2021 NFL Predictions

 At long last, the NFL will soon be upon us!  After a season’s worth of uncertainty last year, this season should feel more like normal, with fans returning to stadiums.  Furthermore, a 17th game has been added to the schedule.  Last season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by Tom Brady, shredded Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, becoming the first team to play and win a Super Bowl on home soil.  Although there is much hype over a Chiefs-Bucs rematch in Super Bowl LVI, there are many other strong contenders, especially in the AFC.

National Football Conference

EAST:

1. Dallas Cowboys (10-7)

Overrated as usual, but still the best team in this putrid division.

2. Washington Football Team (7-10)

Last year, the Team with No Name won a surprising division title at 7-9.  Their defense may still be good again, but don’t expect another playoff berth.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (6-11)

Jalen Hurts gives this team some hope.

4. New York Giants (4-13)

Too many question marks on offense.

NORTH:

1. Green Bay Packers (12-5)

They somehow convinced Aaron Rodgers to come back, but will he be motivated to play?

2. Chicago Bears (9-8)

Justin Fields could be the QB the Bears have waited generations for.

3. Minnesota Vikings (8-9)

Too many question marks on defense.

4. Detroit Lions (5-12)

In seemingly perpetual rebuilding mode

SOUTH:

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (15-2)

With Brady and a young, fierce defense that stifled Mahomes in the Super Bowl, it will not be easy to dethrone the Bucs.

2. New Orleans Saints (8-9)

Losing Drew Brees will hurt, as will starting the season away from the Superdome.

3. Carolina Panthers (6-11)

Are at least hoping Christian McCaffrey’s return will provide some excitement

4. Atlanta Falcons (3-14)

Have not gotten over 28-3, and Julio Jones is gone.

WEST:

1. San Francisco 49ers (13-4)

Trey Lance steps in and leads one of the NFL’s most complete rosters to another division title, with a Super Bowl return a possibility.

2. Los Angeles Rams (11-6) *

Stout defense anchored by Aaron Donald is complemented by arrival of Matthew Stafford.

3. Arizona Cardinals (11-6) *

Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins make the Cards worth watching.

4. Seattle Seahawks (10-7) *

Russell can still cook.

Playoff Seeding:

1. Buccaneers

2. 49ers

3. Packers

4. Cowboys

5. Rams

6. Cardinals

7. Seahawks

Playoffs:

Wild Card:

49ers over Seahawks

Cardinals over Packers

Rams over Cowboys

Divisional:

49ers over Rams

Bucs over Cardinals

NFC Championship:

Bucs over 49ers

American Football Conference:

EAST:

1. Buffalo Bills (14-3)

Josh Allen came of age last year and made the Bills Super Bowl contenders.  How will they confront their high expectations?

2. New England Patriots (11-6) *

After adjusting to life after Brady last year, the Patriots return to the playoffs with Mac Jones.

3. Miami Dolphins (10-7)

Nearly made the playoffs last year, but I’m not quite sold on them.

4. New York Jets (5-12)

At least Adam Gase is gone.

NORTH:

1. Cleveland Browns (13-4)

The Browns have something unfamiliar to them: high expectations.  Is this the year Baker Mayfield and Co. bring a long-awaited Super Bowl to Cleveland?

2. Baltimore Ravens (12-5) *

Losing J.K. Dobbins will hurt, but with Lamar and a solid defense, don’t count out the Ravens.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8)

Crashed and burned after an 11-0 start last year.  This team will have a hard time fending off the Ravens and Browns.

4. Cincinnati Bengals (5-12)

Pray for Joe Burrow.

SOUTH:

1. Tennessee Titans (13-4)

With Ryan Tannehill, Julio Jones, and of course Derrick Henry, the Titans are the Super Bowl contender nobody is really talking about.

2. Indianapolis Colts (10-7)

Could be a dangerous playoff team if Wentz gets healthy.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-11)

Can Trevor Lawrence live up to the hype?

4. Houston Texans (0-17)

Have done literally NOTHING right since 24-0 in Kansas City. Hitting rock bottom is all that can save this godforsaken franchise.  That means LOSING EVERY SINGLE GAME.  2008 Lions and 2017 Browns are off the hook.

WEST:

1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-2)

We know Mahomes is the man, and a retooled offensive line will serve him well.  Can anyone derail the Chiefs’ drive to a third straight Super Bowl?

2. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) *

Justin Herbert and an improved defense get the Bolts into the playoffs.

3. Denver Broncos (8-9)

Should have gotten Aaron Rodgers.

4. Las Vegas Raiders (6-11)

At least fans in Vegas can go to games this season.

Playoff Seeding:

1. Chiefs

2. Bills

3. Browns

4. Titans

5. Ravens

6. Patriots

7. Chargers

Playoffs:

Wild Card:

Bills over Chargers

Browns over Patriots

Ravens over Titans

Divisional:

Chiefs over Ravens

Bills over Browns

AFC Championship:

Bills over Chiefs

Super Bowl LVI:

Bills over Bucs

Allen bests Brady in a shootout and the people of Buffalo smash tables deep into the night.