B/R Experts Week 5 NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Each Team Stand? | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Result week 4: Won against Philadelphia 33-16

It’s time for humanity to come to terms with something that not long ago would have been laughed at: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is real.

For the second time in September, Mayfield had a great game in Sunday’s replay of last year’s Wild Card win against the Eagles – 347 passing yards, two passing scores and another touchdown on the ground. The Buccaneers outgained the Eagles 254 yards to zero and built a 24-0 lead.

“I definitely wanted to get the taste (of last week) out of our mouths,” Mayfield said. “It started quickly because the boys were just locked in. We came out with a head-to-head mentality. Everyone was adamant about what the plan was and we implemented it. This has to be the case every week. This is how we have to start.”

But despite Sunday’s impressive win and a three-game sweep in September, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles cautioned against putting the cart before the horse.

“The season lasts four quarters,” Bowles said. “We still have three quarters to go and we have to perform and play like this every quarter.”

The Buccaneers have another big game coming up on Thursday night – a trip to Atlanta to take on the Falcons. Win this contest and Tampa will have a firm grip on the top of the NFC South.

Given how she looked in Week 4, we wouldn’t bet against her.

“Don’t look now,” Sobleski said, “but Baker Mayfield is in the early MVP conversation. His standing with the Buccaneers isn’t just a good story of rebirth after failures in previous outings. “He’s a real top quarterback now.” In his second season in Tampa, Mayfield ranks fourth with eight passing touchdowns (984) and leads the NFC South standings with 106.9.”