Tampa Bay Buccaneers Power Rankings After Bye Week
In this story:
The Buccaneers are coming off of a Week 5 bye week that was much needed. When headed into the bye week, the Buccaneers had multiple injuries at multiple positions.
Last week, the Buccaneers shot up the power rankings after their dominant win against the New Orleans Saints. After their bye week, they stayed in a very similar spot to last week.
If the Buccaneers can pull off a win against the Detroit Lions in Week 6, the Buccaneers will surely shoot up the power rankings.
READ MORE: Two Former Buccaneers Super Bowl Champions Feud on Social Media
Here are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers power rankings headed into Week 6 by national media.
NFL.com
11. Buccaneers (-1)
Although the week 3 loss to the Eagles is a stark reminder of what the Bucs looked like against the one true contender they've faced to this point, it's hard not to take a step back and like most of what we've seen from this team. Todd Bowles has quietly done an excellent job on the whole, reshaping a strong, hard-nosed defense and entrusting the offense to QB Baker Mayfield and offensive coordinator Dave Canales. The run game might be pretty dormant, but the defense has kept scores down enough with incredible red-zone work to give Tampa Bay chances to win most games. Can this formula continue? We'll likely find out during this fatter part of the schedule, with the next three opponents (vs. Lions, vs. Falcons, at Bills) upping the stakes.
ESPN
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0)
The Buccaneers' 10.5 defensive fantasy points per game mark is fourth best in the league. Last season, they averaged 5.76 defensive fantasy points per game (17th). They've been a stingy defense under Todd Bowles, but the takeaways have eluded them until now. They're averaging 3.0 sacks a game (eighth). They're also only giving up 17 points per game, a credit to their work in the red zone as opposing teams have just a 27.3% red zone efficiency against them -- second best in the league. -- Jenna Laine
CBS Sports
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+4)
At 3-1, they are one of the surprise teams so far. Now, coming off their bye, they can prove they are truly a contender by beating the Lions.
NBC Sports
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0)
Beat the Lions, and the Bucs will be taken very seriously.
READ MORE: Calijah Kancey’s Potential Game Changing Return to the Buccaneers Defense
Yahoo
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1)
The Buccaneers host the Lions this weekend, then face a Falcons team that will be in the NFC South mix all season, and in Week 8 play at Buffalo. If you're wondering if the Buccaneers are legit, you should have an answer in three weeks.
USA Today
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+2)
This marks three times in four years that QB Baker Mayfield has won three of his first four starts. His only 4-1 beginning led to a deep playoff run in Cleveland.
The average ranking of the Buccaneers on these sites is 10.3.
The Buccaneers will look to add to the win column against the Detroit Lions in week 6.
Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2023 season
