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NFL power rankings: 32-team overreactions heading into Week 2

ByPeter Panacy|
FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates after a touchdown by Phillip Dorsett #13 (not pictured) during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - SEPTEMBER 09: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates after a touchdown by Phillip Dorsett #13 (not pictured) during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 9: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 9, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Buccaneers defeated the Saints 48-40. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 9: Ryan Fitzpatrick #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 9, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Buccaneers defeated the Saints 48-40. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Two or three years ago, a shootout between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints wouldn’t have been too big a surprise.

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But the 48-40 Week 1 bout was yet another one of those weird contests. After all, the Saints are supposed to be a Super Bowl contender, especially on defense. The Bucs, meanwhile, are supposed to be terrible this season.

Just no one told Tampa Bay.

Without quarterback Jameis Winston (suspension), backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick emulated his heyday with the Jets from not long ago, tossing for an astounding 417 yards with four touchdowns, zero interceptions and a passer rating of 156.3.

Yeah, you read that right.

Wide receivers Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson each nearly reached 150 yards receiving too, finally showcasing what the Buccaneers offense should have looked like last season.

Granted, the Bucs defense still looks bad. But their ability to knock off a contender in the Saints this early in the season surely warrants a nice climb in our NFL power rankings heading into Week 2.

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