Finally, the wait is over—the NFL Draft just got over, and the NFL schedule is out. Meaning, there is something for football fans to be excited about in the latter half of the year. With the 2021 training camp just a month away, sports bettors are curious about the NFL power ranking. In fact, most of the online casinos agree that the favorites this season are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs; both teams are topping the odds boards.
The most awaited journey will kick off on Sep 9 with Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys meeting in the NFL kickoff game—a perfect beginning indeed. In the 18-week season, every team will play 17 games under the new expanded format.
With all that being said, let’s take a look at the favorite contenders this season.
NFL 2021 Preseason Update
The end of June marked the end of the 2021 NFL Draft, all the organized team activities, and minicamps. Currently, all the teams are preparing for the training camp. Unlike previous seasons when centers began on different dates, this year, 29 of 32 teams will be back to work on July 27, 2021. As Pittsburgh and Dallas have to play in the Hall of Fame Game, so their camp will start on July 21. The Defending Champions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will be reporting to the camp on July 24.
2021 NFL Super Bowl Favorites
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers have been at the top since the beginning of the 2021 NFL Power Rankings. So, it is pretty hard to make an argument against the team. The reigning Super Bowl champions return all 22 starters as they headed into 2021. What’s more, every starter returning has never once taken place in the salary cap era (1994). In fact, it has only happened two times in history.
In 1977, the Oakland Rider did something similar and made the AFC Championship the following season. Later in 1980, the Pittsburgh Steelers also returned all 22 starters from the 1979 Week 1 roster and bagged back-to-back Super Bowls. The Buccaneers are planning to repeat history in 2021.
- Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs’ participation in the last two Super Bowls can be simply classified by dividing the two games into a win-loss column. The Chiefs enhanced offense was directed by “Future GOAT” Patrick Mahomes, who finished second in passing competence the last two seasons.
Due to injury, the team had to release both offensive tackles at the beginning of the offseason—news that led many enthusiasts to think their offensive line would regress as they go into 2021. However, the Chiefs turned that around quickly, adding Joe Thuney in free agency, trading for Orlando Brown, the Ravens; standout to play left tackle, and drafting Creed Humphrey.
From what can be seen, the Chiefs do have an improved offensive line in 2021. So, if they manage to keep their defense somewhere close to the middle of the pack, they can win the AFC West and compete for Super Bowls.
- Buffalo Bills
Apparently, the Bills seem to have the best overall roster in the AFC. Nevertheless, what differentiates the Bills from the Chiefs is the disproportion in quarterback play. The Bills witnesses elite QB play from Josh Allen in 2020 whereas, the Chiefs had an otherworldly QB controlling the reigns.
Additionally, Allen moved from an unstable athletic freak last year to a true top-tier NFL quarterback. Now, as Allen gets ready for his fourth NFL season, there is no reason to think his arrow points anywhere further north.
- Green Bay Packers
Thanks to Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers will continue to be a top favorite this NFL season. But, unfortunately, the drama that the Packers are trying to manage right now is something they have already dealt with in the 2020 season. Fortunately, that animosity between front office and quarterback didn’t negatively impact the team last year.
The Packers have a great secondary with Jaire Alexander, Darnell Savage, and Adrian Amos, who are all top-25 players at their respective positions. Furthermore, they also have Eric Stokes and Kevin King.
- Cleveland Browns
Perhaps, the Browns have one of the best top-to-bottom depth charts in the entire league. However, all levels of the offense and defense had a talent, and the one question that remains is how far Baker Mayfield will be able to take them.
The third-year quarterback has definitely improved in terms of his performance. However, he has to get to the next level for Cleveland to become a genuine Super Bowl contender. On the other hand, the defensive line and the defensive backfield ooze unbelievable talent. If Odell Beckham Jr. manages to regain his form, it will definitely grow tough to imagine a scarier team to face.-
