NFL POWER RANKINGS: WEEK 1

BY ADAM GREENE

With the NFL’s Kickoff Game upon us, the 2021-22 season is officially underway and that means it’s time for our first of 18 or so arbitrary Power Rankings. I have ranked the league’s 32 franchises based only on what I’ve observed, feel and maybe what I ate that day. I had a pretty nice Pal’s chicken sandwich for lunch, so that bodes well.

There’s been some changes since we did our Preseason Power Rankings as I take into account my camp and exhibition game observances and factor those into the rankings. Who knew that having an actual preseason mattered so much?

1. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

I usually open here with Ric Flair’s famous phrase, “to be the man, you’ve got to beat the man,” but this year it has more gravitas than usual. The Bucs bring back all 22 starters from their Super Bowl champion team and most of their key reserves. And, as I’ve mentioned before, I’m done trying to predict when Tom Brady goes over the QB cliff. I have retired from predicting his retirement. Preseason: No. 1

2. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Kansas City had one weakness, exposed thoroughly by the Bucs in a 31-9 Super Bowl LV trouncing and fixed it, building a better offensive line through trades, free agency and the draft. Patrick Mahomes is the closest thing the NFL has seen to a Michael Jordan and as long as he’s healthy and on the field, Kansas City is a danger to win it all. Preseason: No. 2

3. BUFFALO BILLS

The Bills have become a trendy pick to usurp the Chiefs for good reason. They rolled the dice and went ahead with Josh Allen’s new contract, paying him the money he deserves if he continues to play at last year’s level. I speak for everyone (unless you hate the Bills) when I say I hope they win that bet. The NFL needs 2020 Josh Allen to be 2021 on Josh Allen. Preseason: No. 3

4. GREEN BAY PACKERS

Green Bay makes a monster move after solving their Aaron Rodgers issue for at least a season. He’s put together a Last Dance with Devonte Adams and forced to team to trade for his former slot receiver Randall Cobb. The Pack had the worst receiving corps in the postseason a year ago. Rodgers wouldn’t let it happen again. Preseason: No. 12

5. LOS ANGELES RAMS

Los Angeles did nothing to stumble in the preseason, keeping starters healthy and prepping for their first “All or Nothing” run with Matthew Stafford at quarterback. It’ll help that they bring back the key players (Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, Darious Williams) on the No. 1 defense in the NFL for 2020, if not the guy that coordinated it. Sony Michel will likely take over as lead back before season’s end. Preseason: No. 4

6. TENNESSEE TITANS

With all the talk about the Bills attempting to take the No.1 spot in the AFC from the Chiefs, they could be in danger of losing the No. 2 position to a loaded Titans offense that just needs their defense to show up. That didn’t happen much last season. Preseason: No. 6

7. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Russell Wilson opened the offseason complaining about his offensive line and the team responded by doing next to nothing. At least they did re-sign the best linemen he already had, Duane Brown. Preseason: No. 5

8. PITTSBURGH STEELERS

For some reason, a team that has consistently made the playoffs for most of the last two decades with this same quarterback is being left off a lot of playoff predictions. Preseason: No. 8

9. CLEVELAND BROWNS

The team people feel with usurp the Steelers’ regular position in the postseason is the Browns. I do like Cleveland, but I’ll believe it when I see it. I like Baker Mayfield and I like this roster. I think they’ll make the postseason again, but I’m not jumping on a Super Bowl bandwagon just yet. Preseason: No. 9

10. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Last year the Niners were completely derailed by injuries. This year, they’ll probably spend plenty of time near the top of this list. Jimmy Garoppolo will get the start to open the year, but don’t be shocked to see him traded before the deadline, even if the team is winning. Preseason: No. 7

11. BALTMIORE RAVENS

Take what everyone else feels about the Steelers and put that on the Ravens for me. I think this team will be watching the playoffs on their barcaloungers with the rest of us. The NFL hasn’t “solved” Lamar Jackson. They’ve “solved” offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Preseason: No. 10

12. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

I was tempted to move the Chargers higher, but had to resist the urge of crowing a team that hasn’t posted a winning record in two seasons. Preseason: No. 11

13. MIAMI DOLPHINS

Miami can do a lot to prove it’s ready to make the playoff jump by knocking off the suddenly trendy Patriots Sunday. Preseason: No. 15

14. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Taysom Hill is the most boring gimmick in all of the NFL, but luckily for the Saints that’s all he’ll be as Jameis Winston takes over as starting quarterback. Preseason: No. 20

15. DENVER BRONCOS

The Broncos were knocked out of contention last year before the season started with star player injuries. They’ll be healthy this year and have a QB in Teddy Bridgewater who won’t turn the ball over. Preseason: No. 23

16. ATLANTA FALCONS

Matt Ryan will have his best offensive playcaller in Arthur Smith since Kyle Shanahan got him to a Super Bowl in 2016. Preseason: No. 26

17. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Mac Jones got vaccinated. Cam Newton didn’t. Mac Jones has a job. Cam Newton doesn’t. Preseason: No. 28

18. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Speaking of vaccinations, Carson Wentz, who could be injured by a toddler at this point, isn’t vaccinated. That alone could cost the Colts a playoff spot. Preseason: No. 13

19. WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM

I think the WFT is the best team in the NFC East which by this math makes them the 19^th best team in the league. That is rough. Preseason: No. 17

20. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

We’re in year four of Jon Gruden’s second stint for the Raiders and he’s yet to bust past .500. It doesn’t look great this year either, especially since there’s no more .500 record possible with 17 games. Preseason: No. 21

21. ARIZONA CARDINALS

The Cardinals are much better on paper, but unfortunately the NFL is not a game of Dungeons & Dragons. Preseason: No. 14

22. DALLAS COWBOYS

The Mike McCarthy farewell tour, heralded by his appearance on HBO’s Hard Knocks, officially begins Thursday night. Preseason: No. 16

23. CHICAGO BEARS

The only people excited to see Andy Dalton play quarterback for the Bears Sunday are the Rams defense. Preseason: No. 18

24. MINNESOTA VIKINGS

What’s the over-under on consecutive games Kirk Cousins plays before ending up in the NFL’s COVID-19 protocol? I’m saying three. Preseason: No. 19

25. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

I can’t figure out this Eagles team. Will they be awful? Terrible? Horrendous? Abysmal? It’s a mystery. Preseason: No. 27

26. CINCINNATI BENGALS

I’m excited to see what Joe Burrow will do with an offense full of weapons and an offensive line that will (hopefully) keep him upright. Preseason: No. 22

27. CAROLINA PANTHERS

There’s a good chance that the Panthers are the third worst team in the NFL. This ranking is hopeful at best. Preseason: No. 29

28. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Trevor Lawrence was the right pick, but it’ll take a couple of years to get this team back on track as being the Triple-A team for the Los Angeles Rams it was meant to be. Preseason: No. 30

29. NEW YORK JETS

I wasn’t nuts about Zach Wilson leading up to the draft, but I liked what I saw in the preseason. There’s a real chance all the first round QB picks will be good, which is unheard of in all of NFL history. Preseason: No. 31

30. NEW YORK GIANTS

I hate to see Daniel Jones fizzle out in New York and spend the rest of his career as Blaine Gabbert, but it’s looking very Blaine Gabberty in the Big Apple. Preseason: No. 25

31. DETROIT LIONS

All the news out of Lions camp, as well as the broadcast preseason performances of quarterback Jared Goff can best be described as a TikTok video of a fat guy climbing a stack of milk crates. Preseason: No. 24

32. HOUSTON TEXANS

No team had a worse offseason than the Texans and no team will have a worse regular season than the Texans. This could be the NFL’s first 0-17 team and they will have absolutely earned it the hard way. Preseason: No. 32

The NFL season is officially upon us. Place your bets on the Week One schedule at BetOnline.AG.

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