There is a workforce lurking within the NFC that no person will wish to play come playoff time.
It’s the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
I believed the Bucs may very well be a playoff workforce this season. In reality, I picked them to win the NFC South. But after watching them do what they did to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, I’m much more impressed by what they’re as a workforce.
After falling behind, 17-10, within the second quarter, trying like a workforce that may flounder on the highway, the Bucs scored 30 unanswered factors within the second half on their option to a 40-17 blowout.
The Bucs had 505 whole yards, 222 on the bottom, and Baker Mayfield threw 4 landing passes in opposition to the league’s top-ranked scoring protection. The Tampa Bay protection harassed Justin Herbert all day lengthy and restricted him to 195 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. In the second half, he could not do a lot of something.
The Bucs at the moment are 8-6 heading to the ultimate three video games, main the NFC South. Mayfield is a giant cause why. He has 32 passing touchdowns, probably the most of his profession. He threw two to Mike Evans on Sunday, each on large performs for the veteran receiver. When you mix a troublesome, bruising operating assault with Mayfield’s proper arm, the offense is hard to cease.
The protection has had damage points all season, however getting their corners wholesome and getting defensive lineman Calijah Kancey going has been large for that unit. The beginning safeties are nonetheless out, however the backups held up in opposition to Herbert.
Tampa Bay is as much as twelfth in my Power Rankings this week. It closes the season with a highway recreation at Dallas this week, adopted by dwelling video games in opposition to the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints. Those groups have a mixed report of 14-28, which suggests the Bucs have an actual shot to run the desk.
If they do, they will win the NFC South, clinch the third or fourth seed within the playoffs and play a house recreation. Like I stated, no person will wish to play this workforce within the postseason. They can rating on anyone and when the protection is wholesome, that unit may be actually good — a fantastic mixture of younger and outdated on that facet of the ball.
Tampa Bay confirmed final 12 months it may win with Mayfield and gang within the playoffs. Now they’re seasoned some, which ought to make them much more harmful this time round. That’s why they need to be thought of a workforce that may go on a run within the playoffs and appear to be getting sizzling at simply the best time.
Biggest Movers
|
Rk |
Teams |
Chg |
Rcrd |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
|
They are again within the high spot with the Detroit Lions dropping. The damage to Patrick Mahomes may impression whether or not they get the highest seed within the AFC, particularly with three video games in 10 days. | 1 | 13-1-0 |
2 |
|
They carry on rolling within the NFC East, and the passing recreation got here alive in opposition to the Steelers. But they do face a troublesome recreation on the highway in opposition to the Commanders this week. | 1 | 12-2-0 |
3 |
|
Winning at Detroit in opposition to the Lions was a giant assertion recreation. The previous two weeks have confirmed that to beat this workforce, you would possibly want to attain 40 or extra. Josh Allen is the MVP proper now. | 2 | 11-3-0 |
4 |
|
The protection simply is not adequate. That may very well be the undoing for this dynamic offensive-led workforce. The loss to the Bills uncovered that protection, and now they’ve extra damage losses with defensive sort out Alim McNeill and nook Carlton Davis. It’s a disgrace. | 3 | 12-2-0 |
5 |
|
It was a little bit disjointed in opposition to the Bears, however they only carry on profitable. They face a troublesome highway recreation at Seattle this week as they eye the potential division title. | 1 | 12-2-0 |
6 |
|
They confirmed a bodily model of soccer in beating up on the Seahawks on Sunday evening. This workforce is an actual risk within the NFC. | 1 | 10-4-0 |
7 |
|
The offense was lifeless within the loss to the Eagles. That opens up new questions on Russell Wilson as they head to Baltimore to play the Ravens. | 1 | 10-4-0 |
8 |
|
They got here out of their bye with a powerful beatdown of the Giants. Now comes a monster divisional recreation with the Steelers. | — | 9-5-0 |
9 |
|
Bo Nix had a tough outing in opposition to the Colts, however they nonetheless discovered a option to win a recreation the place he did not play properly. The protection makes a number of large performs. | 2 | 9-5-0 |
10 |
|
They seemed dominant for a lot of the sport in opposition to the Saints, however wilted late and made it an in depth recreation. They cannot do this this week in opposition to the Eagles or they may pay. | 2 | 9-5-0 |
11 |
|
They now lead the NFC West, which is wonderful. Sean McVay deserves a ton of credit score for getting this workforce to this place. | 2 | 8-6-0 |
12 |
|
As they get more healthy, they get higher. Baker Mayfield is having his finest season but. | 2 | 8-6-0 |
13 |
|
That was a horrible exhibiting in opposition to the Bucs. They have misplaced two straight and now face a giant Thursday recreation on the highway in opposition to the Broncos. | 4 | 8-6-0 |
14 |
|
They have clinched the AFC South, however the subsequent three weeks need to be about getting proper for the playoffs. It’s nonetheless not like we anticipated thus far for his or her offense. | 1 | 9-5-0 |
15 |
|
They obtained pushed round by the Packers and now face a troublesome last three video games with Geno Smith banged up. Their playoff probabilities do not look nice. | 5 | 8-6-0 |
16 |
|
They impressed in beating up on the Patriots to maintain their playoff hopes alive. Kyler Murray bounced again after just a few robust video games. | 1 | 7-7-0 |
17 |
|
The Jonathan Taylor mistake of dropping the ball as he went into the top zone may find yourself costing them an opportunity to make the playoffs. What a horrible play that turned a victory right into a loss in opposition to the Broncos. | 1 | 6-8-0 |
18 |
|
It’s a disgrace they most likely will not make the playoffs as a result of the offense is dynamic. Joe Burrow has been MVP good all 12 months. | 2 | 6-8-0 |
19 |
|
They are principally achieved now after dropping to the Texans. Tua Tagovailoa had a tough day on a stage the place they wanted him to be higher. | 1 | 6-8-0 |
20 |
|
Brock Purdy got here up small in a giant recreation in opposition to the Rams. They have an out of doors shot on the playoffs, however they can not afford one other loss. | 1 | 6-8-0 |
21 |
|
They stayed alive within the division race by beating the Raiders on Monday evening, nevertheless it positive wasn’t fairly. Kirk Cousins nonetheless does not look proper. | — | 7-7-0 |
22 |
|
They confirmed some battle in beating up on the Panthers. The protection performed very well as Dallas’ slim playoff hopes stay alive. | 4 | 6-8-0 |
23 |
|
This season continues to spiral downward. The offense simply is not excellent proper now, and it is time to begin trying to 2025 and a brand new coach. | 1 | 4-10-0 |
24 |
|
Jameis Winston nonetheless makes means too many errors, which is why he was benched in opposition to the Chiefs. They have quarterback points heading into subsequent season. | — | 3-11-0 |
25 |
|
A season that began with a lot hope is ending on a downer. They have a difficult offseason for whoever is teaching this group. | 2 | 5-9-0 |
26 |
|
So a lot for the strides Bryce Young was making taking part in quarterback. He wasn’t good within the loss to the Cowboys. | 1 | 3-11-0 |
27 |
|
Aaron Rodgers to Davante Adams was the distinction in beating the Jaguars final week. It’s a little bit of a tease for Jets followers since they anticipated to see a lot extra of that. | 3 | 4-10-0 |
28 |
|
They have a star in receiver Brian Thomas Jr., which is nice for the longer term. He goes to be particular for whoever coaches this workforce and for Trevor Lawrence. | 1 | 3-11-0 |
29 |
|
Will Levis may very well be achieved as their starter. It simply did not work. They must get a quarterback within the offseason. | 1 | 3-11-0 |
30 |
|
Drake Maye did not do a lot within the Pats’ loss to the Cardinals. They must loosen issues up a bit and let him throw it round within the last three video games. | 1 | 3-11-0 |
31 |
|
Things are so unhealthy that it is arduous to think about there will not be modifications — large modifications. Can Brian Daboll maintain his job? | — | 2-12-0 |
32 |
|
With Desmond Ridder at quarterback, they haven’t any likelihood. They are on their option to getting their quarterback within the draft subsequent April. | — | 2-12-0 |
