Game story
In Week 13 of the 2006 NFL season on 2006-12-03, the Pittsburgh Steelers took care of business against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, pulling away with a 20–3 final that controlled the game from start to finish.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 13 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
B. Gradkowski (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) paced the passing game, with -24.70 total EPA, and -8.1% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, N. Washington (Pittsburgh Steelers) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.24 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-15.4% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Tampa Bay Buccaneers changed the game: (3:12) 7-B.Gradkowski pass short right intended for 84-J.Galloway INTERCEPTED by 50-L.Foote at TB 38. 50-L.Foote to TB 27 for 11 yards (23-J.Phillips).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 7 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 N. Washington · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +6.24 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.08 EPA/play
- 2 M. Clayton · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +5.88 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.47 EPA/play
- 3 J. Galloway · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +4.26 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.42 EPA/play
- 4 H. Miller · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +4.19 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.10 EPA/play
- 5 C. Wilson · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.95 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.98 EPA/play
- 6 J. Tuman · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.06 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.06 EPA/play
- 7 E. Graham · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Rushing · +1.54 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
- 8 S. Holmes · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +1.43 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.43 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
N. Washington — PIT · Receiving
N. Washington posted the highest total EPA (+6.24) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Pittsburgh Steelers's efficiency. Across 3 counted snaps, they averaged +2.08 EPA per play.
The signature play (-6.00 EPA) came from Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (2:08) 7-B.Gradkowski pass short left intended for 85-M.Stovall INTERCEPTED by 20-B.McFadden at PIT -7. Touchback.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Tuman (B. Roethlisberger pass)
- Pittsburgh Steelers — H. Miller (B. Roethlisberger pass)
Field goals
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed
- Pittsburgh Steelers — J. Reed
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — M. Bryant
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 7–0. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the TB 2 (Q1 45:34) — (:34) #79 Essex reports as eligible receiver 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 84-J.Tuman for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q1 45:29) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..
The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 3–0. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the TB 32 (Q2 32:00) — (2:00) 3-J.Reed 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki..
The fourth quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 10–3. Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the TB 16 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 83-H.Miller for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the TB 2 (Q4 14:52) — 3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the TB 21 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 3-J.Reed 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the PIT 9 (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 3-M.Bryant 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-D.Moore, Holder-9-J.Bidwell..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 48:12) — (3:12) 7-B.Gradkowski pass short right intended for 84-J.Galloway INTERCEPTED by 50-L.Foote at TB 38. 50-L.Foote to TB 27 for 11 yards (23-J.Phillips).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 56:09) — (11:09) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right intended for 85-N.Washington INTERCEPTED by 55-D.Brooks at TB 32. 55-D.Brooks to TB 41 for 9 yards (85-N.Washington).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 17:08) — (2:08) 7-B.Gradkowski pass short left intended for 85-M.Stovall INTERCEPTED by 20-B.McFadden at PIT -7. Touchback.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 19:47) — (4:47) 7-B.Gradkowski pass deep middle to 84-J.Galloway to PIT 15 for 24 yards (20-B.McFadden).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 56:46) — (11:46) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 83-H.Miller to TB 38 for 11 yards (21-J.Bolden).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 17:08) — (2:08) 7-B.Gradkowski pass short left intended for 85-M.Stovall INTERCEPTED by 20-B.McFadden at PIT -7. Touchback.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 56:09) — (11:09) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right intended for 85-N.Washington INTERCEPTED by 55-D.Brooks at TB 32. 55-D.Brooks to TB 41 for 9 yards (85-N.Washington).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q1 48:12) — (3:12) 7-B.Gradkowski pass short right intended for 84-J.Galloway INTERCEPTED by 50-L.Foote at TB 38. 50-L.Foote to TB 27 for 11 yards (23-J.Phillips).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q3 25:42) — (10:42) 7-B.Gradkowski pass short left to 24-C.Williams to PIT 44 for 2 yards (51-J.Farrior). FUMBLES (51-J.Farrior), RECOVERED by PIT-50-L.Foote at PIT 44. 50-L.Foote to PIT 44 for no gain (24-C.Will
Quarterback report card
B.Gradkowski led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- B.Gradkowski (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 42 dropbacks · 47.6% completion · -8.1% CPOE · -0.59 EPA/play · -24.70 total EPA
- B.Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 28 dropbacks · 42.9% completion · -10.3% CPOE · -0.00 EPA/play · -0.01 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Pittsburgh Steelers |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.313 | -0.133 |
| Offensive success rate | 41.2% | 35.7% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.588 | -0.000 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.031 | -0.255 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.133 | +0.313 |
| Defensive success rate | 64.3% | 58.8% |
By the numbers
Pittsburgh Steelers held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.13 vs -0.31), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 13 drives, -9.32 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 13 drives, -26.63 total EPA, 1 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Pittsburgh Steelers leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- N. Washington (Pittsburgh Steelers) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- B. Gradkowski (TB) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- B. Roethlisberger (PIT) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 45:34 · TB 2 · Score 0-6
(:34) #79 Essex reports as eligible receiver 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short middle to 84-J.Tuman for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q1 45:29 · TB 2 · Score 0-7
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 32:00 · TB 32 · Score 0-10
(2:00) 3-J.Reed 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. - Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q4 15:00 · TB 16 · Score 0-16
(15:00) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep left to 83-H.Miller for 16 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q4 14:52 · TB 2 · Score 0-17
3-J.Reed extra point is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. - Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q4 2:00 · TB 21 · Score 0-20
(2:00) 3-J.Reed 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-60-G.Warren, Holder-17-C.Gardocki. - Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q4 0:04 · PIT 9 · Score 3-20
(:04) 3-M.Bryant 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-83-D.Moore, Holder-9-J.Bidwell.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-3 in Week 13, 2006 on 2006-12-03.
What was the final score of Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
The final score was Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, Pittsburgh Steelers 20 (TB 3-20 PIT) in Week 13, 2006 on 2006-12-03.
What was the score by quarter in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Q1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 7; Q2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0, Pittsburgh Steelers 3; Q4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, Pittsburgh Steelers 10; Final: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3, Pittsburgh Steelers 20.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — J. Tuman (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 45:34) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — H. Miller (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q4 15:00) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — J. Reed (Q2 32:00, 3 pts) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — J. Reed (Q4 2:00, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — M. Bryant (Q4 0:04, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
B. Gradkowski (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 47.6% completion, -8.1% CPOE, -0.59 EPA per dropback, -24.70 total passing EPA. B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 42.9% completion, -10.3% CPOE, -0.00 EPA per dropback, -0.01 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Pittsburgh Steelers?
N. Washington (Pittsburgh Steelers) led the game in total EPA with +6.24 on receiving plays. across 3 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-6.00 EPA): (2:08) 7-B.Gradkowski pass short left intended for 85-M.Stovall INTERCEPTED by 20-B.McFadden at PIT -7. Touchback.. The biggest win-probability swing was -15.4%.
Season records after this game
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 3-8 Now 3-9 L
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 4-7 Now 5-7 W
Fantasy · fantasyhq.co
