Week 1 NFL Power Rankings
Josh Frey
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The NFL is back, baby. After a long offseason, we have officially entered week one of the 2021 season, and you know what that means: power rankings! There are countless storylines going into this season, and many of them will be discussed throughout this article. Since no one is here to read a lengthy intro, let’s just get into this list. Surely everyone will agree with everything.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This Week: 9/9 vs DAL
As if being the defending Super Bowl champs and having Tom Brady on the roster wasn’t enough to justify this ranking, Tampa Bay is quite literally running it back by returning every single starter from last season. They also added some quality talent across the defensive line, including first round selection Joe Tryon. Tampa should be great again this year, and it’ll get started with a win on Thursday night.
2. Kansas City Chiefs
This Week: 9/12 vs CLE
The Chiefs had one glaring weakness last season, and that was their offensive line. They revamped it this year with the big acquisition of Orlando Brown Jr. and draft selection of Creed Humphrey. Patrick Mahomes will have plenty of time to throw this year, and Andy Reid is still one of the best offensive minds in the game. Kansas City gets a big test for their new o-line right away by playing Cleveland, but they should be up for it.
3. Buffalo Bills
This Week: 9/12 vs PIT
Per Pro-Football-Reference, the Buffalo Bills blitzed at one of the highest rates in the entire NFL last year, but they had one of the lowest pressure rates in the league. The pass rush was not very effective for much of the year, but they made moves to fix it by taking both Gregory Rousseau and Boogie Basham. Josh Allen should be a favorite to win MVP as well. Even in another year that should bring some covid chaos with it, Sean McDermott’s team will be ready to go and should be a contender for the top seed in the AFC.
4. Cleveland Browns
This Week: 9/12 @ KC
This would seem like a joke as recently as last fall, but Cleveland is going to be a legit Super Bowl contender in 2021. The Browns were big winners of the 2021 draft as they selected immediate secondary contributors in LB/S Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and CB Greg Newsome II. They also have what should be a fearsome pass-rushing duo in Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney. They also check all the boxes on offense: above average o-line, two-headed running back duo, solid quarterback, and star receivers. The Browns are on the precipice of greatness in 2021. Of course, now that I said that, they’ll probably go 6-11.
5. Green Bay Packers
This Week: 9/12 @ NO
The Packers had an offseason that belongs in its own reality TV show, but they have Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams for at least one more year. That can’t really be overstated, but the rest of the team is decent too. Aaron Jones got paid, first-round pick Eric Stokes should help the secondary, and the pass rush will keep pressure on opposing quarterbacks. All that said, they may be falling down the rankings early on due to their offensive line questions revolving around LT David Bakhtiari’s injury status.
6. Baltimore Ravens
This Week: 9/13 @ LV
The Ravens are getting bit by the injury bug early this year. J.K. Dobbins is out for the season with a torn ACL, and rookie receiver Rashod Bateman is starting the year on IR. Of course, Baltimore still has Gus Edwards in the backfield which should help, but receiver depth is still a pretty big question. The cheat code that is Lamar Jackson covers up a lot of fallacies, though. The Ravens may be another team that starts slow, but they should be rolling by the end of the month.
7. Los Angeles Rams
This Week: 9/12 vs CHI
The Rams lost their defensive coordinator, Brandon Staley, to the Chargers this offseason. It’s a pretty significant loss considering LA led the NFL in points allowed, yards allowed, and yards per play allowed in 2020. Their trade for Matthew Stafford could be massive for the offense, though. It is a major QB upgrade over Jared Goff, and Sean McVay will have a great scheme to put on the field as usual. It also helps when you have a defensive anchor as impactful as Aaron Donald every week.
8. Seattle Seahawks
This Week: 9/12 @ IND
Seattle’s defense was sneaky good down the stretch of 2020, and they should continue that into 2021. Despite a weird stretch where it was unclear whether Russell Wilson wanted to be traded or not, it seems he is ready to go this season for the Hawks. If they can get the usual production out of Chris Carson, DK Metcalf, and Tyler Lockett, this team should compete for the NFC West title. It is worth noting, though, that four of their first six games come on the road against teams that should be playoff contenders.
9. Pittsburgh Steelers
This Week: 9/12 @ BUF
Say what you want about 39-year-old Ben Roethlisberger, but the Steelers have set themselves up to win if he just plays average football. The biggest issue with the offense was that they were extremely one dimensional. In 2020, Pittsburgh had the lowest rushing total of any team and averaged the fewest yards per carry. They addressed this problem in the draft by selecting RB Najee Harris in the first round. A sneaky player that could also make a big impact on this team in rookie TE Pat Freiermuth. Tight ends have historically thrived in Pittsburgh’s offense, and the former Penn State star could be just the latest to carry on this trend.
10. San Francisco 49ers
This Week: 9/12 @ DET
Football Outsiders has put the San Francisco 49ers as the most injured team of 2020. This tracks as all of Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Nick Bosa, and others missed significant time. Hopefully, lightning doesn’t strike twice for a team that, despite all these injuries, still finished 6-10 and was only out scored by their opponents by 14 points over the course of the season. The QB position is a bit controversial with Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance, but I’m not sure it really matters. Lance has looked good in his snaps, and the last time Garoppolo was healthy, San Francisco made the Super Bowl. Granted, the defense probably isn’t as good as that 2019 team, but this is a competitive football team nonetheless.
11. New England Patriots
This Week: 9/12 vs MIA
The Patriots got off to a decent start in 2020, but then a string of positive covid tests derailed their year. QB Cam Newton certainly wasn’t as good after coming back from protocols, and there just wasn’t enough talent around him to make up for it. This year, Bill Belichick has decided to go all-in on first-rounder Mac Jones, and New England went on an uncharacteristic spending spree this summer. Jones will have plenty of talented targets to throw to this year, and Damien Harris should be one of the better RBs in the league. The defense has some questions about Stephon Gilmore’s status, but it should be enough to keep them in games. New England might be back.
12. Miami Dolphins
This Week: 9/12 @ NE
After a 10-6 run in 2020 that should be considered successful, it’s officially Tua Time in Miami. The QB is entering his second year following a rookie campaign that can only be described as underwhelming. Of course, it must be taken into account that he was competing with career-delaying journeyman, Ryan Fitzpatrick. Now, he has full reigns over the offense, a new, but also familiar, weapon to throw to in Jaylen Waddle, and a top-10 defense returns most of its major contributors. The Dolphins may again be on the outside looking in, but they should be competitive once again.
13. Minnesota Vikings
This Week: 9/12 @ CIN
The Vikings defense needed a serious revamp after last season, and it definitely got that. As porous as the pass defense was, the biggest improvement should be seen against the run. Dalvin Tomlinson and Michael Pierce will make a massive impact up the middle, and Anthony Barr’s return at linebacker will be massive on the outside. The offense lost Irv Smith Jr., but they maintain most of the pieces that made them the ninth best scoring offense. They should be top-10 again, but now they should have an above average defense to boot.
14. Los Angeles Chargers
This Week: 9/12 @ WSH
Second-year QB Justin Herbert is learning a brand new offense in LA, but if he can thrive in it, this Chargers team has a chance to be a sneaky playoff contender. Herbert’s weapons are the usual suspects in Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams, and Keenan Allen, but this year the Chargers have a good offensive line with additions of Corey Linsley and Rashawn Slater. Questions still abound for one of 2020’s bottom-10 scoring defenses, but the Chargers are on the rise.
15. New Orleans Saints
This Week: 9/12 vs GB
The Drew Brees era has come to an end in New Orleans, Michael Thomas is out for the foreseeable future, and the Saints aren’t even able to play their first home game in their home stadium due to Hurricane Ida. The fate of this season largely rests on the shoulders of Jameis Winston who, last we saw him start, was putting the finishing touches on the NFL’s first 30 TD/30 INT season. The good news is he got to sit behind Brees last year, and he should be much more capable of throwing the ball downfield than the 41-year-old with a torn rotator cuff. A big first win against Green Bay would be a great tone-setter.
16. Washington Football Team
This Week: 9/12 vs LAC
The Football Team is back and better than ever. Washington’s defense is going to be scary once again, and this time, the offense has a chance to carry their own weight with Ryan Fitzpatrick at QB. Antonio Gibson has a chance to be a top RB this year, and the offensive line should be good. Ron Rivera’s squad should defense their NFC East title if they can stay healthy.
17. Dallas Cowboys
This Week: 9/9 @ TB
Dallas’ defense was an absolute mess in 2020, and it would be hard to be that bad again in 2021. First-round pick, Micah Parsons, should do a lot to help improve that group along with some better injury luck. The biggest thing for this team is Dak Prescott, though. He should be set to return from a scary ankle injury, and if he can remain healthy, this should be a much better Cowboys team.
18. Denver Broncos
This Week: 9/12 @ NYG
The QB competition in Denver has led to Teddy Bridgewater starting week one at New York. This is not nearly the Aaron Rodgers that Denver was looking forward to, and he may not even be at the level of some of the rookie QBs this year, but Bridgewater brings with him clean game management. Javonte Williams should be a great addition to the running game, and the defense will be solid as usual. In a competitive AFC West, Denver may fall in the bottom half, but they certainly aren’t bad.
19. Tennessee Titans
This Week: 9/12 vs ARI
This Tennessee Titans team gives me a lot of 2020 Minnesota Vikings vibes. Solid quarterback, top-tier running back, a duo of stud receivers…and an atrocious defense. There are a ton of questions on that side of the ball right now, and not only that, but the Arthur Smith offense that turned Ryan Tannehill’s career is no longer in place. Maybe Derrick Henry can right all wrongs, but it could be a disappointing year in Tennessee.
20. Indianapolis Colts
This Week: 9/12 vs SEA
The Colts are another team that have already been hit with the injury bug. Carson Wentz has gone through his fair share of struggles, Eric Fisher is out for the time being, and T.Y. Hilton had neck surgery last week. The defense should be decent, but for now, this offense does not inspire a ton of confidence.
21. Las Vegas Raiders
This Week: 9/12 vs BAL
The Raiders, well, Raider’d once again this offseason. Their draft selection of Alex Leatherwood in the first round was a very questionable choice, but we’ll see how it pans out. Vegas should have a decent squad this year led by Derek Carr, but whether they can find enough wins in the AFC West remains to be seen. Whether or not the defense can improve off their 28th ranked DVOA in 2020 will be a huge factor.
22. Chicago Bears
This Week: 9/12 @ LAR
Everyone assumes the Bears are on the up and up after they finally got their franchise QB in Justin Fields. However, the celebration in Chicago may need to be on hold for the time being. The offensive line could be a disaster this season, and their defense has a ton of holes in the secondary. Given how difficult their schedule is, the Bears are probably a year or two away.
23. Arizona Cardinals
This Week: 9/12 @ TEN
We have officially entered the “need to see it to believe it” zone with the Kliff Kingsbury offense. Arizona has some very intriguing pieces, but the Cardinals head coach has not been able to put all the pieces together on a consistent basis. Their defense should be improved with some veteran pass rushers, but unless the Cardinals can do a better job of scoring points, the ceiling is limited.
24. Carolina Panthers
This Week: 9/12 vs NYJ
Carolina made one of the bigger bets of the offseason by trading for QB Sam Darnold instead of taking one in the draft or running it back with Bridgewater. This is another team that has some talented, and with the return of Christian McCaffrey the offense should be pretty good. Darnold probably won’t turn heads in the fashion of other top NFL QBs, but he should be able to keep the chains moving. If Jaycee Horn is as good as Carolina is hoping he will be, the defense might not be half-bad, either. The Panthers could hang in some games this year, but they’re likely not contenders.
25. Philadelphia Eagles
This Week: 9/12 @ ATL
Turns out the Carson Wentz/Jalen Hurts experiment went about as badly as everyone thought it would last year. As much as I’m rooting for Minshew Mania to take over in Philly, it appears that Hurts will remain the starter for the Eagles. This is very much a rebuilding year in Philadelphia.
26. Atlanta Falcons
This Week: 9/12 vs PHI
The Falcons got possibly the most talented player of the draft in TE Kyle Pitts. He should get a lot of production in Atlanta; Matt Ryan will be throwing to him a ton while they spend most of their games playing catch up. Arthur Smith is the new head coach though, so maybe he can whip up a creative offense to keep them in games. As far as the defense goes, it’s going to be ugly.
27. Cincinnati Bengals
This Week: 9/12 vs MIN
After suffering a torn ACL last season, Joe Burrow returns with…an equally questionable offensive line. The Bengals snagged Riley Reiff in free agency, but they opted for WR Ja’Marr Chase in lue of a top offensive lineman in the draft. It will probably take Burrow some time to get back to form, and 2020’s 27th ranked defense doesn’t look like they’ll be carrying this team to many wins. Cincy will probably get out of the gates slow.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars
This Week: 9/12 @ HOU
Against all odds, the Jacksonville Jaguars managed to out-lose the New York Jets last year and snatched Trevor Lawrence at No. 1 overall. This is great for the team’s future, but for now, don’t expect Jacksonville to be winning too many games. Lawrence will have his rookie mistakes, and they will only be exponentiated by the probably offensive line struggles.
29. New York Jets
This Week: 9/12 @ CAR
The story is similar in New York as it is in Jacksonville. They have a promising rookie QB, and they may even have a clearer path to contention at this point, but winning probably isn’t going to be happening too much this year. Zach Wilson was very impressive this preseason though, so maybe he can keep the Jets in a couple extra games.
30. New York Giants
This Week: 9/12 vs DEN
Saquon Barkley may be ready to play in the season opener against Denver, but right now that is currently overshadowed by the shockingly limited depth at wide receiver. Both Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney have had their fair share of injuries, and it’s possible that neither are big contributors early on. For now, Sterling Shephard is the healthy one in the WR room, but his receipt of past injuries is long enough that he’s always a concern in that regard.
31. Detroit Lions
This Week: 9/12 vs SF
Dan Campbell said the Lions would be biting knee caps this year, and they may be set to go in the trenches, but other than that, things look bleak. Their offensive line should have no problem keeping their QB upright for once, but the problem is that QB is now Jared Goff. It’s also concerning that the only returning wide receiver for this team is Quintez Cepheus, who caught 20 passes in his rookie year. The rebuild looks to be on in Detroit.
32. Houston Texans
This Week: 9/12 vs JAX
Outside of the disastrous situation regarding Deshaun Watson, this Texans roster leaves very little to be excited about. It’s a hodgepodge of aging players that are likely past their primes. Tyrol Taylor is getting his shot at starting QB once again, so that’s great for him, but we’re not fooled, Houston is tanking to find their next QB.