Steelers vs Buccaneers Prediction 8/16/25 NFL Picks Today

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Pittsburgh Steelers meet Saturday in NFL preseason action from Acrisure Stadium. This will be the second exhibition game for both teams. Here’s a Steelers vs Buccaneers prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Steelers vs Buccaneers pick.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Preview

Tampa Bay was able to keep rolling in 2024, however their season ended pretty abruptly once the playoffs began. The Bucs opened up the year very well, going 3-1 across their first four games before losing five of the next six. The good news is that Tampa was able to rally and recover from that midseason slump, pushing to win six of their final seven for a 10-7 overall record and their fourth straight NFC South championship. The playoffs didn’t go well for Tampa Bay however, as they fell to the surprising Washington Commanders 23-20 in a nail-biter finish.

In their first preseason action of the 2025 season, the Buccaneers looked pretty good overall. Tampa took on the Tennessee Titans, heading into halftime with a modest 13-7 edge. Following a scoreless third, the Bucs finished off on a 16-0 run on the way to a 29-7 victory. Kyle Trask did the lion’s share of the QB work, going 12-of-16 for 129 yards. The RB tandem of Owen Wright (18 carries; 87 yards; TD) and Sean Tucker (13 carries; 50 yards; TD) paced the Bucs on the ground. Tops in receiving was Ryan Miller with six catches for 66 yards. Miller was the only Tampa Bay player with more than two receptions in the game.

Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Preview

Over on the Steelers’ side, they had quite the wild run in 2024. Pittsburgh was able to match their win total from the 2023 season, going 10-7 overall. A late-season slump didn’t help matters though, as the Steelers would lose each of their final four games. That run caused Pittsburgh to give up their lead in the AFC North, ultimately finishing second. In the Wild Card Round, the Steelers’ postseason woes continued with a loss to the rival Baltimore Ravens 28-14. It was Pittsburgh’s sixth straight postseason appearance with a first-game loss.

The Steelers met up with the Jacksonville Jaguars last week in their first preseason action of the 2025 campaign. Pittsburgh managed to put up points in every quarter (but also surrendered points in every quarter) on the way to a 31-25 victory. The Steelers were led by QB Skylar Thompson, who looked very good on 20-of-28 passing for 233 yards and three scores. Mason Rudolph also did well with 9-of-10 passing for 84 yards and a touchdown of his own. Lew Nichols led the rushers on six carries for 31 yards, while Ke’Shawn Williams added two receptions for 55 yards and a TD. Scott Miller had a team-high (tie) four catches for 47 yards as well.

Pittsburgh Steelers Player Prop Facts

• Jonnu Smith has scored at least one touchdown in each of his last six appearances against AFC opponents.
• Aaron Rodgers has recorded 18+ rushing yards in four of his five previous September appearances against AFC East opponents.
• Aaron Rodgers has recorded 281+ passing yards in each of his last three September appearances with his team as a favorite against AFC East opponents.
• Jonnu Smith has recorded 26+ receiving yards in each of his last 10 appearances.
• Jonnu Smith has recorded 26+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his last 10 appearances.
• Jonnu Smith has scored the last touchdown in three of his last four Sunday appearances with his team as a favorite.
• Aaron Rodgers has recorded 25+ completions in each of his last three appearances against the Jets.
• Chris Boswell ranked 1st in the NFL in made field goals (41) last season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Player Prop Facts

• Jalen McMillan has scored at least one touchdown in each of the Buccaneers’ last five regular season games.
• Baker Mayfield has recorded 288+ passing yards in four of the Buccaneers’ last five Sunday regular season games.
• Jalen McMillan has recorded 51+ receiving yards in each of the Buccaneers’ last five regular season games.
• Rachaad White has recorded 47+ rushing and receiving yards in 13 of his last 14 Sunday road appearances.
• Rachaad White has recorded 37+ rushing yards in each of the Buccaneers’ last six road games played on the East Coast.
• Baker Mayfield has recorded 24+ completions in each of the Buccaneers’ last three September games as favorites.
• Baker Mayfield recorded the equal-most passing touchdowns in a single game last season (5 vs Panthers, Week 17).

Steelers vs Buccaneers Prediction

I’m staying with the Steelers. Granted, it’s just one preseason game, but the Pittsburgh offense looked pretty darn good—especially in the passing game. The Steelers rattled off 367 total yards (301 passing), 5.6 yards per play, 25 first downs, no turnovers and an 8-of-13 rate on third-down tries. Defensively the team was a mixed bag with no turnovers, 339 yards allowed (273 passing) and 5.6 yards per play. That said, the Steelers did well on third downs (3-of-10) and held the rush to just 66 yards. Overall, it wasn’t too bad of an effort.

As for Tampa Bay, they came up big on defense versus the Titans in their first preseason outing, posting three interceptions, 11 first downs allowed and just 201 total yards (135 passing) allowed alongside an average of 3.6 yards per play. The offense was pretty well-balanced also, with 170 passing yards, 178 rush yards and 20 first downs. This should be a pretty fun preseason matchup if both teams continue on their respective trajectories.