Buccaneers Down Four Spots in NFL Power Rankings Following Loss to Saints

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' failure to secure a playoff spot in Week 17 has also knocked them down the NFL Power Rankings.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are holding a razor-thin lead in the NFC South Division and anything but a win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 18 is likely to kill any momentum and goodwill the team had built up during their four-game winning streak earlier this year.

Technically, a tie against the Panthers still leaves the window open if the Atlanta Falcons help the Buccaneers out with a win or tie against the New Orleans Saints this weekend. But why leave it to chance?

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After all, following the loss Tampa Bay fell four spots in the NFL's Power Rankings to No. 14 while the Saints climbed six spots to No. 17.

"Week 17's showing was not what we expected, with Tampa trailing 20-zip well into the fourth quarter against the desperate Saints," writes NFL.com. "The Bucs entered the game oozing with confidence, having put together their best stretch of the season through the first four weeks of December. They then reverted back to some old, bad habits in the loss, putting themselves in a win-or-else situation in Week 18...I considered dropping the Bucs even farther, especially as Baker Mayfield is now dealing with some sore ribs, but for now, they lie just on the playoff cusp, which feels about right."

Nov 26, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass to warm up before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

On Monday coach Todd Bowles said that Mayfield would be fine for Sunday against the Panthers, but if that changes then third-year backup Kyle Trask would get the start with the entire season on the line. No pressure.

While the Bucs look to salvage their season this weekend they may also be playing for Bowles' job with many viewing a division title with the NFC South in the state its in currently as less of an achievement, and struggling to do so actually highlights the deficiencies in roster and scheme.

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Quarterback Tom Brady retired after the 2022 NFL Season - Bowles' first leading the Buccaneers - and many pointed to the coach's mismanagement of offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and the roster as big reasons why the legend looked more pedestrian than ever before.

If Bowles is out, it's possible Mayfield will go with him, and they could be the first two dominoes to fall in what could be a highly transformative offseason. 

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