AP

For most of Sunday’s game against Washington, it appeared the Buccaneers would surpass before Halloween their entire win total for all of 2014. But instead of pulling their post-bye record to 3-3, the Bucs blew a 24-0 lead.

At 2-4, it’s still far from over. But the Bucs have plenty of work to do. When it comes to holding the fan base together, coach Lovie Smith is trying to do the work himself.

“I know it’s a lot, but we’re just asking you to stay with us,” Smith said Monday on the Buccaneers Radio Network, via JoeBucsFan.com. “I mean, your team was up 24-0 and we didn’t get the job done, but eventually we’re going to get over that hump.”

It won’t get any easier on Sunday, when the Bucs travel to Atlanta to take on the 6-1 Falcons. Then come the Giants and Cowboys, visiting the place where the Bucs have won only once since Smith became the head coach.

Winning all three would go a long way toward getting over the hump. Winning in Atlanta would be a good start.

Holding a 24-0 lead in Washington would have been an even better start. The fan base (along with everyone else) will learn plenty about the Bucs based on how they respond in Atlanta.