Steelers vs. Buccaneers NFL Preseason Week 1 Picks, Predictions, Best Bets

One year ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers were amidst a quarterback competition between Mitchell Trubisky and Kenny Pickett. Today, the team’s first preseason game is still home to a quarterback competition. Only this time, that battle is happening on the other side of the field for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Baker Mayfield is set to make his Bucs debut as he looks to fend off 2021 second-round quarterback Kyle Trask. That will certainly be one of the top stories to watch throughout the preseason, kicking off down in Tampa Bay under the Friday night lights.

Mayfield enjoyed a small revival with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022, going 2-3 down the stretch with no Cooper Kupp and a myriad of injuries hampering the entire squad. His quarterback rating of 86.4 was his highest since 2020, albeit in a small five-game sample size.

Trask has attempted just nine passes in the regular season since being drafted and failed to win the backup job behind Tom Brady for much of his NFL days thus far. Trask was a Heisman candidate with the Florida Gators, and the organization surely wants to see its second-round prospect take the reins this season.

Mayfield will start Friday's game, with ESPN reporting that Trask will get the same opportunity next week.

The Steelers, on the other hand, have their quarterback. The wide receivers, running backs, and tight ends are essentially set. The fiercest battle on the offensive side of the ball is set in the trenches at offensive tackle between 2022 starter Dan Moore and first-round rookie Broderick Jones.

Pittsburgh is hoping for a sizeable jump from Pickett in his second season, with a solid group of weapons helping him do just that. Mike Tomlin shared his belief in playing starters in the preseason this week, with Pickett likely among the bunch.

Now it’s time to take a sizeable leap in your sportsbook’s accounts, starting with a breakdown of the spread.

Steelers vs Buccaneers Betting Odds and Picks

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook. Check out other NFL betting sites.