Pittsburgh Steelers defeat Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-19: Recap, Betting Results & AiQ Picks
Sun, Oct 18, 2026 · NFL · Pittsburgh Steelers 26, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19
Pittsburgh Steelers 26, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19. The Steelers covered the -2 spread and the total went over 38.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers final score and game recap
Tampa Bay built a 13-3 halftime lead at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, October 18. Pittsburgh's offense came alive in the fourth quarter, and the teams went to overtime tied at 19-19. Pittsburgh scored 26 points to Tampa Bay's 19 to secure the victory.
Aaron Rodgers completed 33 of 49 passes for 253 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for Pittsburgh. Germie Bernard caught 11 passes for 87 yards and a touchdown. Jalon Daniels went 22 of 43 for 164 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for Tampa Bay, while Emeka Egbuka added seven catches for 48 yards and a touchdown.
Who covered the spread in Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Pittsburgh covered as a -2 favorite, winning by seven points. The spread opened at Tampa Bay +2.5 and closed at +2, with late money shifting half a point toward the Buccaneers.
Did Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers go over or under the total?
The game finished with 45 points, seven over the 38 closing total. Scoring by quarter: Pittsburgh 0-3-0-16-7, Tampa Bay 3-10-3-3-0. The total opened at 39.5 and moved down 1.5 to 38.
How did AiQ's Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers predictions do?
AiQ finished 25-27 across all graded picks on this game.
- Moneyline: Pittsburgh Steelers at -137 – WIN (+$72.99 on a $100 bet)
- Player props: 24-27 (-$57.79 on $100 per pick)
Player props went 24-27, a significant miss that offset the moneyline win.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers player prop results
AiQ's player prop slate went 24-27, netting -$57.79 on $100 per pick at listed prices.
- Jaylen Warren over 3.5 receptions at -117 – 2 receptions – LOSS
- Germie Bernard over 44.5 receiving yards at -114 – 87 yards – WIN
- Bucky Irving over 82.5 rush-reception yards at -116 – 49 yards – LOSS
- Bucky Irving over 67.5 rushing yards at -112 – 46 yards – LOSS
- Pat Freiermuth anytime touchdown at +320 – 0 touchdowns – LOSS
- Pat Freiermuth over 3.5 receptions at -101 – 2 receptions – LOSS
- Aaron Rodgers over 1.5 passing touchdowns at +146 – 2 touchdowns – WIN
- DK Metcalf over 4.5 receptions at +129 – 11 receptions – WIN
- Chris Godwin Jr. over 26.5 receiving yards at -112 – 37 yards – WIN
- Chris Godwin Jr. over 3.5 receptions at +132 – 4 receptions – WIN
- Jaylen Warren over 93.5 rush-reception yards at -111 – 78 yards – LOSS
- DK Metcalf over 50.5 receiving yards at -111 – 93 yards – WIN
Bernard's 87 receiving yards and Metcalf's 11 receptions and 93 yards were the standout overages. Bucky Irving and Pat Freiermuth underperformed their prop lines.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game prop results: first quarter, first half and team totals
- First-quarter moneyline: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the quarter (paid -108)
- First-half moneyline: Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the half (paid +100)
- First-quarter total 7.5: Under (paid -148); 3 points scored
- Pittsburgh Steelers team total 19.5: Over (paid -125); 26 points scored
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers team total 18.5: Over (paid -111); 19 points scored
- First-half total 19.5: Under (paid -120); 16 points scored
- First-half spread: Tampa Bay Buccaneers +0.5 covered (paid -118)
Early scoring was sparse, keeping both first-quarter and first-half totals under their lines. Both teams exceeded their individual team totals by game's end despite the sluggish start.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers odds: sportsbook value and line movement
The Buccaneers were +115 at 45%. The bookmaker's vig on the moneyline was 4.3%.
AiQ's pre-game expected value for the Steelers was -2.2% at -129, meaning the model favored Pittsburgh but found the price unfavorable. The market's implied 55% probability aligned with AiQ's calibrated estimate. Late spread money moved half a point toward Tampa Bay, yet Pittsburgh still covered the -2 line.
Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers betting trends: 2026 season
Pittsburgh improved to 4-2 overall with this win, sitting 3-0 at home and 1-2 on the road. Against the spread, the Steelers are 4-2 in six games with a recorded closing spread. They have hit the over in four of six total markets. Their last five results: W, W, L, W, L, giving them a two-game winning streak.
Tampa Bay fell to 1-5 overall, 0-4 at home and 1-1 away. The Buccaneers are 1-5 against the spread and have split the total line evenly at three overs and three unders. Their last five results: L, W, L, L, L.
What's next for Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
The Steelers travel to New Orleans to face the Saints on Sunday, October 25. The Buccaneers head to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, October 25.