Hey everyone - beginner question

I'm trying to learn Buddy Holly by Weezer. While watching a tutorial it says the lead guitar is tuned down a half step from standard tuning. But rather than tuning the guitar down a half step can you just play each chord or note a half step lower? like for example rather than tuning the guitar down a half step so a power chord at the second fret is an F chord rather than F#, couldn't you just play an F power chord at the first fret in standard tuning?