2021 NFL Power Rankings Part 2 - Tier Two Teams #21-#11

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Part two definitely might consist of some surprises. I believe the teams in this category have about a sixteen to fifty-five percent chance of making the playoffs.

These mid-range teams were pretty tough to rank but here it goes.

#21 Carolina Panthers

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I kind of like the vibes in Carolina. I think they played really hard last year, I also like their head coach Matt Rhule.

Last season they lost their star running back Christian McCaffrey due to injury and they didn't truly have a franchise quarterback.

This season they have Sam Darnold starting at quarterback. While there is not really a big difference between Darnold and former Carolina QB Teddy Bridgewater, I think Darnold is arguably a little better right now AND he's got a much higher ceiling than the veteran Bridgewater.

Darnold is still just only 24 years old, and now he won't be in a massive city with all that pressure like New York City when he was a Jet for the first three years of his career.

This will be an interesting team to watch!

#20 Dallas Cowboys

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This team is just super up and down over the years, I've come to the conclusion, they're just average at this point in time.

I could have them a bit higher but there's just a lot of questions surrounding the team. Can Dak bounce back from several injuries? Can Zeke return to elite form? Can the defense improve?

As always, I can't deny I'm intrigued to see how this team plays in 2021. There is a bit of potential there.

#19 Washington Football Team

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The Washington Football Team is solidly constructed to be pretty competitive, no doubt. They were a playoff team last year despite them only having a 7-9 record.

The NFC East was a mess last year, true, but the WFT were right in the thick of it in that regard. They had QB issues everywhere and still managed to scratch and claw their way to a Division Championship. I think that proved that they have the superior all around roster in the NFC East.

The Washington Football team have a new pretty good veteran QB in Ryan Fitzpatrick, a slight upgrade and stability for the very important division. They have decent offensive weapons and an above average defense.

I'm intrigued to see what this team can pull off in 2021.

#18 San Francisco 49ers

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This team is weird. They have a good defense and an ok offense.

They seemed to have like, lost their identity as a team after appearing in and almost winning a Super Bowl two seasons ago. They don't have faith in their QB Jimmy Garoppolo. They drafted a QB from a small school in Trey Lance, that I think was maybe a mistake. I don't know yet, the dude is still a rookie so maybe that's entirely too early to say, but I don't know about the kid.

Their defense, decent offensive weapons, and good coaching will help them be a respectable squad or better.

#17 Minnesota Vikings

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You know, I have been up and down when I think about Vikings QB Kirk Cousins. But I think I have an idea of how to characterize him more.

Kirk Cousins is the NFL's present day Eli Manning. So yeah. He can win under good circumstances around him. I think it's a good comparison.

The Vikings have got players at every position, they just need to maybe fine tune some things to improve from their 7-9 record in 2020.

The Vikings have defense, a good running back, and two good receivers. If they drafted well, and added some key players etc, this team should be decent.

#16 Indianapolis Colts

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The Colts were a very good team last year. Great defense, pretty efficient offense.

Going into 2021 though, I believe they have downgraded at QB with Carson Wentz after veteran QB Philip Rivers retired.

The Colts have have had some injuries this offseason to key players like QB Carson Wentz and and with their elite All-Pro offensive guard Quenton Nelson. Both seem healthy enough to start the season, but I have doubts about how close they actually will be to 100 percent. Both players underwent surgery to their FEET just a few weeks ago.

If they had a better QB and were healthier, this team could be higher. They still have a very good roster.

#15 Las Vegas Raiders

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The Raiders are basically a slightly better version of the Cowboys.

They have an average QB that sometimes can play above average in Derek Carr. I like their running back Josh Jacobs and tight end Darren Waller.

This team plays hard and they get to play the best team in the league twice a year, which must suck but I believe it makes them a better team. If they can somehow become more competitive with the Chiefs then they will know how close they are.

#14 Arizona Cardinals

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The Arizona Cardinals are another weird team. I guess when a team is 8-8 it's going to be difficult to read.

But the team has a speedy pretty good QB in Kyler Murray. Potentially two elite receivers in DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green. They have an up and coming defense.

Similar to the Raiders I give them credit for competing in a tough division that is the NFC West.

There is potential on this team on paper, they have just got to prove it on the field, which is a totally different story.

#13 Miami Dolphins

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The Dolphins are a bit high on this list for me, but they performed well enough last year, that I had to put them here really.

I am not too confident in their young QB Tua Tagovailoa, but he's not terrible. The offense as a whole could be better, but its ok.

The defense in Miami is pretty legit, and I think they are very well coached as well. They will be a tough team again, if Tua can improve then they will be very good. The first game in Foxboro at the Patriots will tell me a lot about the 2021 Dolphins.

#12 Los Angeles Chargers

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The Chargers are perhaps my boldest ranking so far, I don't know.

They showed awesome signs that they could be good in the future last year. Their rookie QB (now second year) Justin Herbert played really well, and it's pretty clear to me the kid will be pretty good.

The Chargers play Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs twice a season, and so I kinda give them credit for that.

I don't know what it is, I just like the look of the Chargers. They played in a lot of close games last season, with a fresh season I believe this team could very well be in the playoffs.

#11 New England Patriots

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Despite losing the greatest quarterback of all time, the Patriots' first season without the GOAT wasn't a total disaster really. They weren't that good, but they scraped together a 7-9 record.

This off-season the Patriots got A LOT of talent, they got tight ends, defensive players I mean they got a lot of quality talent.

The team is going with a fresh young rookie QB in Mac Jones who has looked really good in pre-season.

The Patriots have got a legendary HOF HC in Bill Belichick who I know is going to be focused as ever to get his own Super Bowl without Brady.

Look out for the Patriots, they're coming.


My top ten NFL teams coming soon!



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