The prospects of an undefeated season were dashed last week when the Bucs rallied but fell short to the Steelers on Monday Night Football, 30-27. Of course, we’re being snarky but if we told you that Ryan Fitzpatrick would be among the league’s elite passers after three weeks into the season you may have considered that equally as absurd. In Week 3, Fitzpatrick continued his assault on NFL record books with 411 yards and three touchdown passes but it was the three interceptions that tarnished his effort. Nevertheless, Fitzpatrick, who set an NFL record with three consecutive 400-yard passing games to start the season, should be under center again while the erstwhile starter, Jameis Winston, sits and waits for his opportunity.

The Bucs’ management has some decisions to make, with the first being what was once thought to be a perfunctory exercise in triggering Winston’s fifth year on his rookie contract. We’re not talking about chump change here as Winston will be due nearly $21 million for 2019, and the next step would be locking him up to a long-term deal. But getting on the field and returning as the team’s starting quarterback could go a long way for Winston in his quest to get a long-term contract extension for 2020 and beyond – if his character questions about his off-field behavior have subsided.

Last season, Winston passed for 3,504 yards, 19 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and had a whopping 10 fumbles over 13 games. Due to his three-game suspension we have yet to see Winston throw a pass in the 2018 season and how Fitzpatrick plays in Chicago will have a direct impact on when that happens.

As we roll into this weekend, the Bucs have a date at Soldier Field with the Bears and according to the reviews one of the best and most trusted online sportsbooks 5Dimes, the Buccaneers are three-point road underdogs. The good news is that Tampa Bay will get a Chicago offense that has been pedestrian at best this season. But the bad news is that the Bucs’ defense is ranked 29th in points allowed.

Of course, their schedule has featured prolific offenses in New Orleans and Pittsburgh, as well as the world champion Philadelphia Eagles. Chicago’s second-year starter Mitchell Trubisky’s offense could only muster 16 points against the Cardinals last week, so there is hope that this Bucs defense will come alive against a much weaker opponent.

As far as trends go, Tampa Bay has plenty in its favor as it is 4-0 ATS in their last four games following a straight up loss and 5-0 ATS over their last five versus NFC teams.

The best thing that can happen to the Bucs is that Fitzpatrick continues to be FitzMagic and doesn’t become FitzTragic. But you can bet that there will be a quarterback controversy the moment the veteran quarterback goes out and tosses a clunker. Winston’s presence was felt even when he couldn’t play but now that he is suited up and on the sidelines, the pressure will build exponentially.

Yet, Fitzpatrick seems almost immune to it all and is having a grand old time reinventing himself as the elder statesman and a temporary face of the franchise with his trademark beard. It’s anybody’s guess whether this quasi-journeyman QB can continue to assail secondaries as easily as he has, but regardless, it’s been a pleasantly surprising and unexpected journey that hopefully still has a ways to go.