NFL power rankings, Week 14: Texans rise, Packers fade
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 22. team. 48. . 5-7. Previous:
Recap: Dirk Koetter’s team welcomed the rival Panthers to Tampa looking to avenge a 42-28 loss at Carolina back in Week 9. And the Buccaneers’ defense came up big in a surprising way. The team had picked off only three passes in their first 11 games of the season and they finished the afternoon with four interceptions of Cam Newton – three of those by safety Andrew Adams. Meanwhile. Bucs’ quarterback Jameis Winston overcame four sacks and threw for 249 yards and two scores and was not picked off. He also led the team with 48 yards rushing on five attempts as the team equaled their win total of a year ago with four weeks to play.
Next Week: Thanks to a 48-40 win in Week 1 at the Superdome over the New Orleans Saints, the Bucs are in position to sweep their NFC South rival for the first time since 2007. Tampa Bay has more than held its own in this series as of late, winning four of the last seven meetings dating back to 2015.
Playoff hopes: While this doesn’t look like a team headed to the playoffs, the Buccaneers are climbing up the NFC South standings as the Panthers and Atlanta Falcons continue to spiral downward. This team has played better as of late and perhaps a strong finish could wind up meaning good things for this club in numerous ways.
Next: No. 21