The Tampa Bay Buccaneers return home in Week 6 to face the Pittsburgh Steelers, looking to build on their 24-16 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Pittsburgh presents a different challenge with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a productive rushing attack led by Jaylen Warren, and a defense that has shown both strengths and weaknesses this season.
To better understand Tampa Bay's Sunday opponent, we caught up with Curt Popejoy, lead writer for Steelers Wire, to discuss Pittsburgh's offensive identity, its concerns about Bucky Irving, and what the departure of special teams coordinator Danny Smith has meant for the Steelers.
Here's what he had to say.
1. How has Aaron Rodgers changed Pittsburgh's offensive identity this season, and where have you seen the biggest improvements or struggles through the first five weeks?
Curt Popejoy: "I don't think it's so much that Aaron Rodgers has changed the identity so much as the system Mike McCarthy has brought with him suits Rodgers better. The biggest improvement in terms of the passing game has been the inclusion of the tight end more in the passing offense and how much that has opened up the run game."
2. Tampa Bay is coming off a game in which Bucky Irving rushed for 165 yards against Dallas. How concerned should Pittsburgh be about the Buccaneers' rushing attack, and where has the Steelers' defense been most vulnerable against the run?
Curt Popejoy: "I think the Steelers should always be concerned as long as they have games where they struggle to tackle. They focused heavily on stopping Jonathan Taylor last week and did a great job but they are just as likely to backslide this week and struggle to slow down Irving."
3. Jaylen Warren brings versatility as both a runner and receiver out of the backfield. How important has he been to Pittsburgh's offense, and which other playmakers should Tampa Bay's defense be particularly concerned about?
Curt Popejoy: "Warren is easily the team MVP at this point. When Rico Dowdle went down with an injury, the coaches put it on Warren to be the feature back, and he has answered the call in a huge way. The changes on the right side of the offensive line has helped him as well but Warren is the guy the offense works through right now. As for other players, rookie wide receiver Germie Bernard is going to start this week and he's a pretty special talent who is finally getting a shot and their tandem of tight ends have been good when called on."
4. Former Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith is now running Tampa Bay's unit, with Miles Killebrew also making the move. How significant were those departures for Pittsburgh, and what changes have you noticed on special teams since Smith left?
Curt Popejoy: "The Steelers special teams has stunk this year and you can see that spark is gone without Danny Smith coaching them up. As far as Killebrew, I really wanted him to return but at this point the issues are far more about coaching."
5. What matchup or individual battle do you believe will ultimately decide Sunday's game, and what is your final score prediction?
Curt Popejoy: "The positional matchups to watch are the Bucs receivers against a banged-up Steelers secondary and the Steelers edge defenders against the Bucs offensive tackles. If the Steelers are going to win this game, it might have to be on defense but despite all that, I give the edge here to the better quarterback. I really liked Jalon Daniels coming out of KU but I think Rodgers will get the better of him. Steelers 31, Bucs 24"
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Behind enemy lines: Buccaneers vs. Steelers Week 6