Ryan Fitzpatrick had the best game of his journeyman career to help the Buccaneers take down the Saints in Week 1 of the 2018 NFL season.
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers pulled off the biggest upset of Week 1, taking down the New Orleans Saints 48-40.
- The Bucs was led by nominal backup Ryan Fitzpatrick, who threw a career-high 417 yards and four touchdowns after stepping into the starting role due to Jameis Winston's suspension.
- If Fitzpatrick continues to click with the Buccaneers offense, there's a good chance he could take over the starting role for good, leaving Winston to return to the sidelines once his suspension is served.
Ryan Fitzpatrick led the Buccaneers to a shocking 48-40 win over the New Orleans Saints in the biggest upset of Week 1.
With the Saints 9.5-point favorites heading into the game, the Buccaneers were the biggest underdog on the board, starting a backup quarterback in enemy territory to start the season. After the Saints took their opening drive in for a score, it felt for a second like both teams were following the script — one stop from the Saints defense and this thing could be over.
Instead, the Saints defense got absolutely toasted. Fitzpatrick and the Buccaneers responded immediately with a 58-yard touchdown to DeSean Jackson that made clear that Tampa Bay would not be getting run out of the building.
Fitzpatrick's magic didn't stop there — he would finish with a career-high 417 yards and four touchdowns, while adding another 36 yards and a score with his feet. The Buccaneers put up 24 points in their first four possessions, and would not be forced to punt until the second half.
Despite low expectations, Fitzpatrick turned the Buccaneers offense into a fearsome threat, and while that's great news for Tampa Bay this season, it also adds an interesting wrinkle to the team's quarterback picture.
Nominal starter Jameis Winston is suspended for the first three games of the season — the result of an eight-month NFL investigation into claims that he groped an Uber driver in 2016.
Heading into the year, many assumed the Buccaneers would lose their three opening games due to Tampa's tough opening slate, and then Winston would step back into the role when he returned from his suspension. Fitzpatrick's tremendous day changes things.
While the Buccaneers had hoped that Winston would be the team's long-term answer at quarterback, he's given them every reason to move on from him, both on and off the field. Fitzpatrick, 35, certainly doesn't represent a franchise quarterback of the future, but if he continues to click with the Buccaneers offense, Tampa Bay could be tempted to get rid of Winston before having to pay him past his rookie deal.
Obviously, it's only been one week, and the Buccaneers aren't going to overreact to one solid game from Fitzpatrick. But if he continues playing like he did on Sunday and steals one more win against the Eagles or Steelers before Winston's return, it's tough to imagine the Bucs swapping out a quarterback with a winning record who seems to be jelling with the offense.
The Buccaneers host the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles next Sunday. If they pull off another upset, don't be surprised if Winston is looking for a new team next season.