Bucs, Bears in first place? Who’d have thunk it?

There is no way anyone outside of Tampa or Chicago would have predicted the Bucs and Bears would both be first-place teams when they squared off in Week 4.

Sure, it’s still plenty early in the schedule. Yet there’s no denying both teams are ahead of schedule.

Although the Buccaneers (2-1) come off a 30-27 home loss to Pittsburgh Monday night, their offence behind backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has been dynamic. Fitzpatrick started the three games that starter Jameis Winston was suspended and made a strong argument for keeping the job. Fitz leads the NFL with 1,230 yards passing and is second with 11 TD passes. He’s the only player in league history to throw for 400-plus yards in three consecutive games.

Winston certainly has been impressed and promises not to make any waves.

“It’s about the team’s success. I’m not a selfish player, it’s about our team,” Winston said. “We’re out here doing big things, and we’ve got to continue doing that.”

Chicago (2-1) is doing big things on defence. The trade with Oakland for Khalil Mack has made a huge impact in the Windy City, making up for a mediocre offence.

Mack is tied for the league lead with four sacks, with at least one in each game, and leads the NFL with three forced fumbles.

“What he has done is completely elevated everybody else on defence,” coach Matt Nagy said. “When that happens, that’s rare, to have one guy affect a team like that.”

On byes are Carolina and Washington.

Baltimore (2-1) at Pittsburgh (1-1-1)

Classic NFL matchup, Part I.

The Steelers have won nine straight games on Sunday nights, twice over the Ravens. But Baltimore has a rekindled offence, with Joe Flacco off to a sizzling start, helped by a trio of new receivers. Newcomer Michael Crabtree leads the Ravens with 15 catches and needs six to reach 600 for his career.

Pittsburgh likely gets back top blocker David DeCastro for Ben Roethlisberger, who is 21-3 in regular-season prime-time games at home, throwing for 55 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Roethlisberger has thrown a TD pass in 45 straight home games, the third-longest streak in NFL history.

Kansas City (3-0) at Denver (2-1), Monday

Classic NFL matchup, Part II. Another prime-time showcase worth watching, this is a series of streaks. The Chiefs have taken five straight following seven straight losses. The offence is a buzz saw: Kansas City is the third NFL team to score 38 or more points in its first three games (2007 Patriots, who were 16-0; 1967 Colts, who went 11-1-2).

Patrick Mahomes has established an NFL record with 13 TDs through three games and zero interceptions to lead the league with a 137.4 passer rating. The second-year QB credits the depth of talent around him.

“Guys everywhere,” Mahomes said. “Knowing that I have those weapons, whenever someone has to get a break — we say if you’re tired, get a break, because I know I can trust the next guy coming in.”

Miami (3-0) at New England (1-2)

Classic NFL matchup, Part III. Yes, the Patriots have so dominated the AFC East that we forget there are other teams in the division. This is the one team Tom Brady has fallen to the most, 10 times. Of course, he has beaten the Dolphins 21 times.

Indeed, the last time the Dolphins won at New England was 2008, when Brady was sidelined by a knee injury.

Miami already has seven interceptions; it had nine all of last season.

Philadelphia (2-1) at Tennessee (2-1)

Philly likes playing AFC South squads: The Eagles have won seven straight games against them, the team’s longest active winning streak against any division.

Cleveland (1-1-1) at Oakland (0-3)

There are good vibes by Lake Erie and bad ones in the Bay Area.

The Browns got their first win in 18 games by beating the Jets, and top overall draft choice Baker Mayfield led the way to take over as starting quarterback. Their defence has been relatively stout, led by the No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft, Myles Garrett.

Oakland’s decision to trade its best player, Mack, and then the 0-3 start has worn thin any lustre on Jon Gruden’s return. The Raiders are last in the NFL with three sacks, and tied for last with one take-away. They have been outscored 37-3 in fourth quarters and are the second team in the last 20 years to start 0-3 when leading all three at halftime.

Detroit (1-2) at Dallas (1-2)

The Lions got off the schneid with that surprisingly dominant win against New England. They have the top-rated passing offence, but they also are a sieve against the run on defence.

With Dallas struggling so much throwing the ball, look for RB Ezekiel Elliott to be very busy in this one. Elliott is tied with the 49ers’ Matt Breida for the NFL rushing lead with 274 yards.

San Francisco (1-2) at Los Angeles Chargers (1-2)

Injuries probably have ruined the 49ers’ season. After giving Jimmy Garoppolo his big payday, they will be without him for the remainder of this year after he tore his ACL against K.C. C.J. Beathard, who was in over his head last year in going 1-5, steps in.

Cincinnati (2-1) at Atlanta (1-2)

This is Cincinnati’s third road game already, and Atlanta’s third successive home game. The Bengals come in without starting RB Joe Mixon (knee), but are stunningly successful in the red zone. They have points on their last 29 times inside the 20-yard line (21 TDs, 8 FGs), the longest active streak in the NFL.

Buffalo (1-2) at Green Bay (1-1-1)

On a high after their stunning win at Minnesota as 16.5-point underdogs, the Bills get another NFC North trip. Hey, it’s always good to do those in September.

Buffalo’s rookie quarterback Josh Allen wasn’t intimidated by Minnesota’s staunch and physical defence. Green Bay’s doesn’t come close to resembling that group, and standout runner LeSean McCoy (ribs) vows he will be back.

Aaron Rodgers figures to throw a bunch this week, with Davante Adams now his top target.

New York Jets (1-2) at Jacksonville (2-1)

Coming off a loss that easily could linger, and with safety Jamal Adams saying the Jets weren’t prepared for Mayfield when he replaced Tyrod Taylor in Cleveland’s victory, New York takes on ticked-off Jacksonville.

After the Jags struggled so much vs. Tennessee, they could take it out on rookie Sam Darnold with a sack-happy defence.

New Orleans (2-1) at New York Giants (1-2)

If Eli Manning gets protection, the Giants are competitive. That happened in last week’s win at Houston, and the Saints have been disappointing defending the pass.

The excitement level ramps up in the running game as Giants rookie Saquon Barkley and the Saints’ Alvin Kamara, last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, face off. Also intriguing: Saints WR Michael Thomas leads the league with 38 catches and 398 yards receiving.

Seattle (1-2) at Arizona (0-3)

Two teams with messed-up offences, although the Seahawks look like an indomitable force compared to Arizona.

The Cardinals rank dead last in all offensive categories and have scored a total of 20 points. Now, rookie Josh Rosen will start, and while Seattle’s defence no longer has legion-like boom, it can be tricky and ranks eighth against the pass.

Houston (0-3) at Indianapolis (1-2)

Houston probably is the most disappointing team in the NFL, having gotten back J.J. Watt, Whitney Mercilus and Deshaun Watson for injury, yet not winning at all. Indeed, the Texans’ last victory came in November 2017.

Adam Vinatieri needs one field goal to break Morten Andersen’s NFL record (565). Vinatieri also needs three field-goal attempts to pass Gary Anderson (672) for second all-time, and one game played to pass George Blanda (340) for No. 4.

Can’t kick about that.