Can you feel it? The weather is cooling, the leaves are falling, and I’m ready to order pizza for 85% of the next five months. It’s football season, the most wonderful time of the year. Here are my NFL Predictions for the 2021 NFL Season. I’m not putting record predictions. I have to limit the amount of evidence for the “Wow, what a moron” crowd come playoff season.
American Football Conference
AFC East
Final Standings: Buffalo, Miami, New England, New York Jets
It’s officially a new era out East. Josh Allen has taken the throne that was held by King Brady for years, but he will have no shortage of potential suitors with Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, and Zach Wilson creating what could be an insanely fun QB division for years to come. Barring catastrophic injury, Buffalo is going nowhere. I have Miami barely finishing ahead of New England, but if Mac Jones is everything that he is being sold as, New England could be a sneaky playoff team with their improvements.
AFC North
Final Standings: Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati
To think Pittsburgh will not be competing for an AFC North title is a weird thing, but this feels like reality. The ass whooping Cleveland put on Pittsburgh in the playoffs last season made you forget the days of the Cleveland Bud Light Victory Fridge. I actually think I like the Browns roster slightly more than Baltimore, but I think either could win the division and I had Baltimore finishing with more wins. Pittsburgh has talent, no doubt. I just don’t think their roster is as well rounded as the Ravens and Browns. Cincinnati’s biggest goal should be to make sure Joe Burrow looks healthy. The North should be as physical a division as it always is.
AFC South
Final Standings: Tennessee, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Houston
Two mid-level playoff teams and two cellar holders. Tennessee and Indy will have a couple fun games and I think they are fairly even matched. If Wentz can find any of his old Philly magic, Indy could win the division. I think Tennessee has just a little too much top end talent with Derrick Henry, AJ Brown, and potentially Julio Jones. I am excited to see Trevor Lawrence perform and think he will live up to the hype. If you want to see potentially the ugliest games of the season, watch the two Jacksonville vs Houston games.
AFC West
Final Standings: Kansas City, Los Angeles Chargers, Denver, Las Vegas
Everyone knows Kansas City will be outstanding. The Mahomes-Hill-Kelce combo is the best trio in the league. I’m more interested in what happens after that. I think Justin Herbert is sitting on a big follow up to his legendary rookie season in Los Angeles. The Chargers were in so many games last year that ended with a missed kick or other dramatic way. I think they make the playoffs this year. Denver needs a Quarterback (“Hello, Aaron Rodgers” in 2022), but the roster is fairly strong. They will give other teams a battle. Considering Jon Gruden hasn’t accomplished much in his return to the Raiders, he may be on the chopping block. I think they are a middle of the road team that could catch a few good teams off guard.
National Football Conference
NFC East
Final Standings: Dallas, Washington, New York Giants, Philadelphia
I am so surprised that I have two teams in this division going to the playoffs in Dallas and Washington. The reality is that I think they just beat up on New York and Philly. Dallas has more flashy players, but Washington has the better roster. I look forward to seeing if Washington’s defense can jump to elite status this year. New York needs to keep Saquon Barkley healthy for any hope of a playoff berth. Philadelphia is going to need the spirit of Rocky Balboa to have any hope of a competitive season.
NFC North
Final Standings: Green Bay, Minnesota, Chicago, Detroit
As a Vikings fan I can’t explain to you how excited I am that Aaron Rodgers seems to be playing his final year in the NFC North. I also can’t explain to you how nervous I am that Rodgers goes on a Last Dance style title run to end his time in Green Bay. Green Bay has to be the favorites still, but I think the Vikings will surprise people with their improvements on defense as well as the return of Anthony Barr and Danielle Hunter. Justin Fields should bring excitement to Chicago, but unless he gets in early I don’t see him making a difference. The Lions are going to be taking out knee caps and losing while doing it.
NFC South
Final Standings: Tampa Bay, New Orleans, Atlanta, Carolina
Are we certain that Tom Brady isn’t Benjamin Button and aging backwards?44 years old and coming off a seventh Super Bowl ring. He returns with one of his deepest teams again. Tampa could be right back in the Super Bowl this year. I expect Brady to look human at times again like he has most seasons, but come December it’s a different game to him. New Orleans may be underrated and I think Jameis Winston could have good numbers. Atlanta seems to be ready for a transition at Quarterback, but they have enough pieces to be a competitive team. Carolina puts their trust in Sam Darnold, but how often does a change of scenery actually help a player? Not often.
NFC West
Final Standings: San Francisco, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle, Arizona
The best division in football and one that will have great games each week. San Francisco takes the division due to the benefit of their team being healthy again and playing a last place schedule. Los Angeles could be very good and I think a lot of people will be surprised to see how good of a Quarterback Matthew Stafford actually is. Seattle just seems like the same team which isn’t a bad thing, but just doesn’t do much in a division where other teams have improved. Arizona is a good team with one of the most exciting players in the NFL in Kyler Murray, but are just unfortunate to be in a division with three other playoff caliber teams.
NFL Awards
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Micah Parsons, Linebacker (Dallas)
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Mac Jones, Quarterback (New England)
Defensive Player of the Year: Myles Garrett, Defensive End (Cleveland)
NFL Most Valuable Player: Josh Allen, Quarterback (Buffalo)
Post Season Predictions
AFC Playoff Teams (in no particular order): Buffalo, Baltimore, Cleveland, Tennessee, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles Chargers
NFC Playoff Teams (in no particular order): Dallas, Washington, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, San Francisco, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle
Super Bowl LVI: Kansas City Chiefs defeat Los Angeles Rams