TAMPA, Fla. -- So much for struggling without Jameis Winston.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are not only thriving in the suspended quarterback's absence, they're evolving into an offensive juggernaut that's set to perform on a national stage when the Pittsburgh Steelers visit tonight.
Thanks to Ryan Fitzpatrick and a talented collection of playmakers that include DeSean Jackson, Mike Evans, O.J. Howard and Chris Godwin, the Bucs (2-0) are off to their best start in eight years and have the NFL's top-ranked offense.
The Steelers (0-1-1) are not far behind at No. 2, although an inconsistent defense has Ben Roethlisberger and Co. winless through two weeks.
"I respect what they've done. I'm not so sure I'm surprised," Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin said of Tampa Bay's emergence with wins against the New Orleans Saints and the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
They've done it with Fitzpatrick, 35, a journeyman who has thrown TD passes for seven NFL franchises, delivering the best two games of his career.
"Man, he's got some explosive weapons. He's stepping in for Winston, but Fitz is not a step-in guy. This guy has started in multiple cities," Tomlin said.
"We've seen him extensively in Cincinnati and Buffalo. He's a smart guy, Ivy League-educated, always made good decisions. That's why he's been able to sustain himself and play for the length of time that he's played."
What once looked as if it might be a potentially disastrous stretch to open the season with Winston suspended three games for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy suddenly is an opportunity for the team's first 3-0 start since 2005.
Very encouraging for a franchise that has missed the playoffs 10 consecutive seasons, the second-longest drought in the league behind the Cleveland Browns (15).
Fitzpatrick said he believes he's playing the best football of his career.
"But, I mean, it's early. Consistency is the biggest thing," the 14-year pro said. "Trying to stay consistent with a high level of performance and just continuing to try to win games."
As well as things are coming together for the Bucs, though, it's been rocky times for the struggling Steelers, off to their worst start in five years.
Pro Bowl running back Le'Veon Bell has not reported to the team and signed his one-year franchise tender.
And star receiver Antonio Brown made headlines after shouting at offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner on the sideline last week and then responding to criticism on social media from a former team employee by suggesting the team trade him if it wants to find out how productive he can be without Roethlisberger.
Tomlin, however, isn't flinching.
"We are two weeks in. We do not have a large body of work. We are focused on winning this next opportunity," the coach said.
"I am not ready to paint with a broad brush ... in terms of where our football team is or what is going to define this group."
Sports on 09/24/2018