:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/3204293/156047511.0.jpg)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to soar, moving up to 13th on average after being ranked 15th last week. The Bucs are nearly in playoff position, if power rankings counted for playoff spots. Too bad they don't.
SB Nation - 14th (up from 17th):
I'm not sure anyone realizes the Bucs are actually really good. All four losses have come by one score. They've now won three in a row and four of their last five. They'll have to steal one from Atlanta or New Orleans if they're thinking playoffs, though.
The Buccaneers have scored at least 28 points in each of their past five games, a franchise record. (Sando)
Fox Sports (Brian Billick) - 10th (up from 11th):
The Bucs have scored 28 or more points in a team-record five straight games. It is no coincidence that Josh Freeman hasn't thrown a pick in the last four.
CBS Sports (Pete Prisco) - 13th (up from 15th):
Watch out. Here come the Bucs. That offense is playing well, but the defense made some big plays against the Chargers.
Pro Football Weekly - 14th (up from 17th):
One of NFL's hottest teams got help from opportunistic "D."
Pro Football Talk - 14th (up from 15th):
If this team played in a Super Bowl hosted at Raymond James Stadium, the game still may not sell out.
NFL.com (Elliot Harrison) - 12th (up from 13th):
Resilient performance from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Philip Rivers did whatever he wanted to do on their field in the first half, but whatever second-half adjustments Greg Schiano's staff made, they worked. Tampa picked Rivers twice in the fourth quarter, and outscored San Diego 17-3 over the final 30 minutes. Don't look now, but this club is 5-4 and in the thick of the NFC wild-card race.