This might be the start for Bucs

So maybe — maybe, maybe, maybe — this is how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ thrust into NFC contention begins.

Maybe it begins with some anticipatory mastery, with a cornerback intercepting a quarterback who never throws interceptions.

Or with an almost-full complement of offensive skill players available at last, their renewed health powering consistency, and efficiency. Or with the increased involvement of a tight end who unretired for days like Sunday, when he’s mincing defences and catching touchdowns and spiking footballs, leaving Gronk-sized divots in the grass.

The Green Bay Packers arrived in the Florida heat as one of the NFL’s four unbeaten teams, with an offence gaining yards and scoring points and throttling opponents at a maximum pace. They trudged off the field at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday night pummeled and discombobulated, unsettled by the outcome and the margin of defeat, yes, but also by how completely Tampa Bay exploited the Packers’ every deficiency.

The Buccaneers’ 38-10 victory doubled as validation of an admission they made in the offseason and the commitment they demonstrated to correct it. With their defence ascending, the front office recognized that the pathway to relevance — and indeed, the franchise’s first playoff berth since the 2007 season — entailed acquiring the stylistic antithesis of their incumbent quarterback, Jameis Winston, who had a pesky habit of throwing the ball to the other team.

On offence, with the Buccaneers running for nearly as many yards (158) as Brady passed for (166), they didn’t commit a turnover or allow a sack, and converted all four redzone opportunities.

On defence, they converted two take-aways — including Jamel Dean’s return for a touchdown — into 14 points. As a team, Tampa Bay wasn’t penalized even once. The blueprint evoked that of Brady’s former team — where did he play again? New England? — and recalibrated expectations.

“We kind of set a new standard for ourselves,” coach Bruce Arians said.