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NFL power rankings: Buccaneers, Chiefs still lead way into 2021

By Russell S. Baxter

TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: A detailed view of the scoreboard after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs, 31-9. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: A detailed view of the scoreboard after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Chiefs, 31-9. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 02: Urban Meyer walks on the field in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 02: Urban Meyer walks on the field in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

It’s been another wild offseason and there could be more changes on the horizon. But the Super Bowl LV opponents look better than ever.

Free agency is winding down, although there’s are still some veterans to be scooped up. There have been 259 selections by the 32 teams as the 2021 NFL Draft is in the books. So why not take an early look at how the clubs stack from 32-1 in this post-draft NFL Power Rankings. There may be a surprise or two.

2021 NFL power rankings

52. . . . Jacksonville Jaguars. 32. team

First-time NFL head coach Urban Meyer inherits a team with a combined 12-36 record the past three seasons and enters 2021 with a 15-game losing streak. The rebuild starts with the Clemson duo of quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne. It’s the defense that must rediscover a winning formula as the club allowed the second-most total yards and points in the league in ’20 and new coordinator Joe Cullen has a lot of work ahead.

. . Detroit Lions. 31. team. 50.

The newest head coach in the Motor City is exuberant Dan Campbell, who inherits a club that owns a combined 14-33-1 record the past three years and a team that allowed the second-most points (519) in a season in NFL annals. There’s a new quarterback in Jared Goff, obtained in a trade that sent veteran Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams. Former Chargers’ head coach Anthony Lynn takes over the offense. Let the latest rebuild begin.

team. 10. . . . Houston Texans. 30

Bill O’Brien had led the franchise to four division titles in five years. But a 0-4 start this past season put the head coach/general manager out of work. The club comes off a 4-12 showing and no GM Nick Caserio is at the controls signing a ton of veteran free agents while the likes of J.J. Watt (released), Benardrick McKinney (traded to Miami) and Will Fuller (signed with Dolphins). And the future of quarterback Deshaun Watson remains a bit uncertain.

Philadelphia Eagles. 29. team. 54. . .

Former Colts’ offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni is now the new sideline leader in the City of Brotherly Love. This after the Birds tumbled to 4-11-1 following three consecutive postseason appearances. Second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts is reunited with one-time teammate Devonta Smith, the 2020 Heisman Trophy-winning wide receiver. But the Eagles still have to fix a number of problems. The club allowed a league-high 65 sacks this past season.

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