JACKSONVILLE – Senior writer John Oehser's pre-Week 1 2021 NFL power rankings. And we all know how important these are …
Rank.Team (record) | Prev. | Comment
1.Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) | No. 1 until they're not
2.Kansas City Chiefs (14-2) | No. 2 until they're not
3.Buffalo Bills (13-3) | Don't assume they can't beat the Chiefs
4.Green Bay Packers (13-3) | Because he's Aaron Rodgers
5.Seattle Seahawks (12-4) | As Russell Wilson goes …
6.Baltimore Ravens (11-5) | They can outrun anyone, but will that beat KC and Buffalo?
7.Los Angeles Rams (10-6) | It's win now – or at least really soon – for these guys
8.Cleveland Browns (11-5) | Higher expectations here than there has been in decades
9.Tennessee Titans (11-5) | They know how they play and play to their strengths
10.Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) | A serious contender as long as Big Ben is playing
11.Miami Dolphins (10-6) | Tua's development key to immediate future
12.New Orleans Saints (12-4) | Life after Brees begins
13.Indianapolis Colts (11-5) | Wentz isn't the only story here, but he's the most important one
14.New England Patriots (7-9) | Can big offseason spending get Belichick back to postseason?
15.Arizona Cardinals (8-8) | Pressure is on here for a playoff berth
16.Los Angeles Chargers (7-9) | Huge expectations Justin Herbert's second season
17.Las Vegas Raiders (8-8) | Four consecutive seasons without a postseason appearance
18.Washington Football Team (7-9) | Elite defense, but questions remain offensively
19.Minnesota Vikings (7-9) | Have made the postseason in the last three odd-numbered seasons
20.San Francisco 49ers (6-10) | Feels like a bounce-back year by the bay
21.Dallas Cowboys (6-10) | Zak's back, but will that be enough?
22.Chicago Bears (8-8) | Difficult schedule will make it tough to improve enough for the postseason
23.Atlanta Falcons (4-12) | Matt Ryan remains the guy; is there enough around him?
24.New York Giants (6-10) | Huge focus on QB Daniel Jones in third NFL season
25.Carolina Panthers (5-11) | Year 2 of the Rhule Rebuild begins
26.Denver Broncos (5-11) | The Teddy Bridgewater Era begins
27.Philadelphia Eagles (4-11-1) | Rebuild, reload … whatever, this was an offseason of major change
28.Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1) | Must navigate one of NFL's best divisions as they rebuild
29.Detroit Lions (5-11) | The Long Rebuild in the Motor City begins
30.Jacksonville Jaguars (1-15) | Start 'em here and see where they go
31.New York Jets (2-14) | New QB, new Head Coach, new Era
32.Houston Texans (4-12) | Jaguars travel to Houston in Week 1
