Tampa Bay Buccaneers Dropping Drastically In NFL Power Rankings

After the Buccaneers' Week 9 loss, media outlets continue to drop them in their power rankings.

In Week 9, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost their fourth consecutive game. The Bucs' defense had their worst game in recent memory which ultimately led to Tampa Bay's defeat.

The Bucs had a hot start to the season with a 3-1 record but have since looked like a completely different team. Ultimately, every single player or coach can improve in certain areas.

For the past few weeks, NFL media outlets have had the Buccaneers drop in their power rankings. That trend continues with the Bucs losing yet another game. Here are the Buccaneers' power rankings by site headed into Week 10.

READ MORE: Is Buccaneers' Head Coach Todd Bowles in Jeopardy of Being Fired

NFL.com

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1)

Just as the Bucs' passing game got cooking downfield vs. Houston on Sunday, their defense, which is typically very good, was flambéed. That this happened against the best rookie quarterback in the NFL will be of little solace for a Tampa team that lost its third straight one-score game and can't seem to get all three units flowing simultaneously. Tampa played all two- and three-deep looks and tried to force C.J. Stroud to check down. Instead, Stroud carved up the Bucs' zones relentlessly. The pass rush got home a few times, but Stroud seemed unfazed by it. So many good things came out of this game -- Baker Mayfield, Rachaad White, Cade Otton -- but the defense just had a bad day at the office.

NBC Sports

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3)

The wheels are coming off.

CBS Sports

25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-4)

They've lost four straight games, even if three were close losses. What has happened to that defense? 

ESPN

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3)

The Buccaneers' defense may be struggling, but Winfield Jr. has been exceptional. He has 2 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, and 4 pass breakups so far this season.

USA Today

21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2)

For all the good they did, the 37 points they posted Sunday were more than they scored in any game last year with QB Tom Brady.

READ MORE: Former Buccaneer Tom Brady to Have a Say in Raiders Head Coach Search

Bleacher Report

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2)

Back on October 1, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hit the bye week a 3-1 team that was one of the more pleasant surprises in the NFL.

Fast forward just over another month, and the Buccaneers are a 3-5 team that just allowed the greatest passing performance by a rookie in NFL history on the way to a devastating last-second loss.

Leading by four with just 46 seconds left, the Tampa defense collapsed, allowing the Texans to march down the field with next to no resistance. While speaking to reporters afterward, head coach Todd Bowles admitted that this loss is a tough one to swallow.

"It's a devastating loss, no doubt about it," Bowles said. "We've got to eat it. All of us feel the same way, especially me. I've been coaching a long time. I haven't been involved in too many of these where it's been back and forth like that and came down on the other end with a few things happening."

"Baker Mayfield had to be wondering what it takes to lead his team to victory after the Buccaneers handed the game to the Houston Texans," Sobleski said. "After leading two fourth-quarter touchdown drives, including what looked to be the game-winner with only 46 seconds remaining, Tampa Bay's defense subsequently allowed C.J. Stroud and the Texans offense to march 75 yards on six plays to score the actual game-winning touchdown. The Bucs have now lost four straight. Despite the solid-to-good play from the quarterback position—which was supposed to be the team's biggest weakness this season—Tampa Bay is now 3-5, with no direction whatsoever."

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will try to break their four-game losing streak in Week 10 while hosting the Tennessee Titans.

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