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2018 NFL Power Rankings Week 2: Eagles barely hold off Falcons

By Dan Parzych

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 06: Jordan Hicks #58 and Chris Long #56 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrate after sacking Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 6, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 06: Jordan Hicks #58 and Chris Long #56 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrate after sacking Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 6, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In what was easily the biggest surprise win of opening weekend, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, one of the top disappointments from 2017, pulled off the shocking win on the road against the New Orleans Saints, and put up 48 points in the process. Many expected the Buccaneers to be in for a rude awakening over the first month of the regular season since Jameis Winston was dealing with a three-game suspension, but Ryan Fitzpatrick made any fantasy football owner that was crazy enough to start him plenty of reasons to smile.

Against a top defense from a year ago in the Saints, Fitzpatrick absolutely torched his division rivals after throwing for 417 yards to go along with five touchdowns (one rushing). With weapons in Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson to work with in the passing game, Tampa Bay put Fitzpatrick in a great position to make his job easier under center, but nobody expected this kind of impact in New Orleans.

Could this eventually lead to a quarterback controversy once Winston is eligible to return? Obviously, it’s still way too early to tell, but if Fitzpatrick seems like he’s going to give the Buccaneers their best chance of winning games, and competing in the NFC, the team has no choice other than to consider the possibility.

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