By Peyton Schultze

An increasingly-intense rivalry between the Ravens and Browns in the AFC North could be one of the biggest storylines to watch in the AFC this season (via Bleacher Report).

Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick.

The clock is slowly running down on the NFL offseason, which is simply music to every football fans’ ears all around the world. Those same fans will soon be back at full-capacity stadiums for the first time in over a year in just under a week’s time, and everyone is on the edge of their seat to find out which of the NFL’s 32 teams will finish the season hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.

We are now just under a week away from opening kickoff between the Cowboys and Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football, but many questions still remain up for debate. Will the Chiefs be even better this season after their Super Bowl defeat? Will Justin Herbert lead the Chargers back to the postseason in 2021? Can the Bills take another step forward and get to the Super Bowl? Can the Patriots claw their way back to the top of the AFC East? And can the Browns do the unthinkable and actually contend for a Lombardi Trophy? We attempt to answer all of those questions and more in our 2021 AFC Season Preview.

With just days to go before kickoff, turn on the NFL Films music, finish your fantasy drafts, and watch some highlights from your team’s first-round draft pick, as we finally present our season preview of the AFC for the 2021 regular season.

* For postseason and award predictions in both conferences, please see under the “Bengals” section near the bottom of the page.

AFC West

1.Kansas City Chiefs

The two-time reigning AFC champions once again look like Super Bowl favorites, especially with Mahomes locked and loaded for 2021 (via Bleacher Report).

After winning the Super Bowl over the 49ers in February of 2020, Andy Reid’s Chiefs entered last season with real hope of back-to-back titles for the first time in over a decade in the NFL. Then, the Chiefs ran into a pure juggernaut in the form of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who sent Kansas City into a uncertain offseason that forced them to make some key moves to improve their roster. Will that be enough for the Chiefs to stay at the top of the AFC, or will there be some serious challengers to the throne in the conference?

Kansas City does face an improved AFC West heading into the new year, but they’ll remain favorites for as long as #15 is under center. After a riveting start to his still-young career, quarterback Patrick Mahomes looks poised for another gigantic season with an increasing consensus that he may be the best signal caller in the league. But for as magical as Mahomes can be at times, he has plenty of help that makes this group nearly impossible to cover. It is ridiculous that KC may have the single best tight end and single best wide receiver in all of football on the same team, which speaks to the generational talents of Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. That dynamic duo presents a matchup problem each week for opposing defenses, and they’re basically perennial All-Pro locks for as long as they stay healthy. Elsewhere, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire figures to have an even bigger role this season, while receivers Byron Pringle and Mecole Hardman could see increased production after the loss of Sammy Watkins. Yet the biggest difference maker for the Chiefs this season may be a revamped offensive line. Last year’s Super Bowl thrashing forced Kansas City to address their biggest flaw in the offseason, where they went out and acquired left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. from the Ravens and signed elite left guard Joe Thuney. Those moves could make all the difference for this offense, and one would be hard-pressed to find any defense capable of matching up with this group head-to-head.

However, as it was proven in their Super Bowl winning season, the defense may be what makes or breaks this team. The Chiefs’ offense is so good that anything sort of excellence comes as a surprise, but their defense is often faced with some lower expectations that makes them an underrated group. Of course, that is not to say that they’re perfect from top to bottom. Kansas City has a filthy defensive line headlined by star players such as Chris Jones, Frank Clark, and newly-signed Jarran Reed, but the Chiefs struggle a bit at the linebacker level. Teams were able to run the ball a decent amount against this defense last year, which puts even more pressure on linebackers Willie Gay and Anthony Hitchens entering the new year. However, Kansas City still boasts a very reliable secondary that has had some great moments in recent years. The group is once again headlined by “The Honey Badger” Tyrann Mathieu, but the Chiefs have some massively undervalued players roaming the secondary such as Charvarius Ward, Daniel Sorenson, and L’Jarius Snead. Kansas City likely won’t be one of the best defenses in all of football this season, but this group could be a major reason for their potential success this season in a conference with star-studded offenses such as Baltimore, Buffalo, and Cleveland. The Chiefs aren’t only about Mahomes, Reid, Kelce, and Hill, and if they want to be the ones hoisting the Lombardi Trophy once again at the end of the season, they’ll need some unsung heroes to step up to the plate and deliver.

Record: 13-4

Biggest Story to Watch: Can the improved offensive line keep Mahomes upright?

Offensive MVP: Mahomes

Defensive MVP: Jones

2. Los Angeles Chargers

With a sensational franchise quarterback in place for 2021, the Chargers are looking to take a massive step forward in the AFC West (via Sporting News).

Despite another disappointing year in the win-loss column, the Chargers exited the 2020 season with some hope for the future after their newest franchise cornerstone put together pure magic week after week. Now, with a healthy offseason and a loaded roster full of dynamic players, Los Angeles looks like a team that could take a step toward the playoffs as soon as this season, which should bring a smile to long-cursed Charger fans who have been desperate for a return to relevancy in the AFC.

After one of the finest rookie seasons in NFL history, how could expectations not be sky high for Justin Herbert entering the second year of his career? The former Oregon star quickly emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the AFC in the first season of his career in 2020, and he may be even better this season with a full offseason and an improved offensive line. That was the Bolts’ main focus of the offseason, and with newly-drafted tackle Rashawn Slater, solid center Corey Linsley, and the always-consistent Bryan Bulaga, the Chargers’ offensive line may turn from a weakness into a strength. This group should make life even easier for Herbert and company this season, but one of the team’s biggest focuses this year will be getting the ball early and often to running back Austin Ekeler. Ekeler is a dynamic weapon out of the backfield who just needs to stay on the field in order to have a Pro Bowl season, especially with a unique skillset in both the passing and running games. In addition, Herbert will still be throwing to security blanket and top-ten wide receiver Keenan Allen, who headlines a somewhat thin receiving group with Mike Williams, Tyron Johnson, and tight end Jared Cook. After so much promise in 2020, it is hard not to get excited about the potential of this group with Herbert at the helm if he can build upon his success from last year.

Even though the Chargers’ offense may garner more headlines from week-to-week, the team’s defense has potential to be a very solid unit under new defensive-minded head coach Brandon Staley. And after such a long time of being off the field due to major injuries, safety Derwin James Jr. is finally back for the Bolts in 2021 as one of the leaders of a strong secondary, which also features Chris Harris Jr., Nasir Adderley, and Michael Davis. This is a huge boost for the Bolts in a division with some solid quarterback play, and they’ll need every ounce of production from that group this season. In addition, pass rusher Joey Bosa remains the best overall player on this defense with his game-wrecking abilities on display every week, but the Bolts hope to find some similar sack production from players such as Drue Tranquill and Justin Jones. Meanwhile, after a very solid rookie season a year ago, linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. will be at the heart of this defense again in 2021, and it would not be a shock to see him near the top of the league in tackles as one of the middle men of this 3-4 defense. While the Chargers may not have quite as many names on defense as other teams in the AFC, they appear to be a capable unit that can go head-to-head with some top offense in the AFC. It’s a tall task to face in a conference filled with spectacular quarterbacks, but if the Chargers want to be a playoff team in the second year of Herbert’s young career, they need all hands on deck on both sides of the ball in what could be a very exciting year in Los Angeles for the Bolts.

Record: 9-8

Biggest Story to Watch: Can this team avoid the always-present injury bug?

Offensive MVP: Herbert

Defensive MVP: Bosa

3. Denver Broncos

Few defenses figure to be as well-rounded than the Broncos, especially with so many weapons in the secondary (via Mile High Report).

Outside of New York and Jacksonville, there may not have been a team that was more of a disaster over the course of the 2020 season than the Denver Broncos. With injuries galore and a lack of energy on offense all year long, Denver was slow out of the gate and finished dead last in the AFC West. But after a huge offseason that has inspired a fan base that has lacked relevancy in the past few years, the Broncos could be one of the surprise teams of 2021 if they can stay healthy and find some production in the passing game on offense.

Amid an intense training camp battle between Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater for the starting quarterback nod, Broncos’ fans found hope in some early success on offense in each of their three preseason games. That hope now turns toward the regular season, where Bridgewater will suit up as the Denver starter and hope to take this team back to the playoffs for the first time in five seasons. Lucky for them, Denver’s offense has some very nice young pieces. With youngsters Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler set to return with versatile tight end Noah Fant, the Broncos have some key weapons on the outside. Yet the return of wide receiver Courtland Sutton may be the biggest difference for this offense in 2021, as he once again will provide a physical threat by the numbers for the passing offense. However, the Broncos’ running game could easily be the focus early in the season. With Melvin Gordon and rookie Javonte Williams heading the backfield for the three-time Super Bowl champions, the Broncos should have a strong rushing attack behind an offensive line that took some steps forward in 2020 with the play of Garett Boles and Dalton Risner. This offense certainly has a fair amount of boom-or-bust potential entering the season, and if all goes well in the Mile High City, this could be a career year for Bridgewater with such a dynamic group around him.

Despite some uncertainty on offense, Vic Fangio’s squad has a real chance of being one of the best defenses in all of football this season. Since their Super Bowl winning season of 2015, Denver has faced some down years on the defensive side of the ball, which has to have played a role in their free agency push this offseason. To add to the outstanding safety combo of Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson, Denver went out and signed two very solid cornerbacks in Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller, who form an outstanding defensive trio alongside 2021 standout Bryce Callahan. The Broncos also opted to select cornerback Pat Surtain II with their first-round pick, and after he has impressed in camp, the team figures to have as close to a lockdown secondary as it gets in the league. Yet the heart and soul of this team still remains future Hall of Famer Von Miller, who returns this season after missing the entire regular season in 2020. Miller and elite pass rusher Bradley Chubb form a lethal combination of their own when healthy, and with Shelby Harris set to return with Dre’Mont Jones and Mike Purcell, the Broncos may also have one of the best defensive lines in the league. Questions do remain at linebacker in the form of Josey Jewell and Alexander Johnson, but this defense looks like a prime candidate to take a gigantic leap in 2021. The Broncos’ entire season may hinge on the play of Bridgewater with just how good this defense may be, which turns the focus toward winning some key AFC West games. It is a lot to ask with Mahomes and Herbert at the top of the division, but the Broncos could be in the hunt for a playoff spot late into the season.

Record: 8-9

Biggest Story to Watch: Can Denver finally get some consistent quarterback play?

Offensive MVP: Sutton

Defensive MVP: Simmons

4. Las Vegas Raiders

After posting some very solid numbers in the 2020 season, quarterback Derek Carr hopes to take the Raiders back to the playoffs this season (via Sharp Football Analytics).

As summer turns to fall, the autumn wind blows a new sense of hope across the NFL. And while that cool breeze may not be in Oakland any longer, there seems to be a strong sense that the Las Vegas Raiders will bring plenty of fireworks to the Sin City, for better or for worse. It’s the first official year of the Black Hole heading to Vegas, and the AFC West

Jon Gruden’s Raiders are always one of the most unpredictable teams in the NFL, and the same applies to this season after a questionable offseason. The main reason for the Raiders’ concerns on offense? A revamped offensive line that lost some key building blocks from the past few years. However, some of those top names were aging and taking up space in their salary cap, which means that players like Kolton Miller, Richie Incognito, and Alex Leatherwood will have to keep quarterback Derek Carr upright all season long. And speaking of Carr, it has always been somewhat laughable that so many outlets have painted the Raiders’ starter as the primary reason for the team’s struggles in the past decade, but after a very solid 2020 season, it seems that the former Fresno State signal caller might be due for the best statistical season of his career this year. It helps that Carr will have a very solid running back duo next to him with young star Josh Jacobs and versatile back Kenyan Drake, but it appears he even may have some decent receiving weapons after great camps from Bryan Edwards, Hunter Renfrow, and Henry Ruggs III. But the biggest threat on this offense remains tight end Darren Waller, who is easily one of the top three players at his position in the league. With the Carr and Waller connection seemingly getting better every year, Gruden’s offensive group could see even better numbers this season. That will keep them in enough games right there, and the Raiders should certainly be a top-ten offense in 2021.

It is hard to say the same thing for the Vegas defense. Few defenses have been as terrible as the Raiders in the past five years, and that basically hit an all-time low last year when they finished 30th in scoring on defense. In a division with some great offensive talent, that has to be fixed in 2021 if the Raiders want to sniff the playoffs. If the Raiders can hang their hats on one thing this season, it is that their secondary should at least be somewhat improved. With a fairly decent cornerback duo of Trayvon Mullen Jr. and Casey Hayward Jr., Las Vegas has some decent players to match up with the likes of Tyreek Hill and Keenan Allen in the division. However, after some truly reckless play from their starting strong safety Johnathan Abram in 2020, Vegas went out and selected promising young free safety Tre’von Moehrig, who will bring some versatility to this group. The Raiders also have Denzel Perryman, Cory Littleton, and Nicholas Morrow at the linebacker level, and they’ll be counted on to improve on a rushing defense that allowed around 125 yards per game last year. However, the Raiders’ pass rush might be the biggest “strength” of this defense. With players such as Maxx Crosby, Yannick Ngakoue, Clelin Ferrell, and Quinton Jefferson on the defensive line, the silver and black should be able to apply some decent pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season. The Raiders are a strange team that are polar opposites on both sides of the ball; creative and improving on offense, but creaky and thin on defense. They’ll need much more consistency on defense to have playoff hopes this season, and while they’re capable of playing some decent football against solid opponents, it is hard to say a positive record looks like it is on the horizon this season.

Record: 7-10

Biggest Story to Watch: Can this defense stop any offense this season?

Offensive MVP: Carr

Defensive MVP: Ngakoue

AFC East

1.Buffalo Bills

After displaying some lethal capabilities in 2020, the Bills are hoping from continued greatness from Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs (via Syracuse.com).

Buffalo has largely been viewed as a primarily defensive team in recent memory, but the narrative was flipped last year after their offense reached some incredible highs. But with their status raised among the NFL’s elite teams, will the Bills be able to get back to the Super Bowl for the first time in over two decades, or will they fold to increased expectations?

2020 was an incredible year for Buffalo, but Bills Mafia is hoping that the 2021 season ends with a Lombardi Trophy. The main reason? The Bills finally have their franchise quarterback with Josh Allen, who is coming off a season for the ages that has elevated him near the top of the list of the game’s best quarterbacks. Allen’s versatile skillset was on full display last year, but what was the difference maker for him from 2019 to 2020? A lot of credit has to go toward wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who was dominant all year long as one of the best pass catchers in football. Coming off his career best year, Diggs now forms an excellent receiving core featuring Emmanuel Sanders, Gabriel Davis, and Cole Beasley, three other excellent playmakers who help to make this passing game so dynamic. Behind a very solid offensive line featuring names like Dion Dawkins, Cody Ford, and Mitch Morse, Buffalo also has a very nice group up front that can dominate opposing defenses at the point of attack. If there is one concern for this group, however, it is the lack of a dominant running back. Devin Singletary, Zach Moss, and Matt Breida will all see time as the primary runner, but the Bills need to find some true balance on offense so they do not become a one-dimensional attack. Expect even bigger things from Allen and the Bills’ offense in 2021, especially with a full offseason that gave this already-great group even more time to gel.

Even though the Bills were a great team last season, they actually did face some significant concerns on defense. A mainstay of top ten defenses in the past decade, head coach Sean McDermott hopes to get this group back on track this season in a hurry. They certainly have the pieces, as led by a very good secondary led by former All-Pro cornerback, Tre’Davious White. The star corner headlines a very nice group featuring Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, and Levi Wallace, and they’ll need to give everything they have in order to avoid getting in all-too-familiar shootouts with some very good offenses in the AFC. The Bills also have a fairly reliable group at the linebacker level, with the trio of A.J. Klein, Tremaine Edmunds, and Matt Milano coming off nice seasons from a year ago. Yet Buffalo’s biggest concern has to be an aging defensive line that started to show some cracks last season. All of the usual suspects remain for the Bills, with Jerry Hughes, Ed Oliver, and Mario Addison helping to lead the way. But can they get even more pressure on quarterbacks this season? They’ll need to if they want to beat teams featuring Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson, which could be a key to their Super Bowl chances. The AFC East is certainly improved this season, but the Bills are in the driver’s seat to be one of the premier teams in all of football. This could mean Super Bowl glory could be within close distance, but it will take all hands on deck for this group to come out as champions this season.

Record: 14-3

Biggest Story to Watch: Can Allen replicate his MVP-type numbers from 2020?

Offensive MVP: Allen

Defensive MVP: White

2. New England Patriots

Rookie Mac Jones takes over in New England as the starter at quarterback in what should be a fascinating 2021 season (via Chowder and Champions).

The Patriots may have had the most eventful offseason of any team in the AFC, signing plenty of free agents and drafting a potential franchise quarterback to have in the building for years to come. But will these moves pay off and end with the Patriots in the middle of the Super Bowl conversation, or will the Patriots continue to show signs of decline since the departure of Tom Brady?

There have been few cuts more shocking in recent years than what the Patriots did earlier in the week by cutting Cam Newton, which not only blindsided fans, but has thrown rookie Mac Jones into the spotlight as the new starter in New England. Yet the bright lights are not anything new for the former Alabama superstar quarterback, who has looked great throughout camp and will now get his own chance to succeed at the highest level. Luckily, Jones has some real help on offense. Running back Damien Harris looks destined for a breakout year as the lead back in New England, while veteran scat back James White still remains a major piece on this offense. In addition, both of those running backs will be playing behind one of the best offensive lines that head coach Bill Belichick has had in years. With names like David Andrews, Trent Brown, and Shaq Mason, the Patriots will make a real case for being one of the best offensive lines in football as long as they can stay healthy. In addition, after an eventful free agency period that saw the Patriots sign two solid tight ends with Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, the Patriots will likely bring back their popularized two tight end offense that slaughtered opposing defenses in the early 2010s. This is key with a relatively weak wide receiving group featuring names like Jakobi Meyers and Nelson Agholor, and it will be interesting to see how this core group of pass catchers mixes with Jones early on in the season. This Patriots’ offense looks miles better than they were a season ago, and it will be interesting to see just how well Jones fits in.

Few things are as consistent as the Patriots’ defense in the NFL as led by Belichick, which once again appears to be in line for another terrific season. However, after landing on the PUP list to begin the season, the Patriots look like they won’t have one of their best players in Stephon Gilmore for the first six weeks of the year. It’s not a great sign for the Pats after an offseason that was filled with a contract dispute and a recovery from a torn quad, but the Patriots will turn toward their reliable group of defensive backs in the meantime. Outside of Gilmore, their secondary is still run by rising stud J.C. Jackson and savvy veteran Devin McCourty, who will help lead some other reliable players such as Jalen Mills, Kyle Duggar, and Adrian Phillips. In addition, the Patriots brought back former friend Kyle Van Noy to pair back up with linebacker Dont’a Hightower, who help to bring a physical identity to this squad. However, the Patriots’ biggest challenge may be sorting out a clunky pass rush. In a conference with some outstanding signal callers, getting after the pass is as important as ever, which puts pressure on a defensive line group featuring Matthew Judon, Henry Anderson, Lawrence Guy, and Deatrich Wise Jr. As it always seems to be in New England, the defense looks like a lock to be a top-ten group. But will that same apply to the offense? The Patriots may only need Mac Jones to just limit his mistakes if they want to be a playoff team this year with such an improved roster, and it would not be a surprise to see this team sneak into the playoffs. Whether a Super Bowl appearance is within reach is a different story, but make sure to not sleep on Belichick and company in the AFC playoff picture this season.

Record: 10-7

Biggest Story to Watch: Will Jones be enough to lead this team back to the postseason?

Offensive MVP: Harris

Defensive MVP: McCourty

3. Miami Dolphins

Entering 2021, Miami has some elevated expectations coming off the success in the 2020 season (via The Phinsider).

Despite some notable injuries and a quarterback controversy that lasted almost all season long, the Dolphins were almost able to sneak into the AFC playoff picture at the last second in 2020. That improvement has given hope to Miami fans that a playoff berth should be in the works this season, but is the optimism misplaced right now in such a loaded AFC East?

The Dolphins’ #1 goal in 2021: finding out whether or not quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is the answer at the position in the short-term and long-term. With some trade chatter surrounding the former Alabama star and the currently-disgraced Deshaun Watson over in Houston, it appears that Miami is on pins and needles in their pursuit of figuring out whether or not Tagovailoa is their guy moving forward. Of course, his on-the-field play could change things quickly, especially with such a nice receiving core around him. DeVante Parker, Will Fuller V, Albert Wilson, and rookie stud Jaylen Waddle look like they’ll surround their quarterback with some real talent in the 2021 season, while tight end Mike Gesicki might be one of the more underrated players at the position in the game. Meanwhile, after a great finish to the 2021 season, running back Myles Gaskin returns as the lead runner this season. Gaskin was a dominant force in the second half of last year’s schedule, but his biggest problem this season could be playing behind a suspect offensive line that remains questionable from week-to-week. With little-known names such as Austin Jackson, Jesse Davis, and Michael Deiter leading the way for Miami, things could get ugly quickly for this offense if they can’t block up front. There is a lot of potential among this group, but it seems like they’ll have to prove themselves first in order to build any sort of faith among league circles.

Defensive-minded head coach Brian Flores has proven to be a very solid leader during his tenure in Miami so far, but the 2021 season will be his biggest challenge yet. First, the Dolphins will have to prove their defensive success from a year ago wasn’t a fluke. We know that arguably the game’s best cornerback in Xavien Howard and the rest of a loaded secondary featuring Byron Jones and Jason McCourty will be ready to play each and every week, but what about their front seven? Linebacker seems to be a real concern for Miami this season, where they will be turning toward Jerome Baker and Brennan Scarlett in the middle even though their production in the past has been fairly decent. Elsewhere, the Dolphins’ pass rush will rely on Elandon Roberts and Andrew Van Ginkel for some significant production, while members of the defensive line such as Raekwon Davis, Emmanuel Ogbah, and Christian Wilkins will be useful cogs against the run and in getting after opposing signal callers. If there was one team we would bet on to fail to meet expectations this season, it would be these Dolphins. For as long as questions remain about the offensive line and the play of Tagovailoa, it is very hard to trust this team moving forward, especially when you compare them to the teams in their own division. We could be wrong about this and the Dolphins could emerge as a contender, but a “wait and see” approach seems to be in the makings for this squad.

Record: 7-10

Biggest Story to Watch: Was their 2020 success a fluke?

Offensive MVP: Gaskin

Defensive MVP: Howard

4. New York Jets

Zach Wilson’s Broadway debut should be very fun to watch, even if it means the Jets have to push through some early struggles (via New York Jets).

After so much disorder surrounded the New York Jets in 2020, the organization was forced to drastically shift their prior way of thinking and turn toward a new direction. Well, after an offseason that completely revamped the “power” roles in New York, the Jets enter an uncertain season that will surely have fans on the edge of their seat with each passing game… for better or for worse.

After attempting to salvage the Sam Darnold project for far too long in New York, the Jets finally decided to find a new option at the quarterback position in the offseason. Enter rookie quarterback, Zach Wilson. The former BYU star quarterback has looked very solid throughout camp and into the preseason, and although many have doubts about his potential after some signs in the pre-draft process, general manager Joe Douglas did a nice job of getting his new quarterback some help on offense to ensure some early success. This starts with the Jets’ wide receiver room, which actually may be one of the most underrated skill position groups on offense in football. Free agent acquisition Corey Davis headlines the group, and after a nice year with the Titans in 2020, he could be due for a 1000 yard season as Wilson’s top pass catcher. Elsewhere, the Jets have some nice pieces that should have immediate roles in the passing game such as Jamison Crowder, Denzel Mims, Braxton Berrios, Keelan Cole, and rookie Elijah Moore. This group helps make up for a questionable running back group with names like Tevin Coleman, Michael Carter, and Ty Johnson, who look like they will each share a bulk of the carries to start the year. Luckily, although they still are not a great group, the Jets’ offensive line showed some promise last season. With strong blockers such as Connor McGovern and Mekhi Becton, the Jets’ offense should be able to generate some big yardage plays down the field with a gunslinger like Wilson at the helm. The 2021 Jets’ offense will not be great by any means and Wilson will likely have quite a few turnovers, but this season is all about growth. If this offense can at least compete in games with some timely plays late in contests, this season may be a resounding success for New York fans.

After putting together some awesome defenses during his tenure in San Francisco, new Jets’ head coach Robert Saleh looks to bring a new energy to the Big Apple. Luckily for him, the Jets have some potential pieces in place that could actually make this unit relatively effective. It is strange to start with a guy who really has not even played in two years, but four-time Pro Bowl linebacker C.J. Mosley returns this season to give New York some help in the middle. Mosley is a top linebacker when healthy, and with Hamsah Nasirildeen and Jamien Sherwood playing alongside him, the Jets should at least be decent against the run this season. It also helps when you have a game-wrecker on the defensive line like Quinnen Williams, who headlines a pretty solid defensive line heading into the new year. While Williams will be the focus for opposing offenses, look for players such as Sheldon Rankins, Bryce Huff, and Shaq Lawson to make an impact on the field. However, the most interesting group on defense to watch this season is the Jets’ secondary. The back end does deploy a very solid safety duo with Marcus Maye and Lamarcus Joyner, but the Jets will be turning toward a makeshift cornerback room that could be a revolving door week in and week out. Nevertheless, the Jets do look like a team that will take a step forward this season after the atrocities of last season. That doesn’t mean this squad is anywhere close to a playoff team in such a loaded AFC East, but Jets’ fans must have a newfound sense of hope with Wilson and Saleh in charge. It may be ugly at points this year, but look for the Jets to show signs of life throughout 2021.

Record: 6-11

Biggest Story to Watch: Can Wilson prove that he is the man moving forward?

Offensive MVP: Davis

Defensive MVP: Williams

AFC South

1.Tennessee Titans

There may not be a more fearsome player in the NFL than Derrick Henry, who has certainly had his case as one of the best running backs in modern history (via Titan Sized).

The Titans have been on the edge of the Super Bowl bubble for two years now, but they have not been quite good enough to realistically contend for a championship. That appears to be changing very quickly with some major roster improvements in the offseason, which appears to have given the Titans as good of a chance as any team in the AFC if they can stay healthy.

Get ready for some fireworks in Tennessee with the power of this offense. Led by head coach Mike Vrabel, the Titans are coming off a big offseason that saw them add one of the best receivers of the modern era to an offense that was already more than competent. Yet Julio Jones will not have to carry this team very much throughout the season, especially with another star receiver playing right next to him with AJ Brown. Both Brown and Jones form one of the best receiving duos in the entire sport, making life easy for quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who could easily be due for the best season of his still-promising career. With a very solid offensive line featuring studs like Taylor Lewan, Rodger Saffold III, and Ben Jones, the Titans will be lethal in pushing the ball down the field and in generating big plays with Tannehill having time to throw. However, it would be a mistake to say that anyone other than running back Derrick Henry is the most important player on this team. Henry is a workhorse who punishes those who dare come into his path, and for as long as the Titans have the resources to open up some lanes for him, he will easily remain one of the best players in the entire sport. The Titans have been good on offense in recent years, but with even more weapons on offense this year, this group could easily be one of the three best in the NFL.

Things are not quite so promising on defense. The Titans were surely one of the worst defenses in all of football last season, and even though they added some pieces, they may find it hard to step up as one of the better units in the conference. However, the addition of free agent pass rusher Bud Dupree was a very underrated move after posting some very nice season in Pittsburgh, who will help to get after opposing passers with other rushers such as Harold Landry III. This duo helps form a decent front seven headlined by star defensive end Jeffery Simmons, who is a true game-wrecker on the defensive line. In addition, the Titans will turn toward a decent inside linebacking duo of Rashaan Evans and Jayon Brown, who will be a huge part of this defense against the run and in stopping the short-passing attacks found in the division. Tennessee’s biggest concern may be their current secondary despite the presence of star safety Kevin Byard, where they’ll turn to a messy defensive back group featuring names like “The Jackrabbit” Janoris Jenkins, Amani Hooker, and Kristian Fulton. The Titans’ defense may struggle early and often this season, but with such an explosive offense right next to them, their defense just has to be able to at least minimize the damage. While they will need that group to step up in a big way if they want to reach their dreams of a Super Bowl berth, the Titans’ current roster looks like a lock for first-place in the AFC South yet again and could be a top team in the conference.

Record: 12-5

Biggest Story to Watch: How much better can this passing game get with the addition of Jones?

Offensive MVP: Henry

Defensive MVP: Simmons

2. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts’ defense was superb in 2020, but can they replicate those same numbers this season? (via USA Today).

The Colts, like the rival Titans, were just short of being an impact Super Bowl contender in 2020 despite some clear improvements on both sides of the ball. But with a new quarterback in town and some lost pieces on defense, does Indy have enough to take another step forward in such a crowded playoff race in the AFC?

With injuries and COVID-19 concerns galore, the Colts had a very tough month in August. However, now that things have been pushed to the side a bit and their offense looks a little more healthy, the Colts look ready to roll for Week 1. That’s a huge thing for newly-acquired quarterback Carson Wentz, who finds himself in a new home in Indianapolis under head coach Frank Reich after a disastrous final season in Philadelphia. Wentz may have to work with a revolving supporting cast at wide receiver with T.Y. Hilton out indefinitely with a neck injury, but expect young options such as Michael Pittman Jr., Parris Campbell, and Zach Pascal to have some prominent roles in the passing game alongside tight end Jack Doyle. Luckily, the heart and soul of the Colts’ offense should not have to rely on their passing game as much as their wipeout rushing attack behind a dominant offensive line. Although Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines will see touches as well, running back Jonathan Taylor will be Indy’s primary weapon on offense after a sensational rookie season. Behind a dominant offensive line featuring big name talents such as Quenton Nelson and Ryan Kelly, the Colts could easily finish the year with the top rushing attack in football if they can stay healthy. The Colts’ offense may sputter a little bit out of the gates, but expect this unit to get better and better as we get deeper into 2021.

Despite a bit of a circus start on offense, the Colts’ defense should be counted on for some very solid production in 2021. Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus has proven to be able to put together some excellent defenses in the past few seasons, and expect much of the same this year. Starting with the Colts’ defensive line, Indy has several big name players who will once again be part of this solid unit. DeForest Buckner is obviously the headliner among the group, but other players such as Kwity Paye and Grover Stewart help to clog lanes and help stop the run for a group that ranked 2nd in rushing defense in 2020. However, the Colts’ second level is the true strength of this defense. Linebacker Darius Leonard could easily be considered one of the best defensive players in football, and although he is a pure tackling machine, he’ll be aided by Zaire Franklin and Bobby Okereke in this 4-3 attack. Nevertheless, the Colts do have real concerns in the secondary, even though they were able to generate a ton of turnovers last season. Eberflus will call upon a group with names such as Kenny Moore II, Xavier Rhodes, Julian Blackmon, and Khari Willis to stop the heavy passing attacks found throughout the conference, but if this group wants to be even close to a contender this year, they must improve from their 20th ranked unit against the pass from last year. With Philip Rivers in retirement and being flipped for Carson Wentz, the Colts have some worries that they could be taking a step in the wrong direction this year. They have some nice players across this roster, but it may be as difficult as ever for a playoff spot in the conference.

Record: 9-8

Biggest Story to Watch: Is Wentz the answer at quarterback?

Offensive MVP: Taylor

Defensive MVP: Leonard

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

It may not always be easy for Trevor Lawrence in Year 1, but his progression over the course of the season will be fun to watch (via Bleacher Report).

The Jaguars were flat out terrible in 2020, but with a complete renovation of the organization in the past several months, things are all new in Jacksonville. The win-loss record may not be pretty by any means this season for the Jaguars, but with some young players who could make an impact right away, the pieces are starting to be put in place to make the Jaguars a contending team in future seasons.

Now that head coach Urban Meyer has finally made his transition to the NFL, his first year in Jacksonville is sure to be filled with plenty of intrigue. And the top reason why? The debut season of quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who enters the NFL as one of the most polished college signal callers of all-time. However, Lawrence does find himself entering a bit of a messy situation with the Jaguars, especially with a very weak offensive line in front of him that ranks among the NFL’s worst. However, even though they already lost running back Travis Etienne to a season-ending injury, the Jaguars will at least bring back 2020 standout running back James Robinson to bring some power to this offense. Robinson will likely see plenty of carries himself with additional help from Carlos Hyde, while Lawrence’s passing targets will be a decent mix of DJ Chark Jr., Marvin Jones Jr., and Laviska Shenault Jr. But for as much early doubt has surrounded this team throughout camp, there is plenty of hope that Lawrence emerges as a true superstar from the get-go. That alone would make this season a resounding success for the Jags, and even though things may be troubling early on, look for this team to be much better later in the year.

While things may be a little more bright on offense for the Jaguars, the defense looks like a bottom five unit in the league entering the new year. Jacksonville was the 31st ranked scoring team in football last year on defense, and without a ton of change on that end in the offseason, it is hard to imagine a ton of change on the horizon. However, the Jaguars do have some decent players that could put together strong individual seasons. This starts with pass rusher Josh Allen, who helps lead the charge at the linebacker level for the Jaguars. This defense also boosts a decent linebacker level featuring Myles Jack and K'Lavon Chaisson, who should at least garner plenty of tackles together this season. This should help cover up some issues on the defensive line without a ton of dominance outside of Malcom Brown, where players such as Roy Robertson-Harris and DaVon Hamilton figure to play important roles. In the secondary, the Jaguars may at least be a little better against the pass than against the run. CJ Henderson and Shaquil Griffin actually form a very solid cornerback duo that could cause some trouble for opposing offenses, while safeties Rudy Ford and Rayshawn Jenkins remain much bigger question marks. The Jacksonville defense will not be a solid unit by any means this year, but the focus for Jags’ fans has to be finding some young players who can be in the organization for years to come. This begins and ends with Lawrence, and it will be very interesting to see how he responds to early adversity despite some tough, early losses likely on the way for the first time in his football career.

Record: 4-13

Biggest Story to Watch: Will Meyer’s coaching work at the NFL level?

Offensive MVP: Lawrence

Defensive MVP: Allen

4. Houston Texans

Brandin Cooks may be the standout on offense, but wins may be very few and far between for the Texans (via Toro Times).

If you’re looking for a team that has a real chance at being winless in 2021, look no further than Houston. After a complete trainwreck of an offseason over in Texas, things are looking very grim for the Texans entering what could be a very embarrassing 2021 season.

Can the Texans have any success on offense in 2021? This group was not amazing by any means a season ago, but with Deshaun Watson now unlikely to play this season for his own reasons, the Texans are forced to turn toward some other options. Veteran signal caller Tyrod Taylor will likely suit up as the starter to open the season, but do not be surprised at all if rookie Davis Mills sees some action at some point this season if there is no chance of Watson coming back. In addition, the Texans’ suddenly have a thin wide receiving core as well. Brandin Cooks is surely the best offensive weapon among this group, but the Texans will likely also turn toward players such as Chris Conley and Anthony Miller as well. Houston’s best chance on offense may come in their rushing attack this season, where they do boast a relatively solid trio of Mark Ingram II, David Johnson, and Phillip Lindsay. That group will likely split carries over the course of the year, and even though they are playing behind a very weak offensive line only featuring one standout player in left tackle Laremy Tunsil, they at least pack a punch on the ground. This offense could easily be the worst attack in the league if Watson doesn’t take a snap this season, which means this year should be all about development of young players who could be a part of this group moving forward.

Things do not really look any better for new head coach David Culley on defense either. The Texans were the single worst team in football on defense against the run last season, which spells some serious concern for them again in a division with some top tier rushing attacks. So how does Houston attempt to combat this lingering issue? For one, the Texans are not absolutely terrible at the linebacker level this season, as they’ll have a trio of Zach Cunningham, Kevin Pierre-Louis, and Christian Kirksey roaming the field on Sundays. This group will attempt to compliment a weak defensive line that still at least features Whitney Mercilus, although Houston will look for some production from players such as Maliek Collins, Vincent Taylor, and Jordan Jenkins. If the Texans have any sort of hope on defense, they can at least turn toward a secondary that has shown some kind of promise. Safety Justin Reid is surely the standout player among the secondary, although the Texans may find some decent production from players such as cornerback Desmond King II and safety Eric Murray. It is not only the fact that the AFC looks even better this year that brings some serious trouble for the Texans’ chances this season; it is the notion that this could easily be the worst roster in the NFL. Houston will have a chance in Week 1 to capture a win, but outside of an early season surprise, this appears to be one of the worst teams in recent NFL history on paper.

Record: 0-17

Biggest Story to Watch: What happens with Watson?

Offensive MVP: Cooks

Defensive MVP: Reid

AFC North

1.Cleveland Browns

Behind a punishing offensive line, running back Nick Chubb could contend for the rushing crown in 2021 (via Forbes).

Typically the laughingstock of the league, the Browns finally turned their fortunes around last year with one of the best seasons in franchise history. In slaying their longtime divisional rival in the playoffs and finding a core group of stars on offense, the Browns finally have some clear direction moving forward. Can they leapfrog some of their other formidable foes in the AFC this year, or will the Browns severely regress following all sorts of hype?

The Browns look like a Super Bowl contender entering the 2021 season, and while their defense figures to be a big part of that, a lethal offense without really any clear holes is the main reason why they’ll be in the hunt in the AFC. Unlike many teams, however, this offense doesn’t really begin and end with their quarterback play. Sure, Baker Mayfield put together a very strong 2020 season under head coach Kevin Stefanski, but Cleveland’s offensive identity is built on running the ball behind maybe the best offensive line in the sport. Big name lineman such as Jack Conklin, JC Tretter, and Joel Bitonio create massive holes in the run game while also contributing as road blocks in the passing game, and there is no doubt they are one of the most fearsome groups in the league. While running back Kareem Hunt gets plenty of touches out of the backfield, the focal point of the offense is still running back Nick Chubb. When healthy, Chubb may be one of the best runners in the entire sport, and his slippery maneuvers through some tight running lanes makes him one of the toughest players to tackle in the game. Meanwhile, the Browns still have some great pass catchers on the outside to really add to an elite play-action passing game. Odell Beckham Jr. will return this season in full health, and with a nice group around him featuring the always-steady Jarvis Landry and reliable tight end Austin Hooper, the Browns have surrounded Mayfield with some key talent. It is hard to say how teams can actually say they have a chance at being the best offense in the league, but the Browns have a case. Expect huge numbers from this deadly batch of stars.

But if the Browns want any chance of reaching the Super Bowl in 2021, they’ll need their defense to step up in a big way. Luckily for fans of the Dawg Pound, things look promising. It helps when one of the best defensive players in all of football plays for the Browns with pass rusher Myles Garrett, but Cleveland looks to be a much more complete group this year. This starts on the defensive line alongside Garrett, where veterans Malik Jackson and Jadeveon Clowney will hope to create some pressure on opposing signal callers. With those names up front stirring up some chaos for opposing offensive lines, the Browns hope to find some ball hawks in the secondary who can get the ball back into the hands of their offense. Cleveland has a ton of depth in the secondary this season, especially at the cornerback position with players like Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams, Greg Newsome II, and Troy Hill. In addition, three terrific safeties in Grant Delpit, Ronnie Harrison Jr., and John Johnson III figure to play a key role on this defense, which hopes to improve on their 22nd ranked passing defense from 2020. The Browns do have a bit of concern in terms of depth at the linebacker level, which means that players such as Sione Takitaki, Mack Wilson, and Anthony Walker will be called upon to contribute. This defense, at the very least, looks improved from their 21st ranked scoring group from a year ago, which could be very bad news for the rest of the AFC North. Cleveland looks explosive on both sides of the ball, and while there is always some doubt surrounding the often-cursed Browns, this looks like a team that is ready to compete for a championship.

Record: 13-4

Biggest Story to Watch: Can this defense take another step forward this season?

Offensive MVP: Chubb

Defensive MVP: Garrett

2. Baltimore Ravens

In one of the best divisions in football last season, Baltimore fell a little bit short of expectations despite capturing a playoff win over Tennessee in the first round. Now, in the third full season of their electric young quarterback’s career, the Ravens are looking to once again get back to the top of the AFC North and compete for another Lombardi Trophy to add to their already-illustrious case.

The Ravens are Lamar Jackson’s team. Anything and everything runs through one of the most dynamic players in all of football, including a passing game that could take a step forward this season and a usually-robust rushing attack. However, the recent injury that will sideline running back JK Dobbins for the season may not be getting enough attention. For a team that is built on its running game, losing their top running back forces the Ravens to react on the fly and rely on contributions from a suddenly-thin group featuring Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, and Ty’Son Williams. Throw in the fact that the Ravens’ offensive line already showed some serious signs of decline last season and then traded away a building block on the edge in the offseason, and things suddenly seem grim for what figured to be a lethal running game. However, it’s not all bad for the Ravens. Luckily, the offensive line still has star tackle Ronnie Stanley to protect Jackson’s blindside, while they’ll have players like Ben Powers, Kevin Zeitler, and Alejandro Villanueva ready to block up front. That is key in a division with some spectacular pass rushers, and it will be a huge sign early in the season if they are able to replicate their offensive numbers from last year. Where the Ravens look like they’ll be much better this season is in the passing game, especially after an offseason that focused on adding some key talent for Jackson. Baltimore already has two nice pieces with tight end Mark Andrews and speedy wide receiver Marquise Brown, but the team also went out and selected Rashod Bateman and signed Sammy Watkins to a short-term deal. Both of these players will open up the passing attack for Jackson, and it would not be a surprise to see him post the most passing yards of his career so far. There’s a lot of questions for this offense in 2021, but it should be thrilling to see how Jackson and company handle the adversity.

There is a lot less doubt for the Ravens on defense. Always one of the best groups on that side of the ball year in and year out, Baltimore looks like a team that will once again boast a top-five unit. Starting with one of the best secondaries in football, the Ravens have a strong group that will cause mayhem for opposing passers. The headliner is perennial Pro Bowl cornerback Marlon Humphrey, but other strong contributors such as Marcus Peters, Chuck Clark, Jimmy Smith, and DeShon Elliott help to form one of the best, and maybe even one of the deepest, defensive back groups in all of football. This blends well with a nice group of linebackers in front of them, which could see big years from players such as Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison. However, as it has seemed to be in the past several seasons, the pass rush will be the biggest question for this group. The Ravens were smart to bring in veteran Justin Houston to add to the group, but the defense will likely turn toward a mix of young and veteran players such as Derek Wolfe, Calais Campbell, and Tyus Bower to help generate sacks. The Ravens’ defense figures to once again rank near the top of the league against the run and against the pass, but will they be able to cover up some offensive concerns that could really hurt their playoff chances in 2021? Head coach John Harbaugh has a lot on his hands this season, and it will be very interesting to see how he guides this promising team throughout the year.

Record: 10-7

Biggest Story to Watch: How much will this offense miss Dobbins?

Offensive MVP: Jackson

Defensive MVP: Humphrey

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

It’s hard to upstage your future Hall of Fame brother, but TJ Watt was able to do exactly that after a ridiculous 2020 season (via Behind the Steel Curtain).

Pittsburgh is easily the most consistent team in the history of the NFL, which is why so much uncertainty surrounded the organization after a mysterious offseason that seemed to answer very few questions. Yet the Steelers once again enter the new season with Super Bowl expectations, and while there may be some better rosters throughout the AFC, few teams are as experienced in big moments than this polished group in the Steel City.

The Steelers were red-hot to open the 2020 season, but completely faded away as the season came to a smashing end in the Wild Card Round against the Browns. If Pittsburgh wants to fix that problem and fend up any doubters, it begins with the play of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers legend was very steady for most of the season, but really had a complete drop-off at the end of the season that had many people doubting the quarterback’s commitment, drive, and physical shape at this point in his career. Big Ben has reportedly responded with a great offseason, and he’ll need to be great if the Steelers have any sort of chance at a Super Bowl. Luckily, the organization went out and gave his offense a great young piece with running back Najee Harris. The former Alabama star is a spark out of the backfield and could be a 1000 yard rusher right away, but doubts about their offensive line remain. The Steelers will turn toward a questionable group of offensive linemen such as Trai Turner, Kevin Dotson, and Joe Haeg, but if this unit struggles early and often, expect a surplus of criticism. Until then, in addition to a running game led by Harris, the Steelers will rely on a short-passing game to get the ball into their hands of their playmakers. The wide receiving trio of JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chase Claypool, and Diontae Johnson has potential to excel with Big Ben at the helm, but doubts remain about each player and some of their noticeable flaws. The Steelers have some real challenges ahead of them on offense this season, and if this is truly the last ride for Roethlisberger, it will be fascinating to see how he leaves his final mark in front of the Steeler Faithful.

Like the rival Ravens, for all of the doubts that this team has on offense, the Steelers figure to be one of the best teams on the defensive side in all of football. The Steelers seem to always have it all on defense, but they really have one of the game’s best overall players right now with TJ Watt. The dynamic pass rusher is truly a dominant player on the edge, and while Aaron Donald may still have the title as the game’s best defensive player, Watt is closing the gap very quickly. On the defensive line, Watt will once again be joined by players such as Cameron Heyward, Tyson Alualu, and Chris Wormley, who create a solid group on the defensive line, but may be impacted by the loss of Bud Dupree. At the linebacker level, Devin Bush and Joe Schobert form a nice duo that should rack up plenty of tackles, which will be a huge focus in a division with some great rushing attacks. Lastly, the Steelers once again deploy a solid secondary that should rank near the top of the league. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is certainly the highlight of this sensational group with his knack for hunting down the ball, but Pittsburgh has some nice defensive back pieces such as Cameron Sutton, Joe Haden, and Terrell Edmunds to help round out the defense. About a month ago, we had even more doubts surrounding the Steelers and their playoff chances in such a loaded conference. But with things starting to calm down in the building and one of the game’s best coaches in Mike Tomlin still running the show, the Steelers will be close to a playoff team in what could be the curtain call to Roethlisberger’s Hall of Fame career.

Record: 9-8

Biggest Story to Watch: Does Roethlisberger have anything left?

Offensive MVP: Harris

Defensive MVP: Watt

4. Cincinnati Bengals

It has been a rough camp for quarterback Joe Burrow so far, but it will very interesting to see how he recovers from a brutal leg injury (via Yardbarker).

In such a loaded AFC North, it is hard to have a lot of confidence in this Cincinnati squad heading into the 2021 season. But a decent finish to last season and the return of their franchise quarterback should bring hope to Bengals’ fans, and even though they may have a tough time competing with some other AFC juggernauts in their own division, this year may be all about development and growth in the Queen City.

First and foremost, the primary concern for the Bengals in 2021 has to be the health of quarterback Joe Burrow. The former Heisman winner was sensational in his rookie season before suffering a devastating knee injury, but some early reports out of training camp have stated that Burrow has appeared hesitant at times. It is a bit of a worry at the point, but the Bengals at least did a nice job of surrounding him with some key skill position talent on offense. Running back Joe Mixon appears to be in for lead duties once again this season, and even though the Cincinnati offensive line remains suspect at best, he has proven to be capable of being a 1000 yard rusher when he stays healthy. Elsewhere, the Bengals drafted rookie Ja’Marr Chase out of LSU to give Burrow some familiarity in head coach Zac Taylor’s offense, and many Bengals fans are expecting a big rookie season despite some drop problems in the preseason. The Bengals will also return two more solid receivers with Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins, and with both players coming off nice 2020 campaigns, it would not be a shock to see for Burrow push for around 4000 passing yards this season. It is hard to have expectation of a playoff berth this season in Cincinnati with this young offense, and even though they may struggle early, it will be very interesting to see how this group develops over the course of a 17 game season.

Although they may be the “worst” of the defensive groups in the AFC North, this Bengals’ D may actually be significantly underrated entering this season. The Bengals’ defense was very off and on for most of last season, but some great stretches toward the end of last year has brought some confidence that this group can take a step forward this season. It starts with a renovated defensive backfield headlined by star safety Jessie Bates III, who burst onto the scene last year as one of the best players at the position in the NFL. He’ll help to lead a group featuring other solid defensive backs such as Chidobe Awuzie, Vonn Bell, and Trae Waynes, all players who have potential to make this a very capable secondary. In addition, the Bengals will run out a very solid defensive line led by free agent acquisition Trey Hendrickson, who is coming off a career season in New Orleans. With the bulky pass rusher headlining a group featuring D.J. Reader and Sam Hubbard, the Bengals may actually be able to generate significant pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season. The biggest concern is likely the linebacker position in this defense, but the Bengals will likely turn toward the trio of Logan Wilson, Germaine Pratt, and Akeem Davis-Gaither for the bulk of their production at that level. The Bengals likely won’t be a playoff team this year, but they can view this year as one of two things: a positive step toward a bigger picture, or a significant step backward after some encouraging signs last year. Which one actually happens remains to be seen, but the Bengals may actually be a fun watch for football fans this season.

Record: 5-12

Biggest Story to Watch: Will Burrow be able to recover from his devastating leg injury?

Offensive MVP: Burrow

Defensive MVP: Bates III

AFC Playoff Predictions

After a breakout season in 2020, Josh Allen has his sights set on the Super Bowl with a loaded Buffalo roster (via Buffalo Ramblings).

#1 Buffalo Bills (14-3)

#2 Kansas City Chiefs (13-4)

#3 Cleveland Browns (13-4)

#4 Tennessee Titans (12-5)

#5 Baltimore Ravens (10-7)

#6 New England Patriots (10-7)

#7 Los Angeles Chargers (9-8)

Wild Card Weekend

#1 Buffalo BYE

#2 Kansas City over #7 Los Angeles C.

#6 New England over #3 Cleveland

#5 Baltimore over #4 Tennessee

Divisional Round

#1 Buffalo over #6 New England

#2 Kansas City over #5 Baltimore

Conference Championship

#1 Buffalo over #2 Kansas City

Super Bowl

#1 Tampa Bay over #1 Buffalo

Award Predictions

After such a prolific college career, Trevor Lawrence has to be seen as the favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year as a member of the Jaguars (via Big Cat Country).

MVP

Favorite: Patrick Mahomes Kansas City Chiefs

It’s hard to not easily pin the best quarterback in football as the likely MVP every single season, but after a embarrassing defeat in last year’s Super Bowl, Mahomes may be motivated to be as dominant as ever. Kansas City took a bit of a step back last season in points per game, but for as long as he can stay healthy, expect around 50 touchdowns from one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in recent memory.

Runner-Up: Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks’ signal caller may have unintentionally ruffled some feathers in this past offseason, but that may have been the simple price to pay to get a total revamp for the Seattle offense heading into 2021. Wilson always seems to have noise about when he’ll finally get a single vote for MVP; with a new coordinator, an upgraded offensive line, and chatter that his production fades out over the course of the year, this may actually be his best shot of his career.

Defensive Player of the Year

Favorite: TJ Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers

Seemingly robbed a year ago of the deserving title for this award, Watt heads into the new year with even more motivation as the focal point of one of the league’s best defenses. Watt is one of the true defensive superstars in football, and with so much attention still coming from other parts of the Pittsburgh defense, there is no reason to think that Watt can’t reach 20 sacks in the prime of his career.

Runner-Up: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams

He’s regarded as the best defensive player in recent memory for a reason. Donald will continue to be a real threat toward the top of this award race year after year, but some concerns about the Rams’ depth could put even more pressure on #99’s big shoulders. Be careful of a slight dip in production with the loss of Brockers, even if it means he still floats around 15 sacks.

Offensive Player of the Year

Favorite: Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers

It was a shame that one of the best overall players in football was forced to miss so much of the 2020 season, but the former Stanford legend should be geared up for a promising new year. McCaffrey might be the most dangerous player in the sport when healthy, and expect him to have the best year of his already-spectacular career if he can find a way to stay on the field.

Runner-Up: Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

Derrick Henry may be the single most fearsome offensive player in the league. Last year’s award winner may also be the best pure runner in the league, which bodes well for his chances again this season if he can continue to truck past AFC South defenses. The only main question: will Henry lose some touches with an expanded Titans’ passing attacks with the addition of Julio Jones?

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Favorite: Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

He has been billed as the next great prospect for years, and there is really nothing that says he won’t still be. Lawrence was a superstar at Clemson in college, and even though the Jaguars have some major holes on offense, he will be called upon more often than not to carry this franchise moving forward if they want to turn around their misery of recent years.

Runner-Up: Zach Wilson, New York Jets

New York fans are starved for some quarterback success in the Big Apple, and Wilson may be their most promising prospect in years. Interceptions will surely come and go for the former BYU product, but with some underrated wide receivers helping him out on offense, Wilson could throw for around 25 touchdowns this season behind an improved Jets’ offense.

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Favorite: Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys

Despite some big-name linebackers on defense, the Cowboys were atrocious at the position in 2020. Enter rookie Micah Parsons, who already appears to be a star in the making thanks to some popularity from Hard Knocks. He has potential to be a game-changing linebacker, and he will surely be the leader of the middle of this defense from Day 1.

Runner-Up: Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos

Denver has so many elite defensive backs in their secondary that it’s easy to forget that they just drafted one of the most promising defensive back prospects in years. Surtain’s role may increase over the course of the season, and if Denver has any sort of playoff hopes, they may turn toward their newest corner for some significant production on defense.

Coach of the Year

Favorite: Mike Vrabel, Tennessee Titans

It’s true that Vrabel has been in the league for a few years now and that he is already heavily praised, but the Titans have a chance at doing something special in 2021. With their feisty head coach at the helm and with a weak division around them, Vrabel could take this team to new heights and really tap into their true Super Bowl potential.

Runner-Up: Brandon Staley, Los Angeles Chargers

The Bolts have playoff hopes after finding their newest franchise quarterback, but a lack of awareness in tight spots has often cost the Chargers some wins in recent years. With the young Staley now in charge, Los Angeles has a chance to establish themselves as a contender in the AFC if they can clean up their mistakes that have crushed them in prior seasons.