Youngbuc

Moving up another three spots to No. 16 after a 16-0 shutout proves that pundits are finally starting to respect what happens when a team completely redefines how a football game is won. Here is where the Bucs stand heading into Week 9. Rank: 16 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5) Movement: Up 3 spots The Bucs won a game without completing a pass. They also ran for 322 yards amid an absolute monsoon in Tampa. If there is any team in the NFL whom I would expect to pull off a performance like this, it is these Buccaneers.   The defense is suddenly transforming into an elite unit, and that kind of dominance on both sides of the trenches is exactly what can power a team straight to a division title.  At 3-5, the momentum is real, and the rest of the NFC South should take notice.

After sliding down the board following that tough stretch, the Bucs finally gave us something to smile about. Following that dominant 43-13 statement win over Carolina, the power rankings are finally starting to respect what this team can do when they put a complete game together. Here is where the Bucs stand heading into Week 8. Rank: 19 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-5) Movement: Up 8 spots Don't look now, but the Buccaneers are starting to look like a competent football team. Tampa Bay bumrushed Carolina with a stellar defensive showing that rendered Bryce Young ineffective at best, scored a defensive touchdown and a two-point conversion, forced four turnovers, and buried the Panthers in a 27-point hole by halftime. Bucky Irving is finding his groove too, breaking 100 rushing yards for the second time in three weeks behind an offensive line that paved the way for nearly 260 yards on the ground. The NFC South is still wide open, and if this team keeps running the ball like...

Well, it could always be worse. After losing yet another one-score-game against the Steelers this past Sunday, the Bucs dropped to 1-5 on the season and four spots in the power rankings.  The Bucs are now currently ranked 27th out of 32 teams. Firmly entrenched in the lower half of the league, the Bucs need an immediate turnaround to salvage this disappointing season. They can do exactly that with two divisional games coming up.  Baker Mayfield may return this week. Having him back in the lineup could give the offense a boost but the Youngbuc has yet to see anything out of them thus far, even with him in the lineup. Perhaps the time off will give Baker a new perspective on the offense's failings so far this season. 

Cellar dwellers no longer. The Bucs have climbed out of the basement of the power rankings after their upset win over the Dallas Cowboys  on Thursday night.  The Bucs are now ranked 23rd out of 32 teams. The Bucs climbed seven spots this week after securing a spot at 30 just one week ago. The ranking is still low but it looks like a dominant win during Primetime is helping to shift national perception. The Bucs went into the game against Dallas as 8.5-point underdogs. The Youngbuc thinks starting an undrafted rookie at quarterback had a lot to do with those bad odds. Jalon Daniels showed juice, however. He showed he can play well in the NFL and secure wins with Baker Mayfield sidelined. If the Bucs can win against a beatable Steelers team at home you can expect another bump in the power rankings next week. 

Bad news for national sentiment on this 2026 version of the Bucs.  The Bucs are now ranked 30th out of 32 teams. If you don't find that disheartening I don't know what to tell you. The Bucs are cellar dwellers as of now, keeping company with teams such as the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers, and the Tennessee Titans.  With that being said, hope for a turnaround is not yet lost on the Youngbuc. The Bucs have yet to play an NFC South rival. If they find some way to string a few wins together things can turn around fast.  Todd Bowles has shown some ability in the past to deliver in high pressure moments. Let's see if he can this week against Dallas' high-powered offense. 

What a long way to fall. Even after a week 1 loss to the Bengals, the Bucs were still being slotted in the upper half of the league in the NFL Power Rankings. This week, their ranking is more indicative of their play so far this season. The Bucs are currently ranked 29th out of 32 teams. It has been a while since this Youngbuc has seen a ranking this low. Any hype this team once had has left the building. The road does not get any easier for the Bucs from here. Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels is slated to start in place of an injured Baker Mayfield for the next few weeks. If he shows some juice against a beatable Packers team, expect the Bucs to start working their way back up the rankings. If not, their place in the doldrums might be secured for the rest of the season. No team since realignment has started 0-4 and made the playoffs.