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NFL power rankings: 2019 edition – Patriots finish on top, again

By Russell S. Baxter

ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 03: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots and teammate Tom Brady #12 celebrate at the end of the Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. The New England Patriots defeat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – DEC 30: Lavonte David (54) of the Bucs looks into the offensive backfield during the regular season game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 30, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – DEC 30: Lavonte David (54) of the Bucs looks into the offensive backfield during the regular season game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 30, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11)

4th Place, NFC South

Season Review: It wound up being yet another disappointing year for a team that has now finished last in the NFC South in seven of the past eight seasons dating back to 2011. The Buccaneers got off to a 2-0 start thanks to some serious passing numbers from quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. However, the Tampa defense continued to be a major disappointment and coordinator Mike Smith lost his job during the season. Once again, there was little semblance of a running game (29th in the NFL) and the team wound up committing a NFL-high 35 turnovers – 30 of those by Jameis Winston (17) and Fitzpatrick (13).

2018 Turning Point: At 5-7, the Buccaneers were still in the NFC playoff race. In Week 14, the team owned a 14-3 halftime lead over the Saints in Tampa. But the team’s penchant for self-destruction struck again in a 28-14 loss. It was the first of four straight losses to close ‘18 and the end for head coach Dirk Koetter.

2019 Priorities: There’s already a long of excitement surrounding a club that hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2007. Can new head coach Bruce Arians cure what ails Winston? Can the defense finally get its act together under new coordinator Todd Bowles? Finding a reliable running game would help as well.

Next: No. 26

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