5 things we learned: Steelers WR Chase Claypool emerges as prime target in critical 3rd-down moments

Five things we learned from Steelers 20, Buccaneers 18:

1. Cut to the chase

Not only did Chase Claypool catch the touchdown pass — the first by a Steelers receiver this year — that provided a 20-12 lead in the fourth quarter, he had a pair of third-down grabs on the final drive that helped run out the clock.

Tom Brady had thrown an 11-yard touchdown pass to Leonard Fournette with 4 minutes, 38 seconds remaining to cut the lead to two. When Devin Bush broke up the 2-point conversion pass, it meant Brady would get a chance at a comeback only if the Steelers lost possession.

Thanks to Claypool, they never did.

His catch on third-and-15 went for 17 yards, moving the sticks with less than three minutes left in the game. His best catch, though, came on third-and-11 from the Steelers 36. He made a twisting catch along the sideline for 26 yards that stopped the clock with 2:07 remaining. Mitch Trubisky took care of the rest with a pair of runs that provided another first down and ended the game.

Claypool entered the game with 16 catches for 129 yards in five games. He led the Steelers with seven receptions for 96 yards. His 13.7 yards per catch also represented a season high.

It was a step forward for a receiver who has fallen behind Diontae Johnson and George Pickens as the primary targets.

2. Small ball

Perhaps the most impressive thing about the patchwork secondary the Steelers were forced to dress against the Buccaneers was the lack of big plays it surrendered.

A week earlier, in a game Cam Sutton, Levi Wallace and Minkah Fitzpatrick started, the defense was torched for 432 passing yards and included touchdown receptions of 98, 62 and 24 yards. Those touchdowns were among 10 plays that gained more than 20 yards for the Bills.

Contrast that to what transpired against Tampa Bay. With James Pierre and Josh Jackson starting at cornerback and Quincy Wilson and Elijah Riley getting snaps in the secondary, the defense permitted just 243 passing yards by the seven-time Super Bowl winner Brady. As far as pass plays that gained more than 20 yards, the Steelers yielded just two, the longest netting 28 yards.

3. Clock mismanagement

Had the Bucs tied the score in the fourth quarter and eventually won the game, a big talking point would have been Mike Tomlin’s clock usage in the final minute of the first half.

The Steelers were leading 10-6 when they got the ball back via punt on their 14 with 46 seconds left in the half. With a rookie starting his first home game, it made sense for the Steelers to take the conservative approach and run out the clock.

Yet, Pickett dropped back to pass on first down and threw an incompletion. It was then the Steelers decided to get conservative, calling a pair of runs to Najee Harris. Trouble was, Tampa Bay had two timeouts left and used them accordingly. This led to a punt, and Tampa Bay took over at midfield with 23 seconds left in the half.

That left Brady enough time to get into range for Ryan Succop to make a 54-yard field goal as time expired on the half.

4. Sweeping changes

It might be time for Matt Canada to eliminate — or greatly reduce — the jet sweep/end around from his playbook.

Of the 27 running plays called (not including kneel downs), five went to wide receivers for a sum of 12 yards. This figure was buoyed by Claypool gaining 8 yards on his only carry. Johnson had two carries for 8 yards, Pickens gained a yard on one try and Steven Sims lost 5 yards on his only attempt.

The jet sweep can be a nice change of pace if used sparingly. The Steelers, though, have become too predictable at running it and the gains — at least against the Bucs — weren’t worth it.

5. Backed up

While the absence of four veteran defensive backs wasn’t felt when Brady had the ball in his hands, it might have come into play when Succop was called upon to use his right foot. The Steelers were flagged twice for neutral zone infractions on field goal attempts. Tre Norwood was the guilty party on one, and James Pierre was flagged on the second try. Neither penalty helped the Bucs get a first down; Succop merely moved 5 yards closer on his chip shots.

Still, it’s something special teams coach Danny Smith will need to clean up this week.

Nobody had as bad a day when it came to penalties as left guard Kevin Dotson. He was penalized three times: once on a false start and twice for holding.