Last week Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Buccaneers arrived in the Big Easy for a Week 1 showdown with last year's NFC South champs the New Orleans Saints. The Bucs were, not surprisingly, the underdogs in this tough match up against Drew Brees in the Super Dome. However, it didn't take long for Fitzpatrick to light up the field with deep balls to the likes of Desean Jackson and others to squeak by with a 48-40 win over New Orleans.
As if the Saints weren't a large enough hurdle to overcome at the start of the NFL season, Week 2 proposed an even tougher match up against the defending Super Bowl champs. Electricity filled the air at Raymond James stadium as the Bucs took the field for their 2018 season home opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. Fans were hoping that Fitzpatrick would once again put on a 'magic' show!
It only took 'Fitzmagic' one touch of the pigskin to pull another rabbit out of his hat. On the Bucs' first play from scrimmage in the game, Fitz hooked up with Desean Jackson again for a 75 yard touchdown pass. Raymond James absolutely erupted in cheers as the pirate ship fired it's cannons!
After a few drives ending with punts by both teams, Fitzpatrick threw an interception resulting in a 75-yard touchdown drive by the Eagles. On the ensuing possession by the Bucs, 'Fitzmagic' had another trick up his sleeve. Starting from their own 25 yard line, it once again only took one touch of the football for Fitzy and company to break another huge play. This time it was O.J. Howard with the catch and in impressive run down the sideline for another 75 yard passing touchdown!
The Buccaneers defense held strong forcing a thee-and-out for the Eagles and received the ball back in short order. On this drive, Fitzpatrick seemed to spread the ball around to his weapons with ease including a couple deep shots to O.J. Howard and Chris Godwin. It was sophmore sensation WR Chris Godwin who ended up capping this 70-yard drive with another touchdown. The game went into halftime with the Bucs up 20-7 over the Eagles.
The Eagles received the ball first in the second half but ended up losing the ball on downs after rolling the dice and going for it on 4th down. On the ensuing possession Tampa Bay capitalized on their short-field position and drove the ball 54 yards and capped it with Fitzpatrick's third touchdown pass of the game to the tried and true Bucs veteran Mike Evans giving Tampa a 27 - 7 lead.
At this point it seemed as if the Buccaneers had another win wrapped up but Nick Foles and the Eagles were not ready to throw in the towel just yet. Philadelphia went on to produce two more 75+ yard drives culminating in 14 more points on the board making it a one touchdown game with Tampa still on top 27 - 20.
Tampa went on to give up a fumble after a short pass to Mike Evans but the Tampa D held strong with consistent pressure on Nick Foles and the Buccaneers end Week 2 with another W, the first time Tampa has started a season 2 - 0 since 2010. Not to mention they pulled it off by defeating the defending Super Bowl champs.
While Fitzpatrick didn't exceed his amazing stat line from Week 1, he still provided the 'magic' needed for the win while throwing for over 400 yards and 4 touchdowns again! The night ended with one of the best post-game interviews I've ever seen. Fitzpatrick stepped up to the podium donning Desean Jackson's jacket and jewelry looking like Connor McGregor's doppelganger!
Week 3 brings red-hot Roethlisberger and the rest of Steeler Nation down to Tampa Bay for another exciting match up in the Florida heat. This will be the last game Jameis Winston is required to sit for his suspension which begs the question about replacing Fitzy at the helm. If his performance is anywhere close to his display of passing prowess from games 1 & 2, I can't imagine why they'd pull Fitz for Winston. Only time will tell.
Comments