Tank's 2021 NFL Season Preview
AFC East
- Buffalo Bills 13-4
- Miami Dolphins 10-7 (WC)
- New England Patriots 9-8
- New York Jets 5-12
The Buffalo Bills are a legitimate Super Bowl contender who will gain a great home-field advantage from a fan base that is starved for a winner. Tua Tagovailoa will be under the microscope in Miami, but it will be the Dolphins' defense that helps lead them to the playoffs. The Patriots will be in the picture, but Mac Jones will have some growing pains as they fall short of the playoffs. The Jets will once again be grounded as they again finish in last place and far out of contention.
AFC North
- Baltimore Ravens 12-5
- Cleveland Browns 11-6 (WC)
- Pittsburgh Steelers 8-9
- Cincinnati Bengals 6-11
The Ravens and Browns will battle for the division, with Baltimore getting the division title led by their strong defense. The Browns, however, could make noise in the playoffs. The Steelers will fall short of the playoffs as Ben Roethlisberger fades away in his final season. The Cincinnati Bengals will again be chasing their tails as Joe Burrow finds himself on the run again, with the balls being too dark for Ja'Marr Chase.
AFC South
- Tennessee Titans 11-6
- Indianapolis Colts 9-8
- Jacksonville Jaguars 4-13
- Houston Texans 2-15
The Tennessee Titans added Julio Jones, which should help Derrick Henry by taking away some of the focus. However, it will once again be up to Henry to carry the Titans when it matters. Carson Wentz must stay healthy to give the Indianapolis Colts a chance at the playoffs. The Jacksonville Jaguars will show signs of life as Trevor Lawrence plays well, but the road to the playoffs is far away for a team that enters the season with 15-straight losses. The Houston Texans are a clusterfuck.
AFC West
- Kansas City Chiefs 13-4
- Los Angeles Chargers 11-6 (WC)
- Las Vegas Raiders 7-10
- Denver Broncos the 6-11
The Kansas City Chiefs will be again Super Bowl or bust as Patrick Mahomes takes home another MVP award while trying to get back the Lombardi Trophy. The Los Angeles Chargers will get into the playoffs as Justin Herbert shines, while the Las Vegas Raiders come up craps with a poorly constructed roster. The Denver Broncos will learn early that Teddy Bridgewater is not the answer as they finish in last place.
NFC East
- Washington Football Team 10-7
- New York Giants 8-9
- Dallas Cowboys 7-10
- Philadelphia Eagles 4-13
Washington does not have a nickname, but they have a fierce defense as Chase Young will take the Defensive Player of the Year, as Ryan Fitzpatrick shows there is still some Fitzmagic. Daniel Jones will continue to leave lingering doubts as the New York Giants fall short of the playoffs. Dak Prescott will struggle in his return from the broken leg, as Ezekiel Elliott has another disappointing season. The Philadelphia Eagles will be searching for a new quarterback at the season's end as Jalen Hurts proves he is not the answer.
NFC North
- Green Bay Packers 13-4
- Minnesota Vikings 9-8
- Chicago Bears 6-11
- Detroit Lions 5-12
After threatening to retire, Aaron Rodgers is back with the Green Bay Packers. The Packers should be able to win the NFC North without an issue, as the Minnesota Vikings again will be mediocre as Kirk Cousins continues to be inconsistent. The Chicago Bears will again disappoint as Matt Nagy's offense holds them back, while the Detroit Lions are once again rebuilding with Jared Goff now exiled from LA.
NFC South
- New Orleans Saints 12-5
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11-6 (WC)
- Atlanta Falcons 6-11
- Carolina Panthers 6-11
The New Orleans Saints will begin the season on the road as New Orleans recovers from damage from Hurricane Ida. Jameis Winston has a chance to prove himself, as he has a big season and makes a run at the MVP. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will not return to the Super Bowl, but Tom Brady again will have them in the running. The Atlanta Falcons will have their struggles as the Carolina Panthers finish in last place.
NFC West
- Los Angeles Rams 11-6
- Seattle Seahawks 10-7 (WC)
- Arizona Cardinals 9-8 (WC)
- San Francisco 49ers 8-9
Top to bottom, this is the most competitive division in the NFL. Matthew Stafford will shine in Sean McVay's system, leading the Los Angeles Rams to a division title. The Seattle Seahawks again will be riding the broad shoulders of Russell Wilson to a playoff berth, while Kyle Murray gets his first taste of the postseason with the Arizona Cardinals. The San Francisco 49ers, meanwhile, will lag behind as they continue to deal with a quarterback controversy.
Playoff Picks
AFC Wild Card
- Chiefs 31 Dolphins 20
- Ravens 27 Browns 24
- Titans 27 Chargers 20
NFC Wild Card
- Saints 41 Cardinals 17
- Seahawks 27 Rams 23
- Washington 17 Buccaneers 16
AFC Divisional
- Bills 27 Titans 23
- Ravens 30 Chiefs 27
NFC Divisional
- Seahawks 31 Packers 27
- Saints 31 Washington 20
AFC Championship
- Bills 38 Ravens 27
NFC Championship
- Saints 38 Seahawks 34
Super Bowl LVI
- Bills 30 Saints 27
NFL Awards
- Coach of the Year: Brian Flores, Miami Dolphins
- Comeback Player of the Year: Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints
- Defensive Rookie of the Year: Gregory Rosseau, Buffalo Bills
- Offensive Rookie of the Year: Mac Jones, New England Patriots
- Defensive Player of the Year: Chase Young, Washington Football Team
- Offensive Player of the Year: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
- MVP: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs