Entering Week 4, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had the chance to prove to the NFL world that they belong in the Super Bowl conversation, and after the 31-25 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, given the nature of the game, we aren't sure if Tampa's stock is up or down.
The first half wasn't good, with the Eagles leading 24-6 at halftime, but in the second half, Tampa came roaring back to be within six points and had a shot at going for the win in the fourth quarter, but fell short.
It was a classic game of two halves, and the Buccaneers, in Eric Edholm's latest power rankings for NFL.com, dropped two spots, down to No. 7.
“If Tampa Bay can make it to the Week 9 bye in decent injury shape, I still think Todd Bowles' team will be dangerous in January,” Edholm wrote.
More: Buccaneers get worrying Bucky Irving injury update
Buccaneers hit with brutal injury list
Last season, the Buccaneers almost saw their season go down the drain early due to a host of injuries on both sides of the ball, and we were hopeful that this year, Todd Bowles and his staff would get some respite.
Oh, how naive we were.
The post-mortem of the Eagles loss saw a host of players needing MRIs to determine the severity of the injuries suffered, and when asked about which players needed an MRI, Bowles gave an answer that tells you all you need to know about Tampa's injury troubles.
"Quite a few, I can't even name them all," Bowles said.
With the Seattle Seahawks up next, things don't get easier for the Buccaneers, but hopefully, tests come back positive for a host of players as Tampa needs all hands on deck to avoid its good start to the year going to waste.
More Buccaneers news:
- Buccaneers' Chris Godwin gives unbelievable scouting report on Emeka Ebguka | Sporting News
- Bucky Irving injury update leaves Buccaneers RB's status for Week 5 in question | Sporting News
- Buccaneers urged to take 'accountability' for poor Eagles loss | Sporting News
- Baker Mayfield reveals 1 key reason Buccaneers lost to Eagles | Sporting News