The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 16-13 victory against division rival Atlanta Falcons last Sunday afternoon certainly impressed Fox Sports analyst Brian Billick, who moved them up two spots to no. 11 in his NFL Power Rankings as a result. Billick praises Tampa Bay's "resiliency and toughness," and singles out the performance of running back LeGarrette Blount, in his write-up.
Blount gained 81 yards on 24 carries for a pedestrian 3.4 average, and he did not score a touchdown, but there's no questioning that he worked hard. He tallied more than twice as many carries as any other player who took the field at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, and ran for 26 of the Bucs' 65 yards on the opening drive of the second half, resulting in a Connor Barth field goal which gave Tampa Bay a 16-3 edge. Notably, the Falcons had just 15 carries for 30 yards as a team the whole game long.
With a 2-1 record, Tampa Bay is now tied with the New Orleans Saints atop the NFC South.