Buccaneers Shoot Up In NFL Power Rankings After Fourth Straight Win

The Tampa Bay Bucs are one of the hottest teams in the NFL. Where did national media outlets rank them in their weekly power rankings?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are just one win away from clinching the NFC South division for the third straight season. The thing that makes things different this season, is the Bucs don't have Tom Brady. Instead, they have Baker Mayfield who has been red hot in December. In the past four games, Mayfield has thrown a TD-INT ratio of 10-1. 

The league is starting to see the Buccaneers as a legitimate threat in the NFC. Where did national media outlets rank the Bucs in their power rankings headed into Week 17?

NFL.com

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+5)

It's hard to believe that the same team that lost six of seven through the end of November now has a pretty clear-cut path to the NFC South crown: Tampa just needs to win one of the final two division games remaining. This would be the Bucs' third straight division title, and it would be the least likely of the trio. Baker Mayfield was viewed by some as a bridge QB who, though perhaps able to keep the team competitive in the wake of Tom Brady's retirement, was at a career crossroads. Consider the road crossed. Mayfield has been terrific over the past two weeks, and he's putting together one of his stronger seasons all told, if not his best. Sunday also was a great day for the Bucs' defense, which has had its share of ups and downs, with the big-play factor keeping that unit thriving. This is suddenly a team you must respect.

Buccaneers Legend Tom Brady Reveals NFL Team He'll Never Cheer For

Bleacher Report

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+6)

There hasn't been a more mercurial team in the NFL this year than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Buccaneers were 3-1 at the bye. They then lost six of seven to seemingly fall out of the playoff race in the NFC. But after blasting the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, the Bucs have won four in a row and control their own destiny in the NFC South.

While addressing the media, Tampa head coach Todd Bowles singled out the play of quarterback Baker Mayfield while applauding the entire team's ability to rally at this most important time of the year.

"(Mayfield has) been outstanding in December. That's what you want from your quarterback," Bowles said. "We're piecing it together. Everybody's playing for each other. Everybody's locked in, and we're trying to get in. We're clawing, we're scratching, doing everything we can."

Sobleski likes Mayfield's chances of getting the Buccaneers into the postseason for the fourth straight season.

"Baker Mayfield has taken control of the Buccaneers franchise, which is trending in the right direction with four straight victories," he said. "The team jelled at the right time, and it continues to hold a game advantage (plus tiebreakers) toward another NFC South title. During the aforementioned stretch, Mayfield posted a nine-to-one touchdown-to-interception ratio. Whether he re-signs in the offseason remains undecided. But the 2018 No. 1 overall draft pick is making the most of his opportunity in Tampa."

Baker Mayfield Gets Massive Pay Day if Buccaneers Win NFC South

Yahoo Sports

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+6)

The Bucs suddenly look like a team you don't want to face in the playoffs. If the Buccaneers win the division, they're very likely to face the Cowboys in the wild-card round. Given the Cowboys' road woes through the season, that game will be very, very interesting. Don't sleep on this Buccaneers team. There's a reason they take a big jump in this week's rankings.

CBS Sports

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+6)

Baker Mayfield is playing outstanding football. The Bucs have a real playoff shot and could be dangerous if they do win the NFC South.

ESPN

10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+5)

USA Today

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+4)

Sure, their four-game heater has come against a quartet of struggling teams. But do you want to head to Tampa for postseason to face this defense and an offensive trio – QB Baker Mayfield, WR Mike Evans, RB Rachaad White – that's been as effective as it has been unheralded?

The Buccaneers will now host the New Orleans Saints with a chance to clinch the NFC South.

Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage, news and analysis throughout the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2023 season.

Follow BucsGameday on Twitter and Facebook