Buccaneers Slide In Power Rankings After Big Loss To Eagles

You lose games, you fall down in the power rankings and that's exactly what happened to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3. After a disappointing 25-11 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles that saw the Bucs fail to get anything going on offense until it was too little too late, Tampa Bay has dropped in the power rankings.

However, for most outlets, the Bucs only fell slightly down the ranks. Most realize the mismatch the team faced against the Eagles and see Tampa Bay as the team to beat in the NFC South. They'll have a chance to prove it on Sunday when they take on the Saints in New Orleans.

Here's where the Buccaneers stand in the most recent power rankings around the league after Week 3.

NFL.com

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (21)

With so many teams above them last week losing in Week 3, the Buccaneers actually rise despite a humbling game vs. Philadelphia. Mike Evans destroyed the Bears in Week 2, then let a would-be touchdown bounce off his hands on Monday night. Baker Mayfield's INT-less streak is over. Rachaad White lost a fumble and was taken down for a safety.

Tampa Bay's offensive line was under siege all night. It was just one of those games. Mayfield battled, and the defense came up with some big stops in key spots, but the Bucs were actually a little fortunate the Eagles didn't hang 35-plus on them. Tampa might need to reevaluate the ground game a bit. White had no chance on a few runs, including the safety, and the offensive line has to shoulder some of this blame, but the Bucs are just not that efficient pounding the ball.

ESPN.com

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (13)

The Buccaneers have managed to move the ball well, even with a ground game that's still trying to shake last year's league-worst ranking. But scoring in the red zone is their biggest problem right now; they scored only one touchdown on four red zone tries in Week 2 against the Bears. Through Weeks 1 and 2, their 33.33% red zone touchdown percentage is second to last in the league. -- Jenna Laine

FOX Sports

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (12)

I don't think most people truly believed the Bucs were on Philly’s level. They had early chances on Monday night, but the Eagles dominated in the long run. An expected result, but it sets up an intriguing matchup with the Saints. That just might determine the early team to beat in the NFC South.

CBS Sports

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (11)

They didn't look good in losing to the Eagles. Both sides of the ball struggled. Now comes a key division game against New Orleans and likely former Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston.

NBC Sports

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (14)

As long as they win the games they should win, they’ll be fine.

Yahoo

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (18)

Everyone knew the Bucs weren't one of the NFL's elite teams just because they started 2-0, but it had to be disheartening to get just 174 yards on the Eagles. They got 75 of those yards on a fourth-quarter drive after the Eagles already had a 25-3 lead. The good news is there's no team as good as the Eagles, or even close, in the NFC South.

USA Today

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (22)

Couldn't run the ball Monday night against Philadelphia, turned it over for the first time this season and got handled in the trenches – exactly what the Bucs (or any team) don't want to be.

The 33rd Team

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: (20)

Philadelphia has one of the most talented rosters in the league, so it’s no surprise the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost decisively to the Eagles. Tampa Bay still has a solid defense, but at the end of the day, Baker Mayfield is the team’s starting quarterback. We saw on Monday there aren’t any real positives when the Buccaneers face real NFL defenses.

You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.

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