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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 16: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams lines up for a play in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lambeau Field on January 16, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 16: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams lines up for a play in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lambeau Field on January 16, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Rams. 9. team. 51. . 11-7. Previous:

NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald spearheaded a unit that allowed the fewest total yards while the Rams gave up a league-low 296 points. However, defensive coordinator Brandon Staley is now the head coach of the Chargers and former Falcons’ interim head coach Raheem Morris now takes over the defense. Meanwhile, Jared Goff is headed to Detroit as veteran Mathew Stafford will be the team’s new starting quarterback in 2021.

11-6. Previous: . Indianapolis Colts. 8. team. 46.

For the second time in three seasons under Frank Reich, the Colts were a playoff team. Veteran Philip Rivers played better down the stretch but the Indianapolis’ offense was inconsistent at best. Rookie running back Jonathan Taylor got hot in the season’s final weeks and is hope for the future. But Rivers has now opted for retirement and general manager Chris Ballard has some work to do. The Colts’ defense comes off a solid 2020.

7. team. 15. . 13-5. Previous: . New Orleans Saints

By all indications (via Mike Triplett of ESPN), Drew Brees has played his last NFL game. And although the Saints wound up winning the NFC South for the fourth consecutive year, a 12-4 showing – including a 6-0 regular-season mark within the division – proved to be a disappointment when the team couldn’t beat the Buccaneers for a third time in ’20. Dennis Allen’s defensive unit finished highly ranked but was inconsistent at best and faded late.

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