and early playoff exits.
This upcoming preseason game will provide fans with a preview of the upcoming season. The Steelers will assess whether new players can step up and have an instant impact, while Tampa Bay will look to see how well its older stars and up-and-coming younger players mesh, especially on defense.
The game is an opportunity to observe how these two redesigned rosters establish their identities for the upcoming season, going beyond statistics and plays.
