Post by NFL on Aug 9, 2021 21:37:27 GMT -5
** AFC East **
1. New England Patriots
New England heads into 2021 with one of the most balanced rosters in the league (Off 8th / Def 5th) and great odds to repeat as AFC East champions. Of the five teams with three consecutive playoff appearances, the Patriots look to have the best chance at keeping their streak alive this season.
2. Buffalo Bills
Despite finishing last season top 5 in points scored, Buffalo wasn't able to secure a playoff spot for the third straight season. Their defense (25th) has not improved much but the offense (7th) should be strong enough to carry them to another winning record in 2021. They currently project as the third wildcard team in the AFC.
3. New York Jets
Just outside the wildcard race are the Jets who also had a disappointing 2020 season following their Super Bowl run the year prior. No major additions for New York so they are able to keep both a league average offense (15th) and defense (18th) heading into this season. The AFC East odds are against them but a 2021 playoff berth is not unattainable.
4. Miami Dolphins
After a combined 1-28 record over the last two seasons, Miami is looking to finally get back in the win column as they continue their rebuild. The offense (25th) ranks in the bottom quarter of the league but the defense (19th) sits a bit higher with the addition of Jabrill Peppers and the return of Derwin James. With many rookies in starting roles, expect the offense to improve as the season progresses.
** AFC North **
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh is looking to repeat as AFC North champions as well as pick up their third consecutive season double digit win season. The Steelers are balanced, with no part of their roster looking particularly elite. The offense (11th) and defense (8th) are both very solid and should provide the team with a good floor as they head into 2021 against a weakened AFC North.
2. Cincinnati Bengals
The defense (21st) leaves much to be desired but improvements on that side of the ball could certainly increase Cincinnati's chances of winning the division for the first time. The offense (9th) continues to be strong but more balance will be necessary to improve upon last season's results. The Bengals to currently project to finish as an AFC wildcard.
3. Cleveland Browns
After three consecutive last place finishes, the Browns are projected to improve within the division rankings in 2021. They are not far out of a playoff spot, but their offense (20th) and defense (16th) hovering around league average will not be enough for them to make a push for a playoff spot in the AFC. Adding a starting K and upgrading at TE would be huge additions for this Cleveland team.
4. Baltimore Ravens
There is not a team more unbalanced than the Ravens and it is not particularly close. The defense (1st) is elite, but the offense (32nd) is by far the worst in the league. It ranks as the second worst unit in the whole league (after Detroit's defense) and it would look a lot worse without a starting kicker. Adding starting talent at any of QB / RB / WR would drastically improve this offense, but there are quite a few holes to fill before week one.
** AFC South **
1. Tennessee Titans
Not a surprise but Tennessee is still loaded and they were able to add even more talent with eight picks in this season's rookie draft, including four in the first round. The defense (7th) is certainly not weak but the offense (1st) ranks as the best in the league and it's pretty clear why. The Titans rank as the 2nd best team in the league overall but have a sizable lead over the rest of the AFC.
2. Houston Texans
While Houston projects as the second best AFC South team, they also project as the 2nd best team in the conference as well. After coming up short on playoff appearances the last three seasons, the Texans look like a playoff lock heading into 2021. The team has been completely rebuilt and the balance on both offense (6th) and defense (4th) really showcases that.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
By no means is Jacksonville a bad team, but their three year run of division titles looks like it may be coming to an end. With both Tennessee & Houston completing short rebuilds, it really has put the Jaguars' ageing roster on the brink of their potential championship window. Despite some big names, the Jacksonville offense (22nd) is actually looking weaker than the defense (15th) and it's going to take some significant moves to fill out the holes on this roster prior to week one.
4. Indianapolis Colts
After some tough playoff luck in 2018 & 2019, the Colts hit their worst season to date in 2020. And without any meaningful draft capital or cap space, the team is looking very similar in 2021. The defense (9th) carries over some big names from last season but the offense (24th) is pretty weak and could take an even bigger hit with the uncertainty long term with Cam Newton at QB. Indy needs to balance out this roster or it may be time to sell.
** AFC West **
1. Los Angeles Chargers
2. Las Vegas Raiders
3. Denver Broncos
4. Kansas City Chiefs
These four teams don't even deserve their own write-ups. Projections have three of the four AFC West teams ranked in the bottom four teams in the league (LV - 29, DEN - 30, KC - 31) and the Chargers aren't very far ahead of them at 22nd overall. All four of these teams own their 2022 draft picks so expect the division winner to be upset in round one of the playoffs and the other three teams to be picking in the top 10 next season. For whatever it's worth, the Chargers defense does rank 10th overall but all four AFC West offenses rank in the bottom 6 in the league.
1. New England Patriots
New England heads into 2021 with one of the most balanced rosters in the league (Off 8th / Def 5th) and great odds to repeat as AFC East champions. Of the five teams with three consecutive playoff appearances, the Patriots look to have the best chance at keeping their streak alive this season.
2. Buffalo Bills
Despite finishing last season top 5 in points scored, Buffalo wasn't able to secure a playoff spot for the third straight season. Their defense (25th) has not improved much but the offense (7th) should be strong enough to carry them to another winning record in 2021. They currently project as the third wildcard team in the AFC.
3. New York Jets
Just outside the wildcard race are the Jets who also had a disappointing 2020 season following their Super Bowl run the year prior. No major additions for New York so they are able to keep both a league average offense (15th) and defense (18th) heading into this season. The AFC East odds are against them but a 2021 playoff berth is not unattainable.
4. Miami Dolphins
After a combined 1-28 record over the last two seasons, Miami is looking to finally get back in the win column as they continue their rebuild. The offense (25th) ranks in the bottom quarter of the league but the defense (19th) sits a bit higher with the addition of Jabrill Peppers and the return of Derwin James. With many rookies in starting roles, expect the offense to improve as the season progresses.
** AFC North **
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh is looking to repeat as AFC North champions as well as pick up their third consecutive season double digit win season. The Steelers are balanced, with no part of their roster looking particularly elite. The offense (11th) and defense (8th) are both very solid and should provide the team with a good floor as they head into 2021 against a weakened AFC North.
2. Cincinnati Bengals
The defense (21st) leaves much to be desired but improvements on that side of the ball could certainly increase Cincinnati's chances of winning the division for the first time. The offense (9th) continues to be strong but more balance will be necessary to improve upon last season's results. The Bengals to currently project to finish as an AFC wildcard.
3. Cleveland Browns
After three consecutive last place finishes, the Browns are projected to improve within the division rankings in 2021. They are not far out of a playoff spot, but their offense (20th) and defense (16th) hovering around league average will not be enough for them to make a push for a playoff spot in the AFC. Adding a starting K and upgrading at TE would be huge additions for this Cleveland team.
4. Baltimore Ravens
There is not a team more unbalanced than the Ravens and it is not particularly close. The defense (1st) is elite, but the offense (32nd) is by far the worst in the league. It ranks as the second worst unit in the whole league (after Detroit's defense) and it would look a lot worse without a starting kicker. Adding starting talent at any of QB / RB / WR would drastically improve this offense, but there are quite a few holes to fill before week one.
** AFC South **
1. Tennessee Titans
Not a surprise but Tennessee is still loaded and they were able to add even more talent with eight picks in this season's rookie draft, including four in the first round. The defense (7th) is certainly not weak but the offense (1st) ranks as the best in the league and it's pretty clear why. The Titans rank as the 2nd best team in the league overall but have a sizable lead over the rest of the AFC.
2. Houston Texans
While Houston projects as the second best AFC South team, they also project as the 2nd best team in the conference as well. After coming up short on playoff appearances the last three seasons, the Texans look like a playoff lock heading into 2021. The team has been completely rebuilt and the balance on both offense (6th) and defense (4th) really showcases that.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
By no means is Jacksonville a bad team, but their three year run of division titles looks like it may be coming to an end. With both Tennessee & Houston completing short rebuilds, it really has put the Jaguars' ageing roster on the brink of their potential championship window. Despite some big names, the Jacksonville offense (22nd) is actually looking weaker than the defense (15th) and it's going to take some significant moves to fill out the holes on this roster prior to week one.
4. Indianapolis Colts
After some tough playoff luck in 2018 & 2019, the Colts hit their worst season to date in 2020. And without any meaningful draft capital or cap space, the team is looking very similar in 2021. The defense (9th) carries over some big names from last season but the offense (24th) is pretty weak and could take an even bigger hit with the uncertainty long term with Cam Newton at QB. Indy needs to balance out this roster or it may be time to sell.
** AFC West **
1. Los Angeles Chargers
2. Las Vegas Raiders
3. Denver Broncos
4. Kansas City Chiefs
These four teams don't even deserve their own write-ups. Projections have three of the four AFC West teams ranked in the bottom four teams in the league (LV - 29, DEN - 30, KC - 31) and the Chargers aren't very far ahead of them at 22nd overall. All four of these teams own their 2022 draft picks so expect the division winner to be upset in round one of the playoffs and the other three teams to be picking in the top 10 next season. For whatever it's worth, the Chargers defense does rank 10th overall but all four AFC West offenses rank in the bottom 6 in the league.