NFL Power Rankings 2018: Week 1 has finally arrived

2018 NFL Power Rankings: Week 1 has finally arrived

By Dan Parzych | Sep 3, 2018

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles is congratulated by his teammate Carson Wentz #11 after his 11-yard touchdown pass during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (28)

Last year was filled with plenty of disappointing teams that failed to live up to expectations, and when looking at teams that ranked near the top of the list, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were right up there. After falling just shy of earning a playoff spot the year before, many expected the Buccaneers to finally take a major leap in the NFC, and after falling short of their goal in 2017, the pressure is on once again for this season.

Of course, that’s going to be easier said than done for Tampa Bay since the team faces a difficult challenge in the month of September by playing the first three games without their top quarterback in Jameis Winston as a result of a suspension. And while the Buccaneers seem confident enough in Fitzpatrick handling the duties in the mean time since the veteran will have receivers in Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson to work with, there are no guarantees for success.

Also, it should be noted that each of those three games Winston will miss happen to be against three teams that reached the playoffs last season. Winning just one of those games would be huge for the Buccaneers, but if the team goes 0-3, it will make Winston’s job even more difficult upon his return.

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