2021 NFL power rankings: Final regular season edition
30. . 4-13. Previous: . New York Jets. 28. team
It’s been another long year for a franchise that currently owns the longest postseason draft postseason drought in the league. However, the Green and White had been playing better as of late and headed to Buffalo looking to avoid a season sweep at the hands of the Bills.
Robert Saleh’s club finished with an embarrassing 53 total yards (46 offensive plays) by game’s end but managed to hang with the soon-to-be AFC East champions for three quarters.
27. team. 10. . 4-13. Previous: . Houston Texans
The Texans had been playing better football down the stretch. And David Culley’s club had already knocked off the Titans earlier this year. Houston spotted Tennessee a 21-0 lead at halftime before making their move.
Rookie quarterback Davis Mills finished with 301 yards through the air and three scores – two of those TD tosses to veteran Danny Amendola. But Lovie Smith’s struggling defensive unit allowed 405 total yards by afternoon’s end.
Chicago Bears. 26. team. 57. . 6-11. Previous:
Matt Nagy’s club looked to close the season with a third consecutive win when they traveled to Minnesota. Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton got the start and jettisoned the Bears to a 14-0 second-quarter lead.
But Chicago would be outscored a combined 31-3 the rest of the game and the 11-year pro would be sacked seven times. Dalton also threw one TD pass and two interceptions – one taken back for a score – capping a disappointing year.
. 7-10. Previous: . Seattle Seahawks. 25. team. 36
Pete Carroll’s team is in the midst of its first losing season since 2011. But that didn’t stop the Seahawks from going to the desert and surviving a wild shootout against the playoff-bound Cardinals.
Former first-round pick Rashaad Penny ran 23 times for a gaudy 190 yards. Russell Wilson overcame a pair of turnovers by throwing for 238 yards and three scores – two of those to Tyler Lockett. The Seahawks were the only NFC West team to miss the playoffs.