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NFL power rankings: 2021 edition: Buccaneers dethrone the Chiefs

By Russell S. Baxter

TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signals during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signals during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 24: Shaquil Barrett #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sacks Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter during the NFC Championship game at Lambeau Field on January 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 24: Shaquil Barrett #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sacks Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter during the NFC Championship game at Lambeau Field on January 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Green Bay Packers. 3. team. 49. . 14-4. Previous:

For the second straight year, Matt LaFleur’s club won 13 games, the NFC North and reached the conference title game. But the Packers still haven’t been back to the Super Bowl since 2010 and this year were beaten at home by the eventual Super Bowl champion Buccaneers. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was the league’s MVP, throwing 48 TD passes opposed to only five interceptions. But the highest-scoring team in the NFL fell short in the playoffs again.

16-3. Previous: . Kansas City Chiefs. 2. team. 124.

Andy Reid’s club finished with the best record in the NFL and set a franchise record with 14 wins. Led by talented Patrick Mahomes and the league’s top-ranked offense, the Chiefs knocked off the Browns and Bills on the way to a Super Bowl showdown with the Buccaneers. But the Kansas City offense was stifled by Tampa’s defense and limited Reid’s team to three field goals. It was a very disappointing ending to what appeared to be a huge season.

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15-5. Previous: . Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 1. team. 48.

It started out a little shaky and Bruce Arians’ team owned a 7-5 record after a Week 12 loss to the Chiefs. But the Buccaneers (see the New York Times) became the fifth team to win three road playoff games and reach the Super Bowl. And the club’s convincing 31-9 win over defending champion Kansas City saw quarterback Tom Brady garner Super Bowl MVP honors for the fifth time. And the Tampa defense sent a message to the rest of the league.

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