TB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
74.4PFM Team Score#25 NFL
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: PFM Team Comparison
PFM rates the Pittsburgh Steelers higher than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers overall, with a clear advantage. The main reasons are the stronger coaching operation and the less unsettled quarterback situation.
Current PFM Team Scores
Clear edgePIT
Pittsburgh Steelers
78.7PFM Team Score#17 NFL
WEEK 6 MATCHUP
Sunday, Oct. 18 1:00 PM ET
View on NFL Schedule PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the Pittsburgh Steelers Higher
Mike McCarthy gives the Pittsburgh Steelers the stronger coaching operation. Preparation and in-game answers matter once the opening script no longer controls the game. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are closest in offense, where the teams remain essentially even.
Pittsburgh also brings the less unsettled quarterback situation. Pittsburgh adds the stronger defense. That is enough to keep the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Tampa Bay vs. Pittsburgh Across the Core Pillars
The farther a team reaches, the stronger the rating. Each category also calls out which team has the edge and the exact gap. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team.
TBTampa Bay Buccaneers
PITPittsburgh Steelers
TAMPA BAY’S BEST PUSHBACK
Offense Is Tampa Bay’s Only Close Fight
Tampa Bay's offense gives the team one place to push back. Tampa Bay sits only 0.1 points behind Pittsburgh in Offense, but close is not the same as an edge. Pittsburgh still has Aaron Rodgers at quarterback and the deeper roster, two advantages the Buccaneers cannot match in this comparison.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
TB74.4
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 74.4PIT78.7
Pittsburgh Steelers 78.7Overall NFL Rank
TB#25
Tampa Bay Buccaneers #25PIT#17
Pittsburgh Steelers #17QB Stability
TB68.8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 68.8PIT74.6
Pittsburgh Steelers 74.6Roster Strength
TB78.4
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 78.4PIT78.8
Pittsburgh Steelers 78.8Coaching Direction
TB76.3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 76.3PIT83.4
Pittsburgh Steelers 83.4Recent Performance
TB71.2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 71.2PIT79.3
Pittsburgh Steelers 79.3Offense
TB78.5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 78.5PIT78.6
Pittsburgh Steelers 78.6Defense
TB81.1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 81.1PIT83.2
Pittsburgh Steelers 83.2Franchise Direction
TB75.1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75.1PIT74.9
Pittsburgh Steelers 74.9Explosiveness
TB72.1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 72.1PIT75.5
Pittsburgh Steelers 75.5Conference Rank
TB#13
Tampa Bay Buccaneers #13PIT#9
Pittsburgh Steelers #9Division Rank
TB#3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers #3PIT#3
Pittsburgh Steelers #3Outlook
TBPlayoff Long ShotPITIn the Playoff Mix
Stronger outlook: Pittsburgh SteelersSCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Remaining schedule rank: #23
Toughest stretch: Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
Strongest opponents: Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears
Next five difficulty: 79.5
View Tampa Bay Buccaneers Road AheadPittsburgh Steelers
Remaining schedule rank: #26
Toughest stretch: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens
Strongest opponents: Jacksonville Jaguars, Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos
Next five difficulty: 76.3
View Pittsburgh Steelers Road AheadTampa Bay has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 23. The strongest opponents include Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears. Pittsburgh also has the more favorable road, which adds to the stronger coaching operation and the less unsettled quarterback situation.
Explore Both Team Dashboards
Ratings and Schedule Freshness
PFM ratings updated October 13, 2026. Schedule data updated October 12, 2026.
How to Read This Comparison
PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The Team DNA comparison puts five core pillars on the same 0–100 scale, while the full rows show every current category.
PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.
PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams