NFL
By: Ryan Cooley
We are about a month away from the kickoff of the first preseason game. After a crazy 2020 season, hopefully, 2021 will be a much more normal season. Stadiums are expected to be at full capacity, and vaccinated players will have no restrictions.
Here are my power rankings for the top 10 teams in the league.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The reigning Super Bowl champions sit atop the 2021 power rankings. Tampa has the most complete team in the league. In the last eight games of 2020, the Bucs averaged almost 34 points per game while only allowing their opponents to score 19 points per game.
After having a full offseason without COVID restrictions, I expect the Buccaneers to come out firing and make a strong push to run it back.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
It would be hard to put the Chiefs any lower as long as they have Mahomes, Hill, Kelce, and Andy Reid. I expect another high-flying offense in 2021. Until someone in the AFC takes Kansas City down, they will sit comfortably at two.
3. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are legitimate Super Bowl contenders after adding Matt Stafford. Stafford has been a great quarterback plagued by Detriot’s inability to put the necessary pieces around him. With his new team, I expect Stafford to have the best year of his career. The Rams have a great roster and are the biggest threat to the Bucs in the NFC.
4. Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen had arguably one of the greatest turnarounds in NFL history. After struggling mightily his first two seasons, Allen burst onto the scene in 2020. In 2018 and 2019, Allen only managed grades of 65.3 and 64.1 from Pro Football Focus. However, in 2020, his grade skyrocketed to 90.1. I expect Allen and the Bills to take another step up in 2021 and compete with the Chiefs and Browns as the best team in the AFC.
5. Cleveland Browns
The Browns have one of the best rosters in the league. Much like the Bucs, Cleveland has almost no holes. They came close to knocking off the AFC champs in the divisional round, losing by only 5 points. They made smart signings this offseason while having a great draft.
6. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are an interesting team. Did they hit their ceiling in 2019? Can they win a Super Bowl with Lamar’s skill set? These are legitimate questions that will be answered in the upcoming season. With the addition of Sammy Watkins and Rashod Bateman, Lamar finally an actual receiving core. There are no more excuses for Baltimore this year.
7. Tennesee Titans
The Titans’ offense is going to be fun to watch. Tannehill, Henry, Brown, and Julio have the potential to be a top-five offense. However, the biggest question for Tennessee is its defense. Opposing teams scored an average of 27 points per game last season. While they’ve made some improvements, I am not sure it is enough.
8. Green Bay Packers
If Rodgers comes back, Green Bay goes back to being Super Bowl contenders. However, if he doesn’t, the Packers are not in the top 10. I am not sure Jordan Love is ready to be an NFL starter. Even with the return of Rodgers, Green Bay did not do enough this offseason for them to being any higher than eight.
9. San Francisco 49ers
If not for injuries, the 49ers would have been a contender in the NFC. With everyone coming back healthy and Jimmy G having a lot to prove, I expect San Francisco to bounce back in 2021. If Garopollo can return to his 2019 form, the 49ers are a team to watch out for.
10. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have surrounded Tua with a plethora of weapons. After signing Will Fuller, they reunited Jaylen Waddle and Tagovailloa. There is no reason for Tua not to take a big step up in his sophomore year. Between their defense and offensive firepower, expect the Dolphins to make a splash in 2021.
