2021 NFL Preview

Year two of NFL in a pandemic. Neat. The Chiefs have been to back to back Super Bowls. Cool. 

Oh yeah, and now we've got 18 weeks (17 games) and 7 playoff teams in each conference. Let's do this. 

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AFC West

The Chiefs set a franchise record for wins last year and addressed their biggest weakness (O-line) in the offseason. The only thing that can get in their way is a Super Bowl hangover. Meanwhile, the Broncos have already given up on starting Drew Lock and are going with Teddy Bridgewater. Herbert is legit so I like the Chargers to finish 2nd. I expect the Raiders to be about 8-9, Broncos maybe 6-11. 

AFC North

I was pretty spot on last year, but the Steelers and Browns were both better than I thought they'd be. I think the Bengals have a stranglehold on 4th place and will for a while. Ravens, Steelers and Browns should all be good around that 10-11 win area. I know Big Ben is old but the Steelers defense is good. Let's go Steelers 1st, Browns 2nd, and Ravens 3rd. But Baltimore still has a ton of potential to be a top AFC contender. 

AFC East

Bills and Pats will compete for the division with Miami lurking right behind with Tua. Jets finishing in 4th place is a lock. I would bet on the Pats coming back and winning the division once again. 

AFC South

The Colts are relying on Carson Wentz and he's already hurt. The Jags stink and the Texans are a mess. What a yikes division. Titans 1st, Colts 2nd, Jags 3rd, Texans 4th. (Without Watson, Texans are my pick to finish last.)

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NFC West

Seattle has been good for a while, should still be good. 

The Cardinals are on the rise with Murray. 

The Rams upgraded at QB with Stafford

And the 49ers are only a year removed from the Super Bowl, but they might be the weakest team in the division now?

This is the opposite of the AFC South. 

49ers 4th. 

Cardinals 3rd but good.

Seahawks 2nd but a playoff team.

Rams 1st. I have a feeling that Stafford is going to thrive now that he's out of Detroit and there's going to be a million jokes of "how could the Lions not win playoff games with this guy?"

NFC North

I nailed this division last year. I still think Packers come in 1st. Bears and Vikings should both be solid as well. Packers 1st, Vikings 2nd, Bears 3rd.

NFC East

This division was garbage last year. 

Washington is starting Fitzmagic. Philly has Hurts. Dallas has Dak. Giants have Daniel Jones who is 8-18 in his career so far. 

I like Dallas 1st, Philly 2nd. Washington 3rd and Giants 4th.

NFC South

Defending Champs Bucs. Saints with Winston. Panthers brought in Darnold. Falcons...who knows what to think there. Let's go Bucs 1st, Saints, Falcons, Panthers last.

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AFC Playoff Picks

1 Chiefs

2 Pats

3 Steelers

4 Titans

5 Bills

6 Browns

7 Chargers

NFC Playoff Picks

1 Rams

2 Bucs

3 Packers

4 Cowboys

5 Seahawks

6 Saints

7 Vikings

Super Bowl LVI

Chiefs over Packers