Power ranking NFL teams most likely worst-to-first in 2021
We take a look at eight NFL teams who could improve on their 2019 seasons heading into next year.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are going to have a tough time winning four games this season. While the AFC South isn’t the strongest division in football, going 4-12 likely isn’t cutting it. Jacksonville is clearly playing for the future, and while that’s fine, it won’t be fun to watch in 2020.
7. Carolina Panthers
Carolina is entering a new era with Matt Rhule as head coach and Teddy Bridgewater under center. The Panthers have some talent on the offense in running back Christian McCaffrey, receivers Curtis Samuel and D.J. Moore, and the aforementioned Bridgewater. Carolina general manager Marty Hurney spent his entire draft on the defense, but it’s going to take reps before he sees fruit for his effort.
Want $250 to bet on NFL futures?
6. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are going to be fun in 2020. Joe Burrow energizes the offense which has legitimate playmakers in receivers A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd, and running back Joe Mixon. However, the defense is still a wreck and the AFC North is very tough with the Baltimore Ravens leading the way. Baltimore probably slides back from 14-2, but even 10 or 11 wins is the eventual benchmark to win the division. Not going to happen in Cincy.
5. Washington Redskins
Washington finally has a chance now that former team president Bruce Allen has been moved out, and head coach Ron Rivera has been brought in. Still, even with the NFC East being won with a 9-7 record last year, it’s hard to make a case for the Redskins. If Washington is to make the quantum leap, it’ll need Dwayne Haskins to make major strides without the help of a top-tier weapons group.
4. Detroit Lions
The Lions were competitive before Matthew Stafford was lost for the season in November. If Detroit can keep Stafford upright, there’s at least some hope of a solid year in Motown. The main problem? The Lions haven’t put a quality defense on the field, and the NFC North is quite good.
3. Los Angeles Chargers
This would take some kind of disaster for the Kansas City Chiefs. Still, the Chargers are very deep defensively and if Justin Herbert or Tyrod Taylor plays well, the offense has weapons all over in running back Austin Ekeler, receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen, and tight end Hunter Henry. If Los Angeles gets quality play from under center, it could give the Chiefs a scare.
Read: Cam Newton Attracting Little Interest As Free Agent
2. Arizona Cardinals
Now we get into the intriguing teams. The Cardinals traded for DeAndre Hopkins and added both rookie linebacker Isaiah Simmons and tackle Jordan Phillips to their defense. Figure in the maturation of both head coach Kliff Kingsbury and quarterback Kyler Murray in their second years, and Arizona should be notably better. While the NFC West is loaded, it’s not hard to see the Cardinals causing major problems for the heavyweights.
1. Miami Dolphins
Tom Brady is in Tampa Bay. Tua Tagovailoa is in Miami. The Dolphins went on a spending spree this offseason adding linebacker Kyle Van Noy, edge rushers Shaq Lawson and Emmanuel Ogbah, cornerback Byron Jones and guard Ereck Flowers. Then they had a legion of draft picks on both sides of the ball. After going 5-11 last year — and winning five of its final nine games — Miami is a real threat to win the AFC East.
