The NFL preseason was shortened to three games for each team this year, and as much of a positive the move was for players and the league, it does create some uncertainty into weighing past Week 1 trends based off preseason results.
It is going to be a big stretch for some given the different motivations and roster constructions every NFL team has for each preseason game, but at least in terms of Week 1 results the past seven years, the old saying “winning begets winning” does have some value, as does the opposite part of that equation.
Every preseason in the past we’ve always ended up with about a handful of NFL teams that either make their way through August winless, or undefeated. Again, different motivations play into those results for teams based on who even suited up for them, but starters sitting every game happens every year and therefore is already incorporated into these past results as well.
Super Bowl LV saw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers crowned as champions of the league on Sunday, Feb. 7, with Tom Brady claiming the seventh Lombardi of his illustrious career. The game thus closed the books on a 2020 season that many doubted would even kick off, let alone reach a final conclusion.
Now, with the confetti having settled, everyone’s eyes turn toward the 2021 offseason and just how NFL Free Agency and the NFL Draft will play out.
We are going to take a short preview for each division and will guide you through all 32 teams.
AFC East
- Buffalo Bills
- New England Patriots
- Miami Dolphins
- New York Jets
Bills offense is guided by Josh Allen who is a main offensive weapon of the Bills. They expect a lot of him now as he became the second most highest paid player in football. Bills are defending the AFC EAST crown first since 1996. However Patriots and Dolphins will be a serious threat to Bills as Dolphins strengthened the team with some new fresh blood, and Patriots are always a contender. This is a very exiting battle and will be a thought one to retain.
AFC South
- Tennessee Titans
- Indianapolis Colts
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Houston Texans
Bookmakers indicate there are only two contenders for the AFC South title. It would be tough to argue that, especially with the lowly Texans present. Houston has the lowest projected win total in the league at four, a mark not far from the Jaguars’. Even with top pick Trevor Lawrence running the show, Jacksonville’s total is 6.5 victories. Tennessee boasts a quality quarterback in Ryan Tannehill and a strong supporting cast led by bruising running back Derrick Henry. The Titans revamped a defense that held them back by ranking 28th overall and 24th in points allowed last year. Free-agency additions Bud Dupree, Denico Autry and Jackrabbit Jenkins should make Tennessee much more competitive on that side of the football.
AFC North
- Cleveland Browns
- Baltimore Ravens
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Cincinnati Bengals
Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield are two of the more interesting players in this division and in the league entering the 2021 season. Jackson has reached a higher peak, with a 90.1 PFF grade and MVP trophy in 2019, but both have seen their level of play fluctuate early in their NFL careers. And both are looking for massive contract extensions heading into the fourth year of their rookie deals. The Cleveland Browns have put Mayfield in a position to succeed with the league’s top offensive line, top running back room and Kevin Stefanski calling the shots. The Baltimore Ravens, meanwhile, made a concerted effort to improve Jackson’s supporting cast with the additions of Rashod Bateman, Sammy Watkins and Tylan Wallace at wide receiver this offseason. Then there’s the Pittsburgh Steelers — the reigning AFC North champions and now an afterthought in the division given the way they finished last season. The offensive line has undergone wholesale changes. However, Pittsburgh does still have a strong case for the league’s best pass rush, and there is talent at the skill positions on offense for first-year offensive coordinator Matt Canada to work with. We shouldn’t be shocked if the team that has never had a losing record under Mike Tomlin manages to have success again in 2021. Nor is it out of the realm of possibility for the Cincinnati Bengals to make a playoff push. This is supposed to be the year Cincinnati trends in that direction with a young offensive core and a defense that has been rebuilt in free agency the past few offseasons.
AFC West
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Denver Broncos
- Las Vegas Raiders
This is a division in which according to many the outcome is already known. Chiefs are a big favourites to continue their success in the past years and are probably the team to beat and on the shortlist to get to SuperBowl or to be the winners. Chargers are another interesting team from this division and its highly expected to compete for the playoffs through a Wild Card competition. Las Vegas finally are to get to play in front of their fans after since they arrived at Vegas, they faced an empty stadium during the pandemic. However they are not expected to go big after there seems to be no clear direction with the offense, a mishmash of possible big-play passing with Derek Carr and maybe run-heaviness with Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake.
NFC East
- Dallas Cowboys
- Washington Football Team
- New York Giants
- Philadelphia Eagles
Cowboys are looking as a serious division contender but the quality between all 4 teams pretty much identical especially with Washington Football team, as the bookmakers predict close battle between this two teams will be a close one with a slight advantage given to the Cowboys. Giants and Eagles both are expected a negative season with more than 10 loses during it. However none of this 4 teams is expected to make any remarkable season or to play many games in the post season playoffs.
NFC North
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Chicago Bears
- Detroit Lions
Another division with a shortlisted Super Bowl chaser as Green Bay Packers almost for sure is to retain the NFC North division another year now. The Packers know they will have Aaron Rodgers to Davante Adams headlining their offense for at least one more season, with Aaron Jones and the running game serving as the true foundation. However to reach Super Bowl they will need a much much better defense then the last years one, if they want to make a good post season.
NFC South
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- New Orleans Saints
- Carolina Panthers
- Atlanta Falcons
When you have the GOAT – Tom Brady you are always a favourite to win it. Yes Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the team that looking back in the past season will be the major leader in this division and a certainly Super Bowl team. They deserve to go from wild-card entry to dominant division champions with a good chance to defend their ring. The NFC South is projected to have a new champion after four straight years of the Saints topping the division. The Buccaneers are the heavy favorites to capture their first crown since 2007, a testament to how well they have played since their bye last season. Tampa Bay didn’t lose a game after that Week 13 break, ripping off eight consecutive victories and bringing the organization its second Super Bowl title. Saints are certainly going to be a play offs contender and Falcons and Panthers lack the experience to contend. These teams are relying on a new head coach and a new starting quarterback and need more time to figure things out.
NFC West
- San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-6)
- Seattle Seahawks (10-7)
- Arizona Cardinals (10-7)
The last division we are previewing is perhaps one of the most interesting and worth to take a closer look. . Last year, the Seattle Seahawks took the NFC West divisional title home, but the LA Rams beat them in the playoffs and advanced further. The Seahawks and Rams still have playoffs caliber teams, but the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals have a lot to say in 2021. Picking the winner is not an easy task, but it’s hard to walk away from the Rams +200, especially with such a good roster and an improvement in the QB position
Bonus
Super Bowl 56 prediction
Chiefs over Buccaneers
This would be the first Super Bowl rematch in 28 years and there’s good reason for it, as both teams have special quarterbacks, loaded rosters, veteran offensive-minded coaches and playmaking defenses. This time, expect a classic where Mahomes and the Chiefs learn well from how the Buccaneers played them so well last February. Mahomes losing the biggest game of them all twice in a row just doesn’t seem likely.