After spending an afternoon with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout their minicamp in May, I left considering they will be the NFC South winner, even with Tom Brady long past.
They nonetheless have numerous top-tier veteran avid gamers, whilst including a pleasant mixture of younger velocity to the roster. They even have Baker Mayfield at quarterback, which I believed can be just right sufficient to get them the department name again in May.
When I went again to seek advice from the Bucs in coaching camp in July, issues modified. Mayfield was once in a quarterback festival with Kyle Trask — sure, it was once actual — and the brilliant outlook of May appeared to dim, a minimum of in my thoughts, by way of past due July.
So I picked the New Orleans Saints to win the department earlier than the season.
Now a month into the season, the Bucs lead the NFC South, doing so at the foundation of an excellent highway victory towards the Saints on Sunday in New Orleans. At 3-1, Todd Bowles did a pleasant task of having his staff to reply towards a department rival on a brief week after a horrible appearing towards the Philadelphia Eagles final Monday night time.
Mayfield is a large explanation why. He was once 25-for-32 for 246 yards and 3 landing passes towards the Saints. The man who apparently at all times performs with a chip on his shoulder spoke back in a large method after a so-so appearing towards the Eagles.
Mayfield was once why I believed Tampa Bay may just win the department within the first position. But when the contest become a fact, and Mayfield gave the look to be urgent when I used to be there for coaching camp, that modified my considering.
Then he bounced again within the preseason to take the task, and now Tampa Bay has received 3 of 4, together with two highway video games at Minnesota and at New Orleans. That has the Bucs as much as tenth in my Power Rankings this week as they head to their bye. After that, it is a large house sport with the Detroit Lions, adopted by way of a house sport towards the Falcons. Is 5-1 out of the query? No method.
The protection is 7th in issues allowed, giving up 17 in step with sport. They are tied for 2d within the league with Dallas in takeaways in step with sport with a 2.5 reasonable, whilst additionally being tied for tenth with 5 different groups with a median of 3 sacks in step with sport.
Bowles is understood for protection, however younger offensive coordinator Dave Canales, a emerging megastar within the career, has achieved a pleasant task with the offense. Mayfield has spoke back with seven landing passes and two alternatives whilst being sacked handiest 4 instances. That’s spectacular taking into consideration the road was once a big worry heading into the season.
Sometimes you need to persist with your first intuition, which is what I must have achieved with my preliminary ideas at the Bucs. They are the staff to overcome now within the NFC South.
Tom who?
Biggest Movers
|
Rk |
Teams |
Chg |
Rcrd |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
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There is without a doubt who the most productive staff within the league is at the moment. They do face a tricky check Sunday night time towards the Cowboys. | — | 4-0-0 |
2 |
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It nonetheless does not glance nice, however they’re discovering techniques to win video games. That’s the great news. But they want to select it up. | — | 4-0-0 |
3 |
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It wasn’t simple towards the Jets, however they discovered some way. The offense nonetheless is not clicking but the best way we now have come to be expecting. When is the massive sport from Patrick Mahomes coming? | — | 3-1-0 |
4 |
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They seemed dominant in blowing out the Dolphins. The protection has in point of fact inspired to this point this season, particularly in the case of the go rush. Josh Allen is enjoying like an MVP once more. | 1 | 3-1-0 |
5 |
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That appearing towards the Patriots was once the staff we think to look this season. The protection was once particular and put the Arizona debacle within the rearview reflect. | 1 | 3-1-0 |
6 |
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That was once an excellent highway victory over the Browns, even supposing it was once towards a rookie backup quarterback. The offense is getting there. | 2 | 3-1-0 |
7 |
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They got here again to fact towards the Bills on offense, however the tale was once how dangerous the protection performed. That aspect of the ball hasn’t been that just right this season, which is a priority. | 3 | 3-1-0 |
8 |
|
They’ve received 3 directly video games to place the opening-day loss method in the back of them. They beat up the Giants on Monday night time. | 1 | 3-1-0 |
9 |
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Going to Green Bay and blowing out the Packers was once an excellent appearing. That protection is getting higher by way of the week. | 1 | 3-1-0 |
10 |
|
At 3-1, they lead the NFC South after beating the Saints at the highway. The protection got here up large and Baker Mayfield is enjoying neatly. | 6 | 3-1-0 |
11 |
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That was once a foul appearing towards the Lions. They have numerous accidents, however they did not even compete. They are higher than that. | 4 | 2-2-0 |
12 |
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They have received two directly video games, and C.J. Stroud is off to an excellent get started. DeMeco Ryans is proving to be a heck of a trainer. | 7 | 2-2-0 |
13 |
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After two directly losses, they appeared to proper issues towards the Falcons. The offense nonetheless has been lagging some. Now comes an actual check within the Buffalo Bills. | 7 | 2-2-0 |
14 |
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They needed to play without Deshaun Watson towards the Ravens, and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson discovered what regular-season soccer is all about. The protection wasn’t as just right, both. The bye comes at a great time after that loss. | 2 | 2-2-0 |
15 |
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They ruled the Bengals in grand type Sunday, which was once a antique Mike Vrabel form of day. He at all times will get his staff to reply when it is wanted. | 6 | 2-2-0 |
16 |
|
They are 2-2 and the protection was once significantly better towards the Raiders. But when will Brandon Staley prevent going for it in his personal finish? One day? He can not this week since they’re on their bye. | 6 | 2-2-0 |
17 |
|
At 2-2, they must be pleased with their four-game get started. They nearly blew the Colts sport, however spoke back when wanted in time beyond regulation. | 6 | 2-2-0 |
18 |
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The appearing towards the Texans was once putrid, the entire method round. Now the knee-injury problems for Kenny Pickett are a priority. | 7 | 2-2-0 |
19 |
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The offense simply did not do sufficient towards Tampa Bay. Derek Carr’s shoulder damage obviously was once a subject. | 6 | 2-2-0 |
20 |
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They fell method in the back of towards the Rams, however Anthony Richardson inspired in bringing them again to get to time beyond regulation. The protection allow them to down all day. | 6 | 2-2-0 |
21 |
|
The confirmed significantly better towards the Eagles than they did the week earlier than. That’s growth. Sam Howell was once significantly better. | 6 | 2-2-0 |
22 |
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Desmond Ridder is suffering, coming off a foul sport towards the Jaguars. How for much longer does he have to show it round? | 5 | 2-2-0 |
23 |
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At 1-3, their season is placing within the steadiness at the moment. The offense was once non-existent towards the Titans and now Tee Higgins is harm, which may not lend a hand. | 5 | 1-3-0 |
24 |
|
Mac Jones is not superb at the moment. Do they make a transformation? Should they? | — | 1-3-0 |
25 |
|
They are an offensive mess at the moment. The line is terrible and Daniel Jones can not get the rest going. This was once a playoff staff final season? | — | 1-3-0 |
26 |
|
For the primary time this season, they in point of fact were not within the sport towards the 49ers. It appears like Josh Dobbs would be the quarterback for some time since Kyler Murray is not in a position. | — | 1-3-0 |
27 |
|
Zach Wilson confirmed neatly Monday night time, giving this crew some hope. If he can play like he did towards the Chiefs, perhaps he can flip his profession round. | — | 1-3-0 |
28 |
|
At 1-3, they’re off to a foul get started. Not having Jimmy Garoppolo towards the Chargers did not lend a hand. He could be again this week. | — | 1-3-0 |
29 |
|
They received their first sport at Carolina, but it surely certain wasn’t beautiful. They have to chop down at the errors because the Chiefs come to the city. | — | 1-3-0 |
30 |
|
They rallied to overcome the Bears, however they nonetheless have primary problems. The offense did come alive. The protection is dangerous. | — | 1-3-0 |
31 |
|
They do not do sufficient on offense at the moment as Bryce Young is suffering. They are in a large hollow at 0-4. | — | 0-4-0 |
32 |
|
They blew a large result in lose to the Broncos. But a minimum of Justin Fields performed neatly for many of the sport. That’s a just right signal. | — | 0-4-0 |