2021 NFL preseason: 5 teams who need it the most
With the 2021 NFL preseason underway, we take a look at five teams who need the tune-ups before we get to the regular season.
5. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals desperately need their offense to be terrific if they’re going to climb out of last place in the AFC North. Cincinnati’s defense added edge rusher Trey Frederickson but also lost a pass-rusher in Carl Lawson and cornerback William Jackson III. Offensively, much rests on quarterback Joe Burrow coming off a torn ACL, and the early returns aren’t good. Perhaps getting three preseason games will help the former No. 1 overall pick to regain his confidence and form.
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4. Philadelphia Eagles
Now you’re going to see a theme. The Eagles have a new starting quarterback in second-year man Jalen Hurts, with first-year head coach Nick Sirianni taking over on the sideline. Philadelphia doesn’t have much in the way of weapons, so Hurts will need to use his legs often and Sirianni must be creative. On the positive side, the defense has a chance to be solid, with Steven Nelson and Darius Slay on the corners, while Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham anchor the front seven.
3. New York Jets
Another team with a new power couple at quarterback and head coach. The Jets are trotting out rookie signal-caller Zach Wilson, who after starring at BYU last season now takes over one of the more star-crossed franchises in the NFL. Wilson has some talent around him in rookie receiver Elijah Moore, free-agent pickup Corey Davis and second-year man Denzel Mims. If New York can find some continuity, perhaps it can be a sneaky playoff contender.
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2. Detroit Lions
For the Lions, this season is about figuring out what Jared Goff’s future is, and whether Dan Campbell is going to justify being signed to a six-year deal as the team’s head coach. Detroit is trying to get the program off the ground once again, and it’s necessary for an organization that hasn’t won more than a single playoff game since 1957. If the Lions are going to get competitive in the next few years, it starts with Goff playing well, Campbell being a long-term fix and a few youngsters stepping up.
1. Houston Texans
Of course, the Texans were going to be at the top of the list. It’s unclear what the plan is with Deshaun Watson, the team has a ton of new players vying for starting gigs, and 65-year-old David Culley is a head coach for the first time at any level. The Texans could use three years of offseason, and it might not be enough.
