2021 NFL power rankings, Week 1: Buccaneers still own top spot

There is a new head coach in former Titans’ offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Perhaps more significantly, the team was able to coax defensive mind Dean Pees out of retirement. He hopes to help a unit that gave up the most passing yards in the league last year as well as 34 scores through the air.

Matt Ryan continues to pile up the yards but Smith must provide him with some balance. Can Pees find the consistent pass rush that has eluded the club?

It’s a team that has a new head coach (Robert Saleh) and a rookie starting quarterback (Zach Wilson). It’s also a franchise that hasn’t been to the postseason since 2010 – the longest-active playoff drought in the league.

A year ago, it took the Jets 14 tries to win a football game. This year, the club used a first-round pick on a quarterback (BYU’s Zach Wilson) for the second time in four years. Unfortunately, it’s been a rough offseason for the club.

A year ago, the Bengals made LSU quarterback Joe Burrow the first overall pick in the draft and he showed well before going down with a knee injury. He’s back and if he can stay healthy, this could be an intriguing offense.

Head coach Zac Taylor had this team playing respectable football at times but in two seasons at the helm the Bengals are a combined 2-10 vs. their AFC North neighbors. Cincinnati’s defense still has some work to do.

The team has finished 5-11 two consecutive years. A year after inking Teddy Bridgewater to a lucrative contract, the Panthers opted to trade for Sam Darnold – the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He has some weapons to work with, especially if running back Christian McCaffrey can stay healthy this year.

There are wideouts D.J. Moore and Robby Anderson. But does Matt Rhule have a defensive unit that scares opponents?