NFL power rankings: Post-preseason 32-team breakdown before Week 1

NFL power rankings: 32-team post-preseason breakdown ahead of Week 1

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterbacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons and Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles meet after their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 13, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Falcons 24-15. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

5 of 33

CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 24: Peyton Barber #25 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball against the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Previous: . Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 29. team. 48. .

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers get a nice small boost in rankings heading towards Week 1, especially after their first-team defense held the Detroit Lions to just six first-half points back on Aug. 24.

One of the big takeaways from that game was seeing running back Peyton Barber lock in the No. 1 spot on the depth chart after rushing for 34 yards on five carries for a touchdown. The Bucs’ ground game and defensive efforts were major question marks heading into 2018, so both are pretty good signs.

But the reality now begins for Tampa Bay.

Quarterback Jameis Winston’s three-game suspension kicks in, and it couldn’t come at a tougher point on the schedule. The Buccaneers open up in Week 1 on the road against the Saints before hosting the Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles and defending-AFC North champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in Weeks 2 and 3, respectively.

Barring the miraculous, the Buccaneers are going to start 0-3 and Barber goes wild and that defense exceeds expectations.