After spending time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers within the spring and summer season, I got here away pondering they’d be a Tremendous Bowl contender.
Now I’m satisfied of it.
The Bucs have navigated via a laundry checklist of accidents, together with crippling ones to their offensive line, to open the season at 3-0 as they head to a monster sport this week with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Tampa Bay has gained all three video games on the ultimate possession, two of these on the highway, which is a testomony to Baker Mayfield’s capability to stand up within the massive moments and reveals his crew is able to dealing with adversity.
The Bucs beat the New York Jets Sunday on a last-second subject purpose to win a sport that they dominated, however in some way discovered themselves trailing late after a blocked subject purpose was returned for a landing by the Jets. Some groups would wilt in that second, however Mayfield calmly drove them to the game-winning rating.
The superb factor about that: They performed your complete sport with none of their projected beginning offensive line from the preseason lining up within the spots they had been planning to play. Middle Graham Barton was the left deal with, left guard Ben Bredeson was at middle and the opposite three spots had been manned by backups, with left guard Elijah Klein and proper guard Luke Haggard making their first NFL begins.
OK, so it wasn’t at all times fairly. Mayfield was outdoors the pocket loads, obtained pressured a bunch and the road had 5 holding penalties, however they nonetheless had 347 yards of offense.
Successful that kind of sport not solely reveals this can be a good crew, nevertheless it additionally reveals the Bucs have depth — deep depth on that line. Let’s not overlook they’re additionally with out receivers Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan and veteran Mike Evans left the sport with a hamstring damage within the third quarter.
But Mayfield was in a position to make the performs when wanted, together with on the ultimate drive. Navigating via accidents is vital for any crew, nevertheless it can also unify a gaggle. That appears to be the case in Tampa.
Normal supervisor Jason Licht has carried out a pleasant job constructing the roster to have the ability to deal with these accidents. A few of the wounded are on their approach again, with indications being that All-Professional left deal with Tristan Wirfs could possibly be again this week. That will assist solidify the road towards the Eagles, which is a should versus that aggressive group.
The Bucs are as much as No. 3 in my Energy Rankings this week, however the top-ranked Eagles would be the actual take a look at in Tampa on Sunday. They’re two of the three remaining undefeated groups within the NFC — San Francisco is the opposite — so this Week 4 sport might be vital for down-the-road seeding.
Mayfield is enjoying MVP-like ball, even when his numbers aren’t gaudy. Successful within the clutch behind that line with these receivers simply solidifies him as one of many league’s greatest quarterbacks. With each sport, with each key second, the pending long-term contract numbers go up for Mayfield — which they need to.
He has actually resurrected his profession and has this crew believing in him as their man. Doing it within the clutch helps again that up, however doing it with all of the accidents solely strengthens that perception.
The Bucs are for actual. They’re Tremendous Bowl contenders, however you higher imagine they’d like to get a few of these injured our bodies again on the sector simply to assist make it slightly simpler.
Largest Movers
|
Rk |
Groups |
Chg |
Rcrd |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
|
The best way they got here again towards the Rams was a big-time victory that confirmed that they’ll throw it when they should throw. That is telling going ahead. | — | 3-0-0 |
2 |
|
It wasn’t fairly towards Miami, however successful by 10 towards a division foe when you do not play effectively is the signal of a very good crew. The protection does need to get higher. | — | 3-0-0 |
3 |
|
The accidents have been many for this crew, however they’ve overcome them up to now. The most important take a look at would be the Eagles this week. | 1 | 3-0-0 |
4 |
|
Justin Herbert is main the league in passing yards. For a Jim Harbaugh-coached crew? That is spectacular. | 3 | 3-0-0 |
5 |
|
The place is the offense? The protection has been dominant, however they are not getting sufficient from the offense. It value them in Cleveland. | 2 | 2-1-0 |
6 |
|
They pushed the Ravens round Monday night time to get again to their roots on offense of operating the ball. The protection additionally got here up massive with seven sacks. | 6 | 2-1-0 |
7 |
|
Marcus Mariota performed effectively rather than Jayden Daniels within the blowout of the Raiders. Let Daniels take time. | 1 | 2-1-0 |
8 |
|
They’re 3-0, dealing with some main accidents, however maintain discovering a method to win. | — | 3-0-0 |
9 |
|
Do you imagine in them but? Daniel Jones and that offense are rolling up factors. They’re the category of their division. | 1 | 3-0-0 |
10 |
|
That was a tricky method to lose towards the Eagles, however they confirmed plenty of good issues in that sport. This crew is an actual menace within the NFC as they able to face the undefeated Colts this week. | 1 | 2-1-0 |
11 |
|
They’ve line points on either side of the ball. The protection obtained pushed round and the offensive line did not defend Lamar Jackson towards the Lions. Now they’ve an enormous one with the Chiefs. | 6 | 1-2-0 |
12 |
|
They could have saved their season with the victory over the Giants on Sunday night time, however they nonetheless have main issues on offense. And right here comes the Ravens this week. | 1 | 1-2-0 |
13 |
|
In the event that they play protection like they did towards the Bengals, it will not matter who performs quarterback. However Carson Wentz performed effectively with what he was requested to do. | 4 | 2-1-0 |
14 |
|
In the event that they play protection like they did towards the Bengals, it will not matter who performs quarterback. However Carson Wentz performed effectively with what he was requested to do. | 1 | 1-2-0 |
15 |
|
The protection will maintain them in plenty of video games. However the offense wants to select it up. What is going on on with Marvin Harrison Jr.? | 1 | 2-1-0 |
16 |
|
At 2-1, they’re enjoying good protection and getting massive particular groups performs. Mike Macdonald may need one thing particular brewing with that protection. | 2 | 2-1-0 |
17 |
|
The protection saved the day towards the Texans, however the offense nonetheless is not clicking. They’ve approach too many penalties and drops. | 2 | 2-1-0 |
18 |
|
They’re 2-1 after successful at New England, however they nonetheless have not appeared nice on both facet of the ball. The protection simply is not as much as Steelers grade but. | 3 | 2-1-0 |
19 |
|
A lot for the concept that Jake Browning would maintain down the fort. You’re a backup on this league for a purpose. They’re carried out with out Joe Burrow. | 4 | 2-1-0 |
20 |
|
They’ve a turnover concern proper now which value them the Steelers sport. That must be fastened or they will not win many video games. | 2 | 1-2-0 |
21 |
|
It is too unhealthy they do not play the Dallas Cowboys protection each week. However credit score to Caleb Williams for taking part in effectively within the victory. Now he wants to hold it over. | 3 | 1-2-0 |
22 |
|
The protection has been dominant for 3 weeks and beating the Packers was vindication for that unit. The offense does must get it going — or make a change at quarterback. | 6 | 1-2-0 |
23 |
|
Man, is that protection unhealthy or what? Even when they’d Micah Parsons, the secondary is a catastrophe. They’ve extra busts and unhealthy performs than any group within the league. | 3 | 1-2-0 |
24 |
|
The protection was shredded by backup quarterback Marcus Mariota of the Commanders. That is a foul look. They could need to win shootouts this season. | 1 | 1-2-0 |
25 |
|
The protection got here up enormous within the victory over the Falcons. They made Michel Penix Jr. look terrible with the picks and strain. | 6 | 1-2-0 |
26 |
|
At 0-3, they’ve main issues. The outlet is likely to be an actual problem to climb out of with their schedule. C.J. Stroud simply would not look proper. | 3 | 0-3-0 |
27 |
|
Have they got a MIchael Penix Jr. downside? It is appeared prefer it the previous two weeks. The second-year quarterback has to select it up. | 11 | 1-2-0 |
28 |
|
It is time. Sit Russell Wilson down. Did you see him towards the Chiefs? He was unhealthy with two picks and failed to attain on a late drive in ugly trend. | 2 | 0-3-0 |
29 |
|
They confirmed some combat towards the Payments, which is an efficient signal for Mike McDaniel. However they cannot lose to the Jets at dwelling this week — or heads may roll. | 2 | 0-3-0 |
30 |
|
At 0-3, they’re in a giant gap and there actually is not a lot optimism about getting out of it. It would not matter who performs quarterback. | 1 | 0-3-0 |
31 |
|
It is going to be a protracted, lengthy season. The remainder of the best way must be about creating Cameron Ward, who hasn’t appeared nice. | 1 | 0-3-0 |
32 |
|
Gross. Gross. Gross. That is how one can describe what occurred in Seattle. That is what occurs when cap and age catch as much as a crew. | — | 0-3-0 |
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