Jameis Winston's dreadful day ended early.
Ryan Fitzpatrick replaced Winston at quarterback in Tampa Bay's 37-34 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Winston threw four interceptions before he was benched late in the third quarter.
Fitzpatrick went a perfect 3 for 3 on his first drive, leading the Buccaneers on a 65-yard drive that ended in a Chandler Catanzaro field goal. On Tampa Bay's next possession, he was even better, connecting with Mike Evans for a 72-yard touchdown.
The Bucs rallied to to the game at 34 late in the fourth quarter behind Fitzmagic's strong play, but Andy Dalton found A.J. Green twice on the final drive to set up the game-winning kick. Fitzpatrick finished the game connecting on 11 of 15 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns. Winston completed 18 of 35 passes for 276 yards and a TD.
After the game, Buccaneers coach Dirk Koetter said Winston's struggles necessitated a change at QB.
"We can't turn it over seven times in two weeks," Koetter said. "That's not hard to see. It's pretty obvious."
So is Winston in danger of losing his starting job ahead of next week's game against the Carolina Panthers?
"Today is not the day to decide that," Koetter said. "I don't have any problem making decisions, and I'll make it when the time is right. But now is probably not the right time to make it."
Winston's struggles seemed to be behind him earlier in the quarter, when he started to get the Buccaneers offense moving on an 11-play, 69-yard drive that ended with a Peyton Barber touchdown run from one yard out. But Winston ran into troubles all too familiar to his time in the NFL, making poor decisions that resulted in ugly interceptions.
The final interception was thrown directly to rookie safety Jessie Bates, who returned it for a touchdown. The previous three weren't much prettier.
Koetter complemented Fitzpatrick for his ability to come into the game and make an immediate impact.
"That's why you have a veteran backup," Koetter said. "He had about two minutes to warm up. He played with composure and did a great job bringing us back."
