The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicked off their 2017 season on Sunday amid concerns that a long, Hurricane Irma-induced layoff would leave them rusty for the opener. Instead, like fine silver, the Buccaneers were about as polished as they've ever been at the start of a new campaign, routing the visiting Chicago Bears, 29-7.
Tampa Bay nearly pitched the 11th shutout in franchise history but the Bears scored a meaningless touchdown against mostly reserves in the games' final two minutes. The rest of the game was completely one-sided: The Buccaneers scored on the game's opening possession, logged four first-half turnovers, found the end zone on defense, enjoyed their first 50-plus-yard field goal in more than a season and were responsible for the game's first 29 points.