2021 NFL Power Rankings: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rank in terms of average, best and worst:

Average ranking: 5.0 (5th)
Best ranking: 4th (Multiple)
Worst ranking: 7th (CBS Sports)

Below you will find a Week 9 roundup for the Bucs in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 4

Biggest Achilles' heel: Penalties

If the secondary was the Bucs' Achilles' heel last season, penalties are this season. The Bucs' 59 penalties this season are one shy of the league high of 60 by the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bucs' 580 yards in penalties are also the most in the league. Their 11 penalties for 99 yards were a key culprit in their 36-27 loss Sunday to the Saints, who were able to advance the ball despite losing Jameis Winston. -- Jenna Laine

NFL.com -- Rank: 5

Is Dennis Allen Tom Brady's kryptonite? Brady has shredded just about every team in the NFC since his arrival in the conference last season, but the Saints continue to give the G.O.A.T. problems. Brady has seven interceptions in his four Bucs games against the Saints -- he's thrown 13 interceptions total in his 24 other games with Tampa Bay. The Bucs hit their bye in good shape at 6-2, but failing to close out a game in which Trevor Siemian logged significant snaps on the other side was not optimal. Said Bruce Arians: "That was an embarrassing display of football."

CBS Sports -- Rank: 7

The defense just isn't good enough right now. When they let Trevor Siemian beat them, there are issues.

USA Today -- Rank: 4

Yes, bad loss to New Orleans, a team Tampa Bay can't beat -- when it doesn't really count for all that much. Whatever. The Bucs were also 6-2 at this point in 2020 and currently possess the league's No. 1 passing offense, most decorated quarterback and coolest head coach. They're fine ... and the week off will do the older guys some good.

The Athletic -- Rank: 5

How's the head coach? Bruce Arians called Sunday's loss at New Orleans "an embarrassing display of football" -- three turnovers (all by Tom Brady) and 11 penalties for 99 yards. That's a rough way to head into your bye. Best wishes, though, to Washington: It awaits Tampa Bay after Arians and Brady spend two weeks stewing over the loss.

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