Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 8 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: 5.0 (T-4th)
  • Best ranking: 3rd (NFL.com)
  • Worst ranking: 7th (ESPN)

Below you will find a Week 8 roundup for the Bucs in our consensus 2020 NFL Power Rankings.

The Athletic -- Rank: 5

Tom Brady threw for 369 yards and four touchdowns against the Raiders, and the Buccaneers looked like legit Super Bowl contenders. Tampa is 5-2 with an NFL-best plus-80 point differential, which makes the organization's decision to bring on a complete wild card in Antonio Brown so confusing. Bruce Arians described Brown as an insurance policy, but the bottom line is adding him is a high-risk move that could blow up on Tampa. They will have a lot of mouths to feed on offense once Brown joins the mix.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 5

That team that we saw against the Raiders is the real deal. That team can win a Super Bowl. But what happens now with Antonio Brown on board?

USA Today -- Rank: 5

Second-year LB Devin White is becoming one of the top impact players at his position, fresh off sacking Derek Carr three times.

ESPN -- Rank: 7

Who needs to step up: TE Rob Gronkowski

I wouldn't say Gronkowski needs to step up as much as I think he needs to continue doing what he has done over the past two weeks -- catching 10 passes for 140 yards and two TDs. He is starting to own the middle of the field and is having success on crossing routes and in the red zone on back-shoulder fades. This is especially important without O.J. Howard (Achilles) and with Mike Evans continuing to recover from an ankle injury. -- Jenna Laine

NFL.com -- Rank: 3

We know the Bucs have a championship-caliber defense. But what would happen if you paired that elite unit with peak-level Tom Brady? The G.O.A.T. passed like it was 2007 on Sunday, rolling up 369 yards and four touchdowns in a blowout of the Raiders in Vegas. Speaking of crank-back-the-clock performances, Rob Gronkowski has knocked off the rust and is starting to play a bit like the guy who tore apart the league with Brady back in their New England salad days. And while Gronk partied, the defense made life hell for Derek Carr, who was completely stymied by Devin White and Co. as the Bucs pulled away in the second half. This is the best team in the NFC.

Previous update: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 7 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

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