The Buccaneers are legit.
Buccaneers continue Super Bowl surge in latest power rankings originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
I recall the preseason when skeptics questioned Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers, especially with another new offensive coordinator, wondering if Mayfield could sustain his rise to become one of the top quarterbacks in football. Well, they look silly now.
Plus, the Buccaneers were thought to be a dark horse for the NFC. They are one of the favorites now, and sitting at 5-1 with all of the injuries on both sides of the ball, Tampa Bay is only going to get stronger, which is a scary thought.
After the battling 30-19 win over the San Francisco 49ers, the Buccaneers are now put into the legitimate Super Bowl contender basket, and for NFL.com's Eric Edholm, in his latest power rankings, Tampa Bay is top of the pile.
“Every single Sunday, Baker Mayfield seems to make one hellacious play with his legs, completely flummoxing the defense and invariably inspiring his teammates,” Edholm writes. “The WR ranks remain painfully thin, but with Mayfield under center, the Buccaneers always have a chance. Tampa Bay faces a tough road game this coming Monday night in Detroit, but the Bucs have shown they'll go into any lion's den and compete.”
More:Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield ties Patrick Mahomes for recent NFL QB record
Buccaneers face NFC test vs. Lions
Yes, the Buccaneers have swept through the NFL thus far, but now comes perhaps the biggest test Todd Bowles' team will face - the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Oh, and Dan Campbell's team will be a little ticked off after getting manhandled by the Kansas City Chiefs in a 30-17 loss.
With Chris Godwin and Bucky Irving not likely to suit up due to injury, and Mike Evans also in doubt, it is going to take something special from Mayfield and the offense to keep pace with the Lions.
But one thing we know about this team is that they won't quit, and even down a handful of weapons against the 49ers, Mayfield and Co. still found a way to win. More of the same will be needed in Detroit.
The Buccaneers are the talk of the NFL town right now, but some are skeptical of them as a Super Bowl contender. But beat the Lions on the road? Yeah, that stamps them as genuine contenders.
More Buccaneers news:
- Todd Bowles reveals 'gut feeling' of 5-1 Buccaneers | Sporting News
- Buccaneers get brutal injury update ahead of key Lions clash | Sporting News
- Bucs' Bucky Irving, Chris Godwin get negative Week 7 injury updates from Todd Bowles | Sporting News
- How long is Emeka Egbuka out? Buccaneers suffer another WR injury as rookie goes down | Sporting News
Category: Football
