The Tampa Bay Buccaneers showed their heart on Sunday night, only to have it ripped out by the Chicago Bears at the end.

Cairo Santos hit a 38-yard field goal as time expired to give the Bears a 27-24 victory and improved to 7-2 on the season. The Bucs, who began the game in first place in the NFC South, fell to 3-6 and are a half-game behind the Carolina Panthers and the New Orleans Saints.

The Bucs got off to an awful start, falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter. The game looked like it would be a blowout, but Tampa rallied to tie the contest at 24 with under three minutes to go, but could not get the final defensive stop the team needed to force overtime.

The Bucs' relentless defense forced five turnovers, including four interceptions off of MVP candidate Caleb Williams.

It turned out to not be enough, and the Bucs head into their bye week thinking about what could have been.

Here are my five biggest takeaways from the Buccaneers' heartbreaking loss to the Bears:

1. The Bucs can't win unless Baker Mayfield plays better: If Tampa intends to make a playoff push, the Bucs need much more from their $55 million/year QB. 

Mayfield completed a total of seven passes in Tampa's last two wins. Unfortunately, The Bears are not the Panthers or Falcons.

Against Chicago, Mayfield completed only 18 of 32 passes for 243 yards. He didn't throw a touchdown but threw two brutal interceptions, including a devastating pick-six after the Bucs cut their deficit to 17-13.

2. Bucky Irving is becoming a superstar: It may have taken him a little while to get going, but Irving took over the Bucs' offense and gave his team a chance to win the game.

Irving finished with 97 rushing yards on 20 carries and scored both of Tampa's touchdowns. His first TD capped off a beautiful drive to start the third quarter and make it a game. Irving's second tied the game (after a 2-pt conversion) with just under three minutes to go. 

Irving ran hard all night, frequently bouncing off defenders or making them miss. He is turning into a Pro Bowl caliber running back in an NFC that is full of them.

3. The defense’s big-play ability is uncanny: Tampa’s defense forced a whopping five turnovers Sunday night. The game started out as a nightmare for the Bucs defense, especially CB Zyon McCollum, who was getting abused early and often. 

McCollum would rebound with not one, but two interceptions. LB Alex Anzalone got another one, giving him three in the last two games and four for the season. 

Tykee Smith notched the other. The Bucs also forced a fumble from Luther Burden, which set up Irving’s game-tying TD. 

Unfortunately, a busted coverage on a 38-yard pass to TE Colston Loveland prevented the defense from getting the final stop it needed and set up Chicago’s game-winning field goal.

4. Bucs desperately need a playmaker in the passing game: Tampa’s passing attack lacks a dependable pass-catcher. Tez Johnson had a huge 58-yard catch that set up the first TD, but he had a pair of horrible drops. Ted Hurst continues to be a non-factor. 

Chris Godwin had only two catches for 16 yards and has been disappointing all season. Emeka Egbuka had three for 38, but disappeared towards the end of the game. 

With the trade deadline on Tuesday, Tampa needs to add a difference-maker to their group of pass-catchers (Trey McBride would be a game-changer) if they want to be taken seriously as a threat in the NFC. 

5. The Bucs should be buyers at the deadline: Tampa Bay is clearly the best team in the division. Even though they couldn’t beat the Bears, the Bucs are still division favorites. 

The NFL’s trade deadline is Tuesday. The Bucs should aggressively make moves to capitalize on playing in the weak NFC South. 

If they don’t aggressively buy, the Bucs should aggressively sell, but I believe they should go for it and be buyers. 

Winning the division guarantees a home playoff game, and anything can happen once the postseason starts.