On a day when the Bucs lost to a Steelers team they had no business losing to, here are the most disappointing players:

Bucs’ Four-Man Pass Rush

The Bucs have invested two first-round picks, a high second-round pick and $140 million in their current front four on defense. So, to have the Steelers’ rookie and backup quarterbacks consistently convert third-and long after third-and-long against a four-man rush is just unacceptable.

Yes, the Bucs got two sacks. But one of those was on a blitz where safety Antoine Winfield Jr. got home after linebacker Lavonte David made the initial play on the quarterback. Vita Vea, Shaq Barrett, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Logan Hall just did not dominate a below-average Steelers offensive line. And until they start showing a consistent level of pass rush, this defense will not be able to cover for an underperforming offense.

Luke Goedeke

Speaking of an underperforming offensive player, Goedeke has yet to have a really good game this season. What’s more concerning is over the course of the past four games, he has played progressively worse each week. In a continuation of a theme, Goedeke was routinely and soundly beaten throughout the game. Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward had his way with the rookie over and over and over.

First-Down Efficiency

Bucs RB Leonard Fournette – Photo by: USA Today

You will see third-down conversions often pointed to as reasons why a team wins or loses. You know how you de-prioritize third downs? By winning on first down. Using five yards as the cutoff for success, the Bucs were successful on a putrid 11 of 27 first downs. Play-calling was suspect with the choice to run on 14 of those 27. Those 14 runs averaged just 3.4 yards per play. Offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich is failing this offense by setting it up in consistently poor position where defenses can tee off on Tom Brady.

Execution by the offense is not without blame either. Poorly located throws, immediate pressure, missed blocks, dropped passes… This offense needs to self-scout quickly and decide whether it wants to show up for the rest of the season or not.

Red Zone Efficiency

This has been a theme all season. When the Bucs do move the ball down the field, they stall once they get into the red zone. It continued on Sunday as the Bucs ended up in the red zone four times and failed to get a touchdown on three occasions. The most infuriating was their second trip to the red zone, when they had first and goal from the Steelers’ 3-yard line.

On first down, running back Leonard Fournette fought his way to the one. On second down, the Bucs decided to pull Goedeke, which allowed the Steelers’ defense an opening to track Fournette down in the backfield. Then, on third down, Goedeke got beat again for a sack of Brady to force a Ryan Succop field goal.

Bucs Special Teams Coverage Units

Bucs P Jake Camarda – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The Bucs’ coverage units had a solid first half. But they were unable to continue that into the second half. On the opening kickoff of the third quarter, the Bucs’ kickoff coverage unit allowed Steelers return man Steven Sims to return the ball 89 yards to the 12, setting up an easy field goal. Zyon McCollum, Anthony Chesley and Genard Avery all had opportunities to stop the play in the Steelers’ zone and were unable to. The Bucs seem hell-bent on inducing kickoff returns this year. If they are going to continue to do that, the coverage unit has to play better than this.

Late in the third quarter, Camarda launched a 52-yard punt that Sims was able to return 24 yards to set up their offense at almost midfield. Chesley blew the tackle as Sims fielded the ball, allowing him to move up-field. Long snapper Zach Triner also whiffed on an attempted tackle that allowed Sims to continue to pick up yards.

Finally, Camarda from his own 25 booted a punt just 39 yards to the Pittsburgh 36. He was aided by poor decision making by the Steelers returner in going backward, creating a net of 46 yards. But ultimately, Camarda had a chance to flip the field and literally came up short.