Saturday, October 24, 2020

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 7 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2020 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 6.8 (6th)
  • Best ranking: 6th (NFL.com)
  • Worst ranking: 7th (Multiple)

Below you will find a Week 7 roundup for the Bucs in our consensus 2020 NFL Power Rankings.

The Athletic -- Rank: 7

Todd Bowles' group delivered one of the most impressive defensive performances of the season. Jamel Dean had a big pick-six in the second quarter, and cornerback Carlton Davis was terrific. The linebacker duo of Devin White and Lavonte David may be the NFL's best. The Buccaneers produced five sacks and 13 quarterback hits. Tampa's defense now ranks first in EPA per snap. And the offense avoided mistakes. Great note from The Athletic's Greg Auman: This was just the second time in the last 47 years that a team played a game without a single penalty, sack allowed or turnover.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 7

They bounced back from the Chicago loss in impressive fashion with that thumping of the Packers. They looked like a Super Bowl contender.

USA Today -- Rank: 7

Tom Brady blah, blah, blah. Look who now owns league's top-ranked defense, which includes breakout CB Jamel Dean. A team that's still jelling might have far more upside on both sides of the ball than anyone realized.

ESPN -- Rank: 7

Most impactful injury: DT Vita Vea

Prior to suffering a broken ankle against the Bears in Week 5, Vea was among the most double-teamed players in the league. It's nearly impossible to single block a player that big (347 pounds) and that quick, which is why he was a key factor in the Bucs' top-rated rush defense and their potent pass rush. Vea also played a key role in the A-gap blitzes that Todd Bowles uses so much. Rotational tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches has stepped up to fill the void, and he helped the Bucs' defense notch five sacks against the Packers during a 38-10 win on Sunday. They also traded with the New York Jets for Steve McLendon, who played for Bowles previously. -- Jenna Laine

NFL.com -- Rank: 6

The final three quarters against the Packers were pure perfection. Starting with Jamel Dean's pick-six of Aaron Rodgers to open the Tampa Bay scoring early in the second quarter and ending with the Packers waving the white flag and planting Rodgers on the bench midway through the fourth, it was about as satisfying as a regular-season win gets. Tom Brady threw two touchdowns (one to Gronk!), and Ronald Jones solidified his position in the backfield with 121 scrimmage yards and two scores. The defense was even more impressive in its first game without Vita Vea, rattling Rodgers with constant havoc. Rodgers was pressured 12 times, the most disruption he's faced in a game this season. When the Bucs are right, they're as good as anybody.

Previous update: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 6 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

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