Friday, November 26, 2021

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 12 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 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: 3.6 (3rd)
  • Best ranking: 2 (Multiple)
  • Worst ranking: 6 (ESPN)

Below you will find a Week 12 roundup for the Bucs in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 6

Most memorable Thanksgiving game: Losing 38-10 to the Cowboys on Nov. 23, 2006

The most memorable Thanksgiving Day game for the Buccaneers was a loss? Yep, because it's the only one. That day, the Bucs surrendered five touchdown passes to Tony Romo, who was making his fifth NFL start. Then-Bucs coach Jon Gruden said after the game, "I thought it was Aikman out there." Romo's fifth TD went to Terrell Owens, who tossed the ball into the Salvation Army red kettle. "That's my donation," Owens said. "I hope it's as much as the fine." The one positive that day for Tampa Bay -- Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks overtook offensive tackle Paul Gruber for most career starts with 184. -- Jenna Laine

NFL.com -- Rank: 3

The Bucs were back on their game on Monday night, moving with clinical efficiency on offense and making splash plays on defense en route to an easy win over the Giants that snapped a two-game losing skid. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Rob Gronkowski all went over 65 yards receiving, while Tom Brady crossed 300 yards through the air for the fifth time in 10 games this season. Brady spent the final minutes of the blowout on the Bucs' sideline as Blaine Gabbert finished things out -- the ultimate victory formation. The competition jumps up a notch next Sunday with a road matchup against the red-hot Colts.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 5

In blowing out the Giants, they looked like the team we expected to see this season. The defense looked much better in that game.

USA Today -- Rank: 2

Their mini skid ended Monday night, but they'll really need NT Vita Vea back to contain the Indy ground assault in Week 12.

The Athletic -- Rank: 2

Best side dish: It's amazing how much Rob Gronkowski changes the Bucs' offense at 32 years old and after a mini-retirement. It's no coincidence Tampa Bay's recent two-game skid came with Gronkowski mostly out. He ranks second on the team in EPA per target, behind only Antonio Brown. Even though Gronkowski was limited to 59 percent of the Bucs' offensive snaps in his return Monday night, he still nabbed six catches (tied for the team lead) for 71 yards, only two shy of Mike Evans' production.

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