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2021 NFL Power Rankings, Week 5: Cowboys make statement, Cardinals take the top spot

By Randy Gurzi

Oct 3, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (3) recovers the fumble against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (3) recovers the fumble against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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2021 NFL Power Rankings
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 03: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers high fives offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels of the New England Patriots prior to the game at Gillette Stadium on October 03, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

. Previous: 6th. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 5. team. 48.

All eyes were on Foxborough this week as Sunday Night Football brought us the return of Tom Brady. After 20 years of being the hero for the New England Patriots, Brady returned to Gillette Stadium as the enemy, facing off against his old team for the first time ever.

And as fate would have it, it was a tight contest the entire game as Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were given everything they could handle from the Pats. Mac Jones did his best to take down Brady, throwing for 275 yards on 31-of-40 passing. He even gave his team a 17-16 lead in the fourth quarter, but then Brady got to work.

The veteran went 45 yards in seven plays and set up a 48-yard field goal from Ryan Succop. If there was anything to criticize about this drive, it would be the fact that Brady seemed to go for it all, and missed twice to Antonio Bryant, rather than try and milk the clock.

That opened the door for Jones who got them to the Tampa Bay 37, but Nick Folk’s kick just missed as the Bucs took back over and got into victory formation. Now at 3-1, Tampa Bay is playing well and they have a meeting with another team Brady knows well, the Miami Dolphins, next Sunday.

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