No 'style points' for top-rated Buccaneers in latest power rankings

Adam Schultz

No 'style points' for top-rated Buccaneers in latest power rankings image

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came into their Week 1 clash against the Atlanta Falcons seen as an NFC dark horse, and the 23-20 victory won't exactly win any awards for aesthetics.

But at this time of the season, banking early wins is crucial, style points far less so, and while the Buccaneers started poorly, Baker Mayfield and the offense clicked into gear somewhat to escape with the first win of the new year.

Seen as a top team in football, mainly due to the offensive weaponry at Mayfield's disposal, does the Week 1 win and how the Buccaneers looked while getting it, impact their standing in Eric Edholm's latest power rankings for NFL.com? 

As it turns out, no, with Tampa Bay coming in high, at No. 6. 

"Style points be damned in this one, as the Bucs logged a division win on the road in Week 1," Edholm writes.

MORE: Jets' Aaron Glenn 'disappointed but highly encouraged' by Week 1 loss

Buccaneers have teeth into season after Falcons win

We get the sense that head coach Todd Bowles won't be too strict on how his team played in Week 1, given they got the win, but make no mistake about it, there's plenty of room for improvement.

Mayfield threw for just 167 yards, while the much-vaunted rushing attack of Bucky Irving and Rachaad White yielded just 51 rushing yards combined from 16 carries, as Baker was the offense's leading rusher (39 yards).

So that won't be the norm going forward with Irving and White seen as a top running back duo in football, so this was more likely shaking the rust off, and the fact that a win was obtained makes it even better for the defending NFC South champs.

Week 1 is in the books, and the Buccaneers will now look forward to facing a Houston Texans team that will be looking for their first win.

And style points will be on the agenda.

MORE NFL NEWS:

Adam Schultz

Adam Schultz is a freelance writer at The Sporting News. An Australian journalist with years of experience covering the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL, Adam has interviewed several high-profile athletes in Australia for various sites and brings a unique view on the NFL.