Quick answer
- Winner
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Final score
- Pittsburgh Steelers 30–27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Halftime
- Pittsburgh Steelers 37–10 Tampa Bay Buccaneers at halftime
- FantasyHQ MVP
- B. Roethlisberger
- Top passer
- R. Fitzpatrick
- Biggest EPA play
- (6:00) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 89-V.McDonald for 75 yards, TOUCHDO…
- Game date
- 2018-09-24
Game summary
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30–27 on 2018-09-24. B. Roethlisberger posted a game-high +14.10 total EPA in the passing.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 34 combined points.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | |
| 7 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 27 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).
- 1
B. Roethlisberger · Pittsburgh Steelers · Passing · +14.10 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play - 2
V. McDonald · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +12.19 total EPA · 4 snaps · +3.05 EPA/play - 3
C. Brate · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +4.69 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.17 EPA/play - 4

Mitchell Evans · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +4.60 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play - 5
O. Howard · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Receiving · +4.35 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play - 6

JuJu Smith-Schuster · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +3.21 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play - 7
Jordan Washington · Pittsburgh Steelers · Receiving · +2.62 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.31 EPA/play - 8
R. Fitzpatrick · Tampa Bay Buccaneers · Passing · +1.93 total EPA · 59 snaps · +0.03 EPA/play
FantasyHQ Game MVP
Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.
FantasyHQ Game MVP
B. Roethlisberger — PIT · Passing
B. Roethlisberger posted the highest total EPA (+14.10) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Pittsburgh Steelers. Across 43 counted snaps, they averaged +0.33 EPA per play.
B. Roethlisberger's top snap (+7.46 EPA): (6:00) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 89-V.McDonald for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
R. Fitzpatrick led all passers in efficiency for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
R. Fitzpatrick (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) · 59 dropbacks · 50.8% completion · +1.8% CPOE · +0.03 EPA/play · +1.93 total EPA
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) · 43 dropbacks · 69.8% completion · +12.6% CPOE · +0.33 EPA/play · +14.10 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.
| Stat | ||
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.002 | -0.054 |
| Offensive success rate | 39.5% | 38.5% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.328 | +0.033 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.263 | -0.351 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.054 | +0.002 |
| Defensive success rate | 61.5% | 60.5% |
Drive & efficiency notes
Despite the final score, Pittsburgh Steelers generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.00 vs -0.05), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):
- Pittsburgh Steelers: -0.00 EPA/play (50th percentile vs. 2018 team-game averages)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: -0.05 EPA/play (38th percentile vs. 2018 team-game averages)
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 13 drives, -0.15 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 13 drives, -4.88 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Brate (R. Fitzpatrick pass)
Pittsburgh Steelers — V. McDonald (B. Roethlisberger pass) 
Pittsburgh Steelers — Anthony Brown (B. Roethlisberger pass) 
Pittsburgh Steelers — Bud Dupree
Pittsburgh Steelers — R. Switzer (B. Roethlisberger pass) 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Chris Godwin (R. Fitzpatrick pass) 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Mitchell Evans (R. Fitzpatrick pass)
Field goals

Pittsburgh Steelers — Chris Boswell
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Catanzaro
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — C. Catanzaro
Quarter by quarter
Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.
The opening quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 7–6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the PIT 4 (Q1 7:26) — (7:26) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle to 84-C.Brate for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q1 7:21); Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the TB 75 (Q1 6:00) — (6:00) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 89-V.McDonald for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
The second quarter: Pittsburgh Steelers won the period 31–3. Pittsburgh Steelers connected on a field goal from the TB 20 (Q2 12:19) — (12:19) 9-C.Boswell 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the TB 27 (Q2 10:40) — (10:40) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 84-A.Brown for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q2 10:33) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the PIT 98 (Q2 2:58) — (2:58) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left intended for 32-J.Rodgers INTERCEPTED by 48-B.Dupree at TB 10. 48-B.Dupree for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q2 2:50) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the PIT 3 (Q2 1:17) — (1:17) 7-C.Catanzaro 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone from the TB 1 (Q2 0:10) — (:10) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 10-R.Switzer for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Pittsburgh Steelers added 1 points from the TB 15 (Q2 0:06) — 9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.; Pittsburgh Steelers found the end zone (Q2 0:00) — END QUARTER 2.
The third quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 3–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers connected on a field goal from the PIT 10 (Q3 7:10) — (7:10) 7-C.Catanzaro 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger..
The fourth quarter: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the period 14–0. Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the PIT 4 (Q4 11:12) — (11:12) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left to 12-C.Godwin for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q4 11:06) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger.; Tampa Bay Buccaneers found the end zone from the PIT 24 (Q4 5:49) — (5:49) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep left to 13-M.Evans for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN [91-S.Tuitt].; Tampa Bay Buccaneers added 1 points from the PIT 15 (Q4 5:43).
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 6:00) — (6:00) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 89-V.McDonald for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 1:08) — (1:08) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass deep right to 19-J.Smith-Schuster to TB 49 for 43 yards (21-J.Evans) [93-G.McCoy]. Penalty on TB-90-J.Pierre-Paul, Defensive Offside, declined. PENALTY on TB-93-G.McCoy,
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 5:58) — (5:58) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep left intended for 13-M.Evans INTERCEPTED by 34-T.Edmunds at PIT 30. 34-T.Edmunds to TB 35 for 35 yards (32-J.Rodgers).
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 11:31) — (11:31) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle to 12-C.Godwin to TB 35 for 12 yards (25-A.Burns) [90-T.Watt]. FUMBLES (25-A.Burns), RECOVERED by PIT-28-M.Hilton at TB 35. 28-M.Hilton to TB 33 fo
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 10:03) — (10:03) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left intended for 19-J.Smith-Schuster INTERCEPTED by 21-J.Evans at TB 47. 21-J.Evans ran ob at TB 47 for no gain.
Impact plays
Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 6:00) — (6:00) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 89-V.McDonald for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 2:58) — (2:58) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left intended for 32-J.Rodgers INTERCEPTED by 48-B.Dupree at TB 10. 48-B.Dupree for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Q2 5:58) — (5:58) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep left intended for 13-M.Evans INTERCEPTED by 34-T.Edmunds at PIT 30. 34-T.Edmunds to TB 35 for 35 yards (32-J.Rodgers).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Q1 10:03) — (10:03) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left intended for 19-J.Smith-Schuster INTERCEPTED by 21-J.Evans at TB 47. 21-J.Evans ran ob at TB 47 for no gain.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q1 7:26 · PIT 4 · Score 0-6
(7:26) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short middle to 84-C.Brate for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q1 7:21 · PIT 15 · Score 0-7
7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger. PENALTY on PIT-93-D.McCullers, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q1 6:00 · TB 75 · Score 6-7
(6:00) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 89-V.McDonald for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers FG (+3) — Q2 12:19 · TB 20 · Score 9-7
(12:19) 9-C.Boswell 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 10:40 · TB 27 · Score 15-7
(10:40) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short right to 84-A.Brown for 27 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 10:33 · TB 15 · Score 16-7
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 2:58 · PIT 98 · Score 22-7
(2:58) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left intended for 32-J.Rodgers INTERCEPTED by 48-B.Dupree at TB 10. 48-B.Dupree for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 2:50 · TB 15 · Score 23-7
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q2 1:17 · PIT 3 · Score 23-10
(1:17) 7-C.Catanzaro 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+6) — Q2 0:10 · TB 1 · Score 29-10
(:10) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 10-R.Switzer for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Pittsburgh Steelers XP (+1) — Q2 0:06 · TB 15 · Score 30-10
9-C.Boswell extra point is GOOD, Center-57-K.Canaday, Holder-4-J.Berry.
Pittsburgh Steelers TD (+7) — Q2 0:00 · Score 30-10
END QUARTER 2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers FG (+3) — Q3 7:10 · PIT 10 · Score 30-13
(7:10) 7-C.Catanzaro 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 11:12 · PIT 4 · Score 30-19
(11:12) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass short left to 12-C.Godwin for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 11:06 · PIT 15 · Score 30-20
7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers TD (+6) — Q4 5:49 · PIT 24 · Score 30-26
(5:49) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass deep left to 13-M.Evans for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN [91-S.Tuitt].
Tampa Bay Buccaneers XP (+1) — Q4 5:43 · PIT 15 · Score 30-27
7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-89-G.Sanborn, Holder-9-B.Anger. PENALTY on PIT-97-C.Heyward, Unnecessary Roughness, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.
- Pittsburgh Steelers earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
- One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
- B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
- B. Roethlisberger (PIT) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
Frequently asked questions
Who won Pittsburgh Steelers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers on 2018-09-24?
The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30-27 in Week 3, 2018.
What was the score by quarter in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Q1: Pittsburgh Steelers 6, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7; Q2: Pittsburgh Steelers 31, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3; Q3: Pittsburgh Steelers 0, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3; Q4: Pittsburgh Steelers 0, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14; Final: Pittsburgh Steelers 30, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — C. Brate (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q1 7:26) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — V. McDonald (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q1 6:00) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — A. Brown (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 10:40) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — B. Dupree (Q2 2:58) Pittsburgh Steelers touchdown — R. Switzer (B. Roethlisberger pass) (Q2 0:10) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — C. Godwin (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q4 11:12) Tampa Bay Buccaneers touchdown — M. Evans (R. Fitzpatrick pass) (Q4 5:49) Pittsburgh Steelers field goal — C. Boswell (Q2 12:19, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — C. Catanzaro (Q2 1:17, 3 pts) Tampa Bay Buccaneers field goal — C. Catanzaro (Q3 7:10, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
R. Fitzpatrick (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), 50.8% completion, +1.8% CPOE, +0.03 EPA per dropback, +1.93 total passing EPA. B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers), 69.8% completion, +12.6% CPOE, +0.33 EPA per dropback, +14.10 total passing EPA.
Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Pittsburgh Steelers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
B. Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +14.10 total EPA on Passing plays. across 43 snaps. Their top snap (+7.46 EPA): (6:00) (Shotgun) 7-B.Roethlisberger pass short left to 89-V.McDonald for 75 yards, TOUCHDOWN..
Was Pittsburgh Steelers vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Pittsburgh Steelers won 30-27 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Pittsburgh Steelers
Entered 0-1 Now 1-1 W
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Entered 2-0 Now 2-1 L