NFL Power Rankings: October Edition finds LA Rams rising

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The 3-2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers really have not defeated a good team yet. After the grand hype of the offseason, many expected the Buccaneers to be 5-0 at this point and securely in the driver’s seat for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.  Still, games have to be played. And games have a way of surprising overconfident teams.

2020 Summary

After five games, the Buccaneers appear to have enough pieces to win games, but they all appear to be on track to different tempos. The Buccaneers lost their latest game to the Chicago Bears and then lost defensive lineman Vita Vea for the season to a broken ankle

2020 Outlook

The Bucs still have a favorable schedule and must fail miserably to end this season with fewer than 10 wins. Still, this team already resembles a team that is beginning to show signs of difficulties ahead. WR Mike Evans is nursing an ankle injury. Rob Gronkowski looks as though he has been out of football for five years. And even quarterback Tom Brady is on track to throw the most interceptions in his career.

Adding free agents is not always the answer for an immediate return. The Buccaneers were 7-9 a year ago. While they appear to be on track for a better season, they have lost two of their first five games. They are not a slam dunk to win anything this year.