NFL power rankings, pre-kickoff edition as 2021 regular season approaches (previous rank in parentheses):
1. Buccaneers (1): They’ve got their entire starting lineup back. They could get a full season out of WR Antonio Brown, TE O.J. Howard and additions like RB Gio Bernard and first-round OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. The Bucs are even 100% vaccinated. Has a stage ever been better set for a repeat bid?
2. Chiefs (2): Their revamped offensive line projects to have three players (rookie C Creed Humphrey, RG Trey Smith and RT Lucas Niang) who have combined for zero NFL starts. Could be a rough beginning for a team that will see Myles Garrett, Calais Campbell and Joey Bosa in September.
3. Browns (3): From free agency to the draft to the return of WR Odell Beckham Jr., did any team have a better offseason? Unlike 2019, time to take the Cleveland’s Super Bowl hype quite seriously .
4. Packers (8): “The Last Dance” vibe around this team would be cute … if there wasn’t such a junior high overtone about it. Unlike the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls, the Pack haven’t been prom kings in a decade.
5. Bills (4): A defensive line reinforced by rookies Gregory Rousseau and Boogie Basham and return of Star Lotulelei might be enough to vault last year’s AFC finalists past Kansas City.