The NFL preseason is officially here, and with that it's time for power rankings for the upcoming 2021 season.
With little information to go off of -- beyond what we know from last season, offseason moves and training camp reports -- there's not going to be much of a surprise at the top. But see where the New Orleans Saints rank, where the rest of the NFC South lands (low) and more in the list below.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
USAT ImagesThe Buccaneers return all 22 starters after winning the Super Bowl last season. It's hard to argue the pewter pirates don't deserve to be on top of the rankings after last season. How much longer does Tom Brady plan to continue playing? Much longer, is my guess, if he continues to have success like he did last year. Now, the Bucs have to handle success and prove it was no fluke.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
USAT ImagesI think the Chiefs were better than the Bucs last year, the problem was they weren't the healthier team in the Super Bowl. The Chiefs rebuilt their offensive line and Patrick Mahomes is all smiles. He was running for his life in the Super Bowl loss to Tampa. Chiefs Kingdom, let not your heart be troubled. You have Superman at Quarterback. Buckle up for another long season and deep run into the postseason.
3. Buffalo Bills
© JAMIE GERMANO/ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE via Imagn Content Services, LLCAs I see it, Josh Allen and the Bills are the biggest threat to dethrone the Chiefs in the AFC. The Bills have a talented and deep roster. The only thing left is to prove they can beat the reigning AFC champions. I love Josh Allen and I'm already dreaming of a Mahomes vs Allen AFC title game.
4. L.A. Rams
© Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY SportsThe Rams are back in contention! This offseason Sean McVay upgraded from a Chevy Malibu to a Porsche at quarterback. The Rams traded Jared Goff (the Malibu) to the Lions for Mathew Stafford (the Porsche). There were some draft picks exchanged also, but never mind that. The Rams feel like they are a Quarterback away from winning this thing. Stafford should thrive in McVay's west coast, shift-happy, sling it all over offense. The Rams defense is among the best in the league. Look out for the Rams in the NFC.
5. Green Bay Packers
© Mike De Sisti / The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLCAfter the much ballyhooed public fight between the Packers and Aaron Rodgers is settled (for now), Green Bay eyes another shot at a Super Bowl. Rodgers' beef with the Packers is the front office didn't consult him on talent being let go or brought in by the organization. The Packers still haven't given Rodgers a ton of help offensively, and the defense isn't spectacular. To be frank, the only reason they are this high in my rankings is because Aaron Rodgers is one heck of a bad dude.
6. Baltimore Ravens
© Mark Konezny-USA TODAY SportsThe Ravens were once the big threat to the Chiefs in the AFC, but the Bills have leapfrogged Baltimore in the last two years. QB Lamar Jackson has caught COVID-19 twice during the pandemic and is yet to be vaccinated. Hey, that's his choice. I think the Ravens might take a tumble, and I'm thinking it could be a disappointing season for the Crab Cake city.
7. Cleveland Browns
© Jeff Lange via Imagn Content Services, LLCI know what you're thinking: Ok, for real? The Browns this high? Kristian are out of your mind? The answer: Maybe a little, but the Browns have one of the best rosters in the NFL. Cleveland will go as far as Baker Mayfield takes them. Go look up and down this roster and I challenge you to find one better. The Browns have as good of a team on paper as the Chiefs, but games aren't won on paper. We'll see how the Browns handle high expectations.
8. Seattle Seahawks
© Steven Bisig-USA TODAY SportsAfter barking a little displeasure this offseason QB Russel Wilson seems to have settled in and appears ready to lead the Hawks to another postseason. Safety Jamal Adams wants a new contract. If he doesn't get one, he could singlehandedly cause this team to unravel. If things stay cool in Seattle, the Seahawks won't be sleepless.
9. San Francisco 49ers
© Stan Szeto-USA TODAY SportsThe 49ers finished 6-10 last year, why do I have them this high? Simple: I don't expect everyone from Nick Bosa to the mascot to miss significant playing time on defense. San Francisco was considered a contender last year before injuries derailed their season. San Francisco drafted Trey Lance to eventually replace Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback. I don't get it, Jimmy G isn't the issue in San Fran. I'm curious to see how this unfolds out by the bay.
10. Tennessee Titans
© George Walker IV / Tennessean.com via Imagn Content Services, LLCThe Titans are a sneaky good team that might be the all-around toughest in the AFC. Not the best, but the toughest. The Titans have a defense that is built to keep teams in low-scoring games while the offense pounds away with Derrick Henry and the running game, eventually causing opponents to crumble as the game wears on. Will that approach prove fruitful again this season for Mike Vrabel and company? We'll see. The Titans have to replace offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who took over as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers
© Kareem Elgazzar via Imagn Content Services, LLCI'm going to put the Steelers high for now, but I don't think they finish in the top 15. Big Ben Roethlisberger is back and healthy this year. That's a plus, but I just think father time has caught up with him. If the Steelers do anything this year it will be because of their lights-out defense. Big Ben is now a game manager. Is that enough to contend?
12. L.A. Chargers
© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsThis is a team that might really surprise this season. Justin Herbert is the real deal. The reigning rookie of the year exceeded my expectations last year and he could be on the fast track to be the next young QB to push Patrick Mahomes. Herbert isn't ready this year, but could be soon. If the Chargers can get better on defense they will have a chance to finish the year in the top 10.
13. New Orleans Saints
Pool photo by Max Becherer/NOLA.comWhat a rough offseason for the Saints. The Michael Thomas saga continues. Three starters potentially face suspension. Patrick Robinson abruptly retires. Kicker Wil Lutz is on the shelf. No Drew Brees (retired). The one and only reason I have the Saints this high is the guy calling the shots. Sean Payton is smarter than everyone else, and if he can get the most -- and I mean very most -- out of this team, a playoff berth is possible. But things could unravel quickly if Payton can't find a way to push all the right buttons. Who Dat? Fans will say that a lot about all the new faces on this roster.
14. New England Patriots
© Bob Breidenbach/The Providence Journal via Imagn Content Services, LLCThe Patriots were humbled last year. After over two decades of dominance New England fell on their face with Cam Newton at QB. Newton is still there, but the Patriots drafted Alabama quarterback Mac Jones in the first round for a reason. Keep in mind the Pats had eight players opt out last season due to COVID-19. Most of them are back and that will make a difference. I think Mac Jones will start, he'll struggle at times but by the end of the season he'll have New England knocking on the postseason door.
15. Miami Dolphins
© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsCornerback Xavien Howard is a happy camper now that he has a new contract with a raise from the Dolphins. Miami feels like they can compete in the AFC. There is no doubt the defense is legit on South Beach. Will Tua Tagavailoa step up at quarterback? The problem Miami faces is the Bills are the class of the AFC east and it isn't close.
16. Arizona Cardinals
© Patrick Breen/The Republic via Imagn Content Services, LLCYep, I have the Cardinals this high. The reason? QB Kyler Murray is ready to make the leap from good to outstanding. So what does that mean? Not a lot, to be honest, the red birds play in the toughest division in football … the NFC west with the Rams, Seahawks and 49ers. All three of those teams have more talented rosters. I just like Kyler Murray. The Cards won't make the playoffs, but I expect them to hover on the fringe all season.
17. Indianapolis Colts
© Robert Scheer/IndyStar via Imagn Content Services, LLCI was jazzed about the Colts after they acquired QB Carson Wentz from the Eagles during the offseason. Wentz now might miss the opener and more with a foot injury. The Colts offensive line is good, not great, and their defense is pretty strong. If Wentz stays healthy and they protect him, the Colts have a chance to surprise this year.
18. Minnesota Vikings
© Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY SportsThe Vikings are quickly turning into the Vi-queens. Minnesota is a distant second behind Green Bay in the NFC north. Coach Mike Zimmer retooled his defense after calling it the worst he's ever coached last season. Zimmer is on the hot seat, and if they don't get off to a fast start pressure will mount for ownership to move on. The Vikings hitched their wagon to Kirk Cousins three years ago and well let's just say there is buyer's remorse.
19. Chicago Bears
© Jon Durr-USA TODAY SportsHow is Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace still in charge after taking Mitchell Trubisky over Patrick Mohomes in the 2017 draft? Mind-boggling to me. So Pace and Nagy had a do-over and selected Justin Fields out of Ohio State to be their triggerman this season. I am lukewarm at best on Fields as a quarterback. Who's protecting him up front? Who are his playmakers? DA BEARS, will slumber for an early winter this season.
20: Dallas Cowboys
© JUAN CARLO/THE STAR via Imagn Content Services, LLCYep! The Dallas Cowboys are this low and deserve to be. Show me a team with this much talent and this much disappointment. You can't find another. Dallas has the stars but can't produce much, why should I believe in them now? I can't. Owner Jerry Jones puts salt on a McRib. Just for that reason I can't trust the Boys.
21. Las Vegas Raiders
© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsThe Raiders look great on paper! Talented across the board on offense with RB Josh Jacobs, Derek Carr at QB, a receiving corps dotted with talent in Henry Ruggs, Hunter Renfrow, and John Brown, not to mention a flat-out stud in Darren Waller at tight end. Remember the old Wendy's commercial "Where is the beef?" Well, for the Raiders it's "Where is the defense?"
22. New York Giants
© Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com via Imagn Content Services, LLCThe Giants are a team to keep an eye on. They've got talent, but will QB Daniel Jones learn to fight another down? Has he corrected the ill-advised turnover woes that have plagued his game? Big Blue is big on talent, but are they ready for prime time? Not yet, but close.
23. Washington Football Team
© Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY SportsYa know what? They've had a year to come up with a real name. For that reason they start off very low in my rankings. Come on Washington, pick a name.
24. Denver Broncos
© Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY SportsThe Broncos have the defense to win it all, but the offense needs to upgrade at nearly every position.
25. Atlanta Falcons
© Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsThe Falcons have a long way to go! TE Kyle Pitts is a nice addition but the dirty birds need a lot more before we can take them seriously.
26: Carolina Panthers
© Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY SportsSeen any ghosts lately? The Panthers brought in former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold this offseason. Earlier in his career Darnold was caught in-game saying "I'm seeing ghosts." Quick, call Dr. Peter Venkman and the Ghostbusters. Sweeeeet Caroline! The kitty cats of Charlotte are 2 or 3 years away from being considered a threat to anyone.
27: Philadelphia Eagles
© Bill Streicher-USA TODAY SportsSorry just not a believer in Jalen Hurts at QB. Philly will be picking in the top five next April.
28: New York Jets
© Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY SportsThe Jets! AKA the Crop Dusters ... are the poster child of how not to run an organization. The Jets took BYU quarterback Zach Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick in the spring. Good Luck, Zach. You are going to need it.
29. Jacksonville Jaguars
© Bob Self via Imagn Content Services, LLCI like Trevor Lawrence at QB. That's all I can say.
30: Cincinnati Bengals
© Sam Greene via Imagn Content Services, LLCReports out of Bengals camp are Joe Burrow doesn't look fully recovered from his knee injury suffered last season. The former Heisman winner out of LSU is reportedly misfiring regularly and tossing head-scratching interceptions. Get right, Joe! You are still the coolest Cat in town.
31: Detroit Lions
© Kirthmon F. Dozier via Imagn Content Services, LLCThe Lions quarterback is Jarred Goff. Enough said.
32: Houston Texans
© Troy Taormina-USA TODAY SportsI can't and won't even attempt to find humor in the Texans' situation. What a sad franchise. Could you imagine having to sit through 17 games of what is assuredly going to be mess of a season? Texans fans deserve better.
