Turning Point, Week 4: Bucs use deep pass to stun Steelers, Tampa Bay fans

Ten days ago, the Buccaneers took the field against the Falcons and the game was over before it started. On Sunday against the Steelers, the game came down to the final seconds.

And when time expired, the Bucs had achieved several firsts they had waited for too long to accomplish: their first win of the season (in quarterback Mike Glennon's first start of the season), their first win under head coach Lovie Smith and their first ever win in Pittsburgh.

Sunday also marked the first time this season the Buccaneers took more than the occasional shot downfield. In the 27-24 win, the Bucs completed five passing plays of 20 or more yards (including two for at least 40 yards), which matched their total over their first three games combined.

Four of those deep plays came during the fourth quarter, and each was a potential game changer.

1. Steelers 24, Buccaneers 17; 3rd-and-5 from the Pittsburgh 41-yard line; 12:53 remaining: Glennon, who was 0-for-3 on deep passes against the Falcons last week, connects with Louis Murphy up the middle on a pass that travels 21 yards (Murphy gains 10 more yards after the catch).

At the start of the quarter, the Buccaneers' win probability stood at 19 percent, according to advancedfootballanalytics.com. After Murphy's 31-yard gain, it climbs to 41 percent. Glennon sees Murphy in one-on-one coverage again two plays later, but his throw to the back of the end zone is off the mark and the Bucs eventually settle for a field goal to cut the Steelers' lead to 24-20.

2. Steelers 24, Buccaneers 20; 3rd-and-5 from the Tampa Bay 30; 6:18 remaining: A 22-yard completion to second-year receiver Russell Shepard renews the Buccaneers' hopes of an upset, but back-to-back delay of game and false start penalties stall their progress, and their win probability slides back to 28 percent.

3. Steelers 24, Buccaneers 20; 2nd-and-23 from the Tampa Bay 39; 4:53 remaining: After the penalties, Glennon beats the Steelers' blitz by hitting tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins on a corner route for a 21-yard gain. A neutral zone infraction gives the Buccaneers a first down, but Glennon can't cap the drive with a go-ahead touchdown as he misses on three straight passes from the 14-yard line.

With only 1:44 left and the Buccaneers down to two timeouts, it seems as though there will be no comeback. The Buccaneers are going to head to New Orleans next week still seeking their first win.

Until the defense forces a three-and-out. Until Steelers punter Brad Wing fails to kick the ball beyond midfield.

4. Steelers 24, Buccaneers 20; 2nd-and-10 from the Pittsburgh 46; 0:35 remaining: This time, Glennon delivers, reaching Murphy on a deep post route for a 41-yard gain. Let's take a closer look.

Murphy lines up wide right, and Seferian-Jenkins and Shepard line up to the left of him. Shepard runs about 10 yards before crossing over the middle and drawing the attention of safety Mike Mitchell. Murphy and Seferian-Jenkins both run post routes. Cornerback Brice McCain loses Seferian-Jenkins and appears to be expecting help from the safety, but Mitchell isn't there. Seferian-Jenkins, running the deeper route, attracts cornerback Cortez Allen, thus clearing the way for Murphy, who reaches the 5-yard line before being dragged down. The play catapults the Buccaneers' win probability from 23 percent to 78 percent.

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Three plays later, Glennon completes the comeback as a diving Vincent Jackson cradles the game-winning touchdown pass.

Instead of the Buccaneers seeking their first win in New Orleans next week, they'll be seeking a different first: their first winning streak of 2014. Check back Thursday morning for our scouting report on the Saints.

Contact Thomas Bassinger at tbassinger@tampabay.com. Follow @tbassfootball.