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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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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 25: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings is flipped by P.J. Williams #26 of the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 25, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 25: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings is flipped by P.J. Williams #26 of the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 25, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

Previous: . Carolina Panthers. 24. team. 87. . 5-11

The team finished 5-11 for the second consecutive year but first-time NFL head coach Matt Rhule appears to have the club headed in the right direction. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was effective and utilized wideouts D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel consistency and the team actually scored 10 more points in 2020 even minus versatile running back Christian McCaffrey for the majority of the year. And a young defense endured some growing pains.

New York Giants. 23. team. 31. . 6-10. Previous:

Following a 0-5 start, first-time NFL head coach Joe Judge guided the team to six wins in their final 11 games. But the Giants dug themselves far too big of a whole and the end result was a fourth consecutive finish with 10-plus losses. New York lost second-year running back Saquon Barkley in Week 2 and he did not play again. The defense made strides from previous years and quarterback Daniel Jones cut down on the miscues after a rough start.

22. team. 60. . 7-9. Previous: . Minnesota Vikings

Mike Zimmer joined the Purple Gang in 2014 and the Vikings have still yet to reach the playoffs in consecutive seasons. The main issue this year was a defense that played its share of youngsters after the club made its share of decisions during the offseason. A season after allowing a respectable 303 points in ’19 on the way to the playoffs, only three teams in the NFL were easier to score on (475). Rookie wideout Justin Jefferson was a huge bright spot.

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