The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came up just short on Sunday night, losing 27-24 to the Chicago Bears on a last-second field goal.

Tiebreakers allowed the Bucs to begin this game atop the NFC South standings, but the loss drops them to a half-game behind the 3-5 Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints 

Tampa Bay got off to a horrible start. The Bucs quickly fell behind 17-3. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and his receivers were having their way with the Bucs secondary, especially Zyon McCollum, who was abused early and often before an amazing turnaround. 

However, the Bucs fought back all game, forcing five turnovers, including four Williams' interceptions. Tampa tied the game at 24 with just under three minutes left. Unfortunately, the defense couldn't get a final stop that would have sent the game to overtime.

There were a few standout performances from the Bucs against Chicago, but there were also several players who did not have a good night.

Here are my three winners and four losers from the Buccaneers' deflating loss to the Bears:

1. Bucky Irving: Who else would be the top winner? Irving was outstanding once again for Tampa. The third-year back rushed for 97 yards on 20 carries, while adding four catches for 28 yards. 

Irving’s first touchdown finally got the Bucs into the end zone and cut Tampa’s deficit to 17-13. His second score tied the game at 24 (after a 2-pt conversion) and almost forced overtime. 

Irving has three multi-TD games in his career, and they have all come since Week 5. He continues to be the best player on Tampa’s offense. 

2. Tykee Smith: Smith had a terrific game against the Bears. He had seven total tackles and really had to step up after fellow safety Antoine Winfield Jr. departed with an ankle injury. 

Smith recorded the first of Tampa’s four interceptions off Caleb Williams. His INT really stopped the bleeding for a defense that was getting embarrassed early on. 

3. Zyon McCollum: Nobody on Tampa’s defense looked worse to start the game. He was getting abused in coverage and whiffing badly on tackles. McCollum got undressed by WR Rome Odunze on Chicago’s first touchdown. 

However, McCollum would rebound in a huge way. He snared a pair of interceptions and helped cause Williams to play a bit unsure of himself for the rest of the game. 

1. Baker Mayfield: After two straight games of barely throwing the ball, Mayfield was given a full workload against the Bears. 

It did not go well. 

Mayfield went 18 for 32 for 243 yards with zero touchdowns and two costly interceptions, the second of which was a devastating pick-six. 

The Bucs are not getting what they paid for when they signed Mayfield to a huge contract extension right before the season. If they really want to make a run at winning the division, Mayfield needs to play much better. 

2. Tampa’s WRs: Aside from Tez Johnson’s beautiful 58-yard catch that set up Irving’s first TD, it was a night to forget for Tampa’s WRs. 

Johnson had a pair of brutal drops. Ted Hurst had another game with zero catches. His lone target was a low throw that looked like a catch he could have made with a better effort. 

Emeka Egbuka, back after missing two games, had three catches for 38 yards but was invisible to end the game. Chris Godwin’s disappointing season continued. The 10-year veteran had only two catches for 16 yards. 

The Bucs desperately miss Mike Evans and should be scouring the trade market for a pass-catcher, either a WR or TE, that can come in and give this passing offense a much-needed playmaker. 

3. Todd Bowles: Bowles’ lack of aggression cost his team dearly. Twice, he had opportunities to go for touchdowns but instead settled for field goals. 

The first was right before halftime. Down 17-3, the Bucs had time for one more play from the Bears’ 3-yard line. Instead of going for the TD, Bowles opted to kick the gimme field goal and went into the half down 17-6. 

Bowles said he took the points because the Bucs were getting the ball to start the third quarter. He claims he would’ve gone for it if the Bears had gotten the ball to start the second half. 

Early in the fourth, Tampa faced a fourth-and-four at Chicago’s 12. The Bucs lined up to go for it but were only trying to draw the Bears offsides. After the delay-of-game penalty, Chase McLaughlin kicked his third field goal of the game. 

In a three-point loss, scoring a TD in one of those situations, if not both, would have had a dramatic impact on the game’s result. 

4. The offensive line: Tampa’s offensive line took a step backwards against Chicago. 

While the line did a good job run-blocking, especially as the game wore on, the pass protection was not nearly as good. Mayfield was sacked four times and under pressure many more times.

The line was also called for five false-start penalties. When a team is trying to make a furious comeback, the pre-snap penalties that put the offense in tough situations were a killer.