Jamel Dean Picks Off Todd Bowles’ Bucs in Steelers OT Win
Dean's late fourth-quarter interception of Jalon Daniels set up the tying field goal in his first game against the Tampa Bay coaching staff that drafted him.
Jamel Dean intercepted Jalon Daniels with under two minutes remaining in regulation Sunday, breaking a 16-16 tie and setting up the field goal that sent the Pittsburgh Steelers to an overtime victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The turnover was Dean’s first interception for Pittsburgh after seven seasons learning the secondary under the man calling plays for Tampa Bay: head coach Todd Bowles.
Daniels, pressed into starting duty with Baker Mayfield sidelined, was sacked five times and threw two interceptions during a rough afternoon. Dean’s pick came at the most damaging possible moment for a backup quarterback trying to keep his team alive on the road.
“It was a bittersweet moment,” Dean said, according to Greg Auman of Fox Sports. “For the first time, I could be on the opposite side to see what that experience is like. At the same time, I was like ‘I guess I’ve got to go against the guy that taught me the game of football.’ I don’t want his teachings to go to waste. Hopefully, he’s proud of me knowing that everything he taught me has translated to another organization.”
The Steelers signed Dean to a three-year, $36.75 million contract this offseason to overhaul a secondary that ranked 24th in pass defense EPA last year. He played 96 games in Tampa Bay, recording 11 interceptions while Bowles served first as defensive coordinator and later as head coach. That long apprenticeship meant Dean knew exactly how Bowles structures protections and routes for opposing quarterbacks — knowledge he used directly against his former mentor on Sunday.
Pittsburgh improved to 4-2 despite needing extra time to put away a Buccaneers offense missing its starter. The margin for error shrinks considerably when a playoff-contending defense struggles to close out a second-string quarterback in regulation. Head coach Mike McCarthy‘s staff will review the tape before the team travels to Paris to face the New Orleans Saints next week.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey also factored heavily into the defensive effort against Tampa Bay, contributing what teammates described as a heroic day that included involvement in the game-winning play. McCarthy himself dealt with an injury scare during the contest, though team officials confirmed afterward it was not serious.
