Vincent Jackson scored a touchdown with seven seconds remaining to guide his side to a shock comeback 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.
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The Buccaneers got off to the perfect start in the game when defensive end Michael Johnson got to Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and sacked him, forcing a fumble.
The visitors gathered the ball and took over on offense. Mike Glennon then lifted a fade to the back of the endzone for a touchdown to receiver Mike Evans, for his first score in his NFL career.
A 25-yard punt return from Solomon Patton set up another score for the Buccaneers as Glennon put his side inside field goal range, and rookie Patrick Murray nailed his 50-yard kick through the posts.
The Steelers managed to get back on track when Roethlisberger connected with Markus Wheaton on two big completions downfield, but were forced to settle for three points from the boot of Shaun Suisham.
Pittsburgh drew level when Roethlisberger moved his side back into the redzone and on third down and goal found Antonio Brown on a slant route for an 11-yard score.
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The home side took the lead for the first time in the game when Roethlisberger lofted a throw deep into the endzone for Brown, and the receiver made an incredible catch to haul in the ball for the 27-yard touchdown.
After the break, Tampa Bay managed to haul themselves level courtesy of a three-yard run into the endzone from running back Doug Martin, after Glennon and Evans had combined for a 40-yard pass play.
However, the Steelers showed good skill on the offensive side of the ball again to march down the field and Roethlisberger notched his third touchdown strike of the game when he found tight end Heath Miller for a five-yard score.
Murray brought the Buccaneers within four points when he nailed a 27-yard field goal through the posts. The visitors drove down the field late in the game to try to win the match, but were initially held out of the endzone by the Steelers.
A poor punt from the home side allowed Glennon one more chance to fire his side to victory and he hit Louis Murphy for a 41-yard reception to the Steelers' five-yard line. Glennon held his nerve again to hit Jackson in the endzone for the winning touchdown.
Simon Sinclair
