:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61620637/1043762288.jpg.0.jpg)
The Buccaneers caught many people by surprise after the first two weeks of the 2018 season after starting 2-0. Since then, Tampa Bay lost the last two and have taken hits in power rankings across several outlets.
Top 10 power rankings included the Bucs for many. Led by a streaky Ryan Fitzpatrick under center, many viewed Fitz & Co. as a viable threat to opponents.
However, the Steelers brought the Bucs back down to earth on Monday Night Football in Week 3. Although they kept it close, they remained high on certain rankings. But the embarrassing one-sided loss to Chicago this past Sunday has caused them to dip drastically on many lists.
Below is a roundup of where Tampa Bay sits in the power rankings of various outlets after Week 4.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 2-2
Week 4 ranking: 13
Rookie snaps leader: DB Carlton Davis, 231 snaps out of 255 (90.6 percent). He is one of seven rookies to play in at least 90 percent of his team’s defensive snaps. He is one of three Buccaneers with multiple pass breakups this season. -- Masi
24. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-2)
Last Week’s rank: 17
Points in poll: 89
Highest-place vote: 21 (1)
Lowest-place vote: 27 (1)
Last week’s result: Loss 48-10 at Chicago
Next game: Bye
If Ryan Fitzpatrick earned the starting job for his performance the first three weeks, it’s a little surprising the Bucs would yank it back so quickly. The defense was the biggest problem in Chicago.
19. Buccaneers (5): “Jameis Winston is the guy that’s going to be here way longer than I am,” Dirk Koetter said Monday. Could ‘way longer’ be a few months?
Previous rank: No. 8
So, that was rather quick, no? The Fitzmagic era in Tampa appears over, at least for now, after the veteran quarterback’s rough outing against the best defense he’s faced this season. Ryan Fitzpatrick couldn’t even make it to the third quarter in Chicago before Dirk Koetter pulled (yanked) on the leash. Despite the fact that the Bucs are on a bye this week, Koetter wasted no time in announcing Jameis Winston the starter for Week 6. Cool. What about the postgame comment about firing himself and everybody else? Guess that won’t happen. But they will have fun living with the fact that Mitch Trubisky -- Mitch Trubisky -- torched them Sunday.
And over at the mothership, SB Nation ranks the Bucs 18 and previously ranked them No. 9.