Brandon’s World: 2021 NFL Predictions

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EDITIOR’S NOTE: This article has been significantly updated since initially published on Aug. 6, 2021. The bold next to each teams’ record is the over/under set for each team for the 2021 season. “O” means I think the team will go over their projected win total. “U” means I think the team will go below their projected win total. A star (*) means I would place that bet if I was a betting man.

The 2021 regular season kicks off Thursday night when the defending Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers kick off their title defense against the Dallas Cowboys.

With the NFL season right around the corner, it’s time to predict how your favorite team will fare this fall!

For these predictions, I predicted each and every one of the 285 NFL games that are on the docket for the 2021 season. Four factors were taken into account when determining each team’s record (in no particular order).:

1. Last year’s performance
2. Strength of schedule
3. Injuries in training camp
4. Overall roster

Let’s get right to it (You can use CTRL+F on your keyboard to search your team by typing in the city in which your team resides. For example, to find Tampa Bay Buccaneers, search “Tampa Bay”)!

AFC East:

1. Bills (13–4) (O/U: 11- O) *
2. Patriots (10–7) (0/U: 9.5- O)
3. Dolphins (9–8) (O/U: 9.5- U)
4. Jets (2–15) (0/U: 6- U) *

Buffalo:

The Bills are the clear favorites in the AFC East and one of the top three teams in the conference. Their only loss in the division is at Gillette Stadium in Week 16.

New England:

The Patriots may have the easiest schedule to begin the year, and Belichick’s defense should be able to guide the team to a 6–1 start through their first seven games, including beating Brady and the Bucs in that huge Sunday Night Football matchup Week 4, but the second half for New England is a different story. They have to play Buffalo twice, Cleveland, Tennessee, Indianapolis and Miami in Miami to end the year, and we all know how those games usually go for New England. They should be a better team than last year, and they have the ability to win 10 games with Mac Jones as the signal caller but their lack of offensive explosion will come back to bite them against good teams.

Miami:

Miami has the complete opposite schedule of New England. It’s extremely difficult early but weakens as the season progresses. They could very well start the season 1–4 and finish 8–4. They don’t have the firepower to keep up with Buffalo, and this team will win games strictly because of their good defense. I don’t think Tua Tagovailoa is the future of this team.

New York (Jets):

The Jets are in a total rebuild and will be one of the worst teams in the league this year, and they become the laughing stock of the league when they give the lowly Texans their first win post Thanksgiving. I’m not even sure Zac Wilson can play and if Robert Salah is a head coach, but we’re about to find out.

AFC West:

1. Chiefs (14–3) (O/U: 12.5- O)*
2. Chargers (9–8) (O/U: 9.5- U)
3. Raiders (7–10) (O/U: 7- PUSH)
4. Broncos (6–11) (0/U: 8.5- U)*

Kansas City:

The Super Bowl runner-ups should have no problem blowing through their weak division. Their toughest games are on the road, but this team is too explosive not to win at least 13–14 games. They have a little bit of a trap stretch during Weeks 5–9 when they face four playoff opponents from 2020 in Buffalo, Washington, Tennessee and Green Bay, but if they split those matchups, from then on, everything is smooth sailing for Patrick Mahomes and crew.

Los Angeles (Chargers):

The Bolts start off the year 0–3 and finish the year 3–0, so what happens in-between? A mix of close, either-or games. Starting with Week 8 vs New England, I count seven straight toss-up games for new head coach Brandon Stayley. I have them going 4–3 in those games, and that seven week stretch will decide whether or not this is a playoff team.

Las Vegas:

After a 1–3 start, Derek Carr and Jon Gruden rally the troops, win four in a row, and we think this is the year the Raiders can finally compete, and then in typical Raiders fashion, they meltdown. After shocking the Cowboys on Thanksgiving in Dallas, they sit at 6–5 and have a 4–0 record against the NFC. They finish 1–5 and stay pat at third in the division with a 7–10 record. After another collapse, do the Raiders move on from Gruden and/or Carr?

Denver:

Denver has a brutal schedule at the beginning of the year that may see the end of Vic Fiango by Week 7 if the Broncos do start 1–6 following a Thursday Night loss to Cleveland, even with Teddy Bridgewater as their starting quarterback. Their schedule softens up before the division gauntlet ends the year. They play five of their six division games starting in Week 12, and they by far have the worst QB in the division. Expect the Broncos to be in the market for a QB, whether it’s Aaron Rodgers or a college prospect in 2022.

AFC North:

1. Ravens (13–4) (O/U: 10.5- O)*
2. Browns (11–6) (O/U: 10.5- O)*
3. Steelers (8–9) (O/U: 8.5- U)
4. Bengals (5–12) (O/U: 6.5- U)*

Baltimore:

After Baltimore goes to Denver in Week 4, they don’t have to travel again till Week 10 when they go to Miami on a Thursday night. After barely escaping Miami, Justin Fields and Chicago shock them in Chicago in Week 11. They end the year 4–4, tail spinning like their division-rival Pittsburgh did a year ago.

Cleveland:

The Browns schedule is definitely a lot easier at home than on the road. They only play two teams that were playoff teams from a year ago at home, and they’re both in the division in Baltimore and Pittsburgh. There’s a lot of cupcakes in there with Houston, Detroit and Denver and beatable opponents in Vegas, Arizona and Chicago. The real test will come on the road, and I think a late loss to Pittsburgh at Heinz Field in December on a Monday Night gives the division to Baltimore.

Pittsburgh:

The 17th game prevents Mike Tomlin from having a winning record for the first time in Pittsburgh. The road schedule for Pittsburgh is absurd! Outside their own division, they travel to Buffalo, Green Bay, LA for the Chargers, Minnesota and Kansas City. Buffalo, Green Bay and Kansas City are three of the best teams in the league, and the Chargers and Vikings match up well with Pittsburgh. The Steelers may run the ball more in 2021, but they’re not better than Baltimore or Cleveland, and Cincinnati will compete against them and steal at least one game.

Cincinnati:

With 2020 №1 overall pick Joe Burrow still recovering from his torn ACL and MCL, I think the Bengals get off to a slow start, only defeating Jacksonville in Week 4 on Thursday Night Football through their first 8 games. However, I think Burrow is fully back by the half-way point of the season, and the team looks like a team on the rise the rest of the season, a la the Niners in 2017 when they acquired Jimmy Garoppolo at the deadline. If rookie wideout Jamar Chase stops dropping passes, I believe he has a chance to be offensive rookie of the year. I expect him to have a monster season, like Justin Jefferson did for the Vikings in 2020. I thought he was the best weapon in the draft.

AFC South:

1. Titans (10–7) (O/U: 9.5- O)
2. Colts (8–9) (O/U: 9.5- U)
3. Jaguars (3–14) (O/U: 6.5- U)*
4. Texans (1–16) (O/U: 4- U)*

Tennessee:

The Colts have been brutalized with injuries and COVID issues during training camp, making the Titans now the clear favorite in this division, but this team is too run-heavy centric I believe, even with the addition of Julio Jones to go along with A.J. Brown. They’re a good team, not a great one, but ultimately they wrap up the division and the №4 seed by Week 17.

Indianapolis:

The Colts could realistically start the season 1–6. At home against Seattle, the Rams and Houston while traveling to Tennessee, Miami, Baltimore and San Francisco is a hell of a task. After that, it gets a little easier, but the hole may be too big to overcome for a team who I think does have the pieces to be GREAT in the next few years. They have a top offensive line, a top defense, above average weapons, a great running game and a great coach in Frank Reich. Be on the lookout for the Colts beginning in 2022. The schedule is just too tough this year.

Jacksonville:

The first 2 games should have DUVAL excited! I think Trevor Lawrence and Urban Meyer could LEAD the AFC South by going into Houston and knocking off the Texans before coming home and beating Denver to go to 2–0 while the Titans, Colts and Texans all fall into early 0–2 holes. After that, however, is a different story. The magic will run out quickly as the Jags lose 14 of their last 15 games to finish the year 3–14. Lawrence is a phenom, but we don’t know if Meyer can coach, and this team is in full rebuild mode, but at least they’re not Houston!

Houston:

I had to look up who this team’s head coach was (It’s former Ravens’ WR’s coach David Culley)! That’s how bad this team is, and whatever goes on with Deshawn Watson does not affect how bad this team is! I can’t even name one player for them on their team, literally! They get a pity victory over the Jets, but this team has a legit chance to go 0–17.

AFC Conference Standings:

Division winners:

1. KC (14–3)
2. BAL (13–4)
3. BUF (13–4)
4. TEN (10–7)

Wild Card:

1. CLE (12–5)
2. NE (10–7)
3. LAC (9–8)

In the Hunt:

1. MIA (9–8)
2. IND (8–9)
3. PIT (8–9)

AFC Wild Card Weekend:

7) LAC AT 2) BAL

6) NE AT 3) BUF

5) CLE AT 4) TEN

I would pick Cleveland to pull off the road “upset” over Tennessee. They’re just better than the Titans. The rest of the home teams hold in the AFC, though both New England and the Chargers give Buffalo and Baltimore a fight.

AFC Divisional Round:

5) CLE AT 1) KC

3) BUF AT 2) BAL

Two rematches from 2020 make up the divisional round. Cleveland will be going to Kansas City for the third time in two years, and just like the first two contests, Kansas City knocks the Browns off. I just don’t think the Browns can beat the Chiefs unless they play a perfect game. They don’t have the personnel defensively (even with all of their additions) to keep up with Kelce and Hill, and Andy Reid owns the Browns in his career. In the other contest, Baltimore, at home, will get their revenge on Buffalo from 2020 as Lamar Jackson continues his quest to prove to people he is a franchise QB.

AFC Championship:

2) BAL AT 1) KC

After finally defeating Kansas City Week 2 in Baltimore, Kansas City gets revenge in the championship game in Arrowhead as they pounce the Ravens to make their third straight Super Bowl.

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Check out who the Chiefs play in the NFC version! Without further ado, let’s get to it with the NFC Least!

NFC East:

1. Cowboys (9–8) (O/U: 9.5- U)
2. Eagles (7–10) (O/U: 6.5- O)
3. Washington (7–10) (O/U: 8- U)
4. Giants (5–12) (0/U: 7- U)

Dallas:

it’s the Dallas Cowboys, which means no matter what they’re going to win games they’re not supposed to, and lose games they’re supposed to win. I have them starting 5–3 before dropping five straight to knock them down to 5–8, making it look like Mike McCarthy is done, and the team is headed for a rebuild. But… they’re in the NFC LEAST, meaning they rally and defeat the Giants, Washington, Arizona and arch-rival Philly late in the year to win the division at 9–8. They have by far the best QB in the division in Prescott, even if he’s coming off his horrendous leg injury and a shoulder injury in training camp. There is no excuse for this team not to lift the NFC LEAST trophy in January. They’re defense ONLY can get BETTER after what happened in 2020!

Philadelphia:

The birds will be better than people think this season IF the offensive line stays healthy. The Eagles have three pro-bowl lineman on the offensive side, and three on the defensive side. That’s winning football, and Hurts can make enough plays with his legs that the offense should theoretically be able to score some. They have a gauntlet schedule early, but the last four games of the year are against division opponents. If I’m correct, the Eagles would enter Week 17 in Washington with a 7–8 record, and an opportunity to steal the NFC LEAST at 8–9 if they beat the Football Team and arch rival Dallas. Unfortunately for the city of Brotherly Love, Nick Sirianni’s first year with the team ends with two heartbreaking losses, and the question in the offseason will be if Hurts is the answer at QB.

Washington:

Washington’s season will be determined by who their QB is. I don’t believe in Ryan FitzPatrick, aka FitzMagic, or as I like to call him, Mr. INT! However, their defense will be good enough to keep them in the race. That defensive line will win them games single handedly against New Orleans and Kansas City early in the year when Fitzpatrick or Taylor Hienkee is playing well. Their downfall occurs late in the year when they finish with five straight division games, losing three of them, including a Week 16 Sunday Night Football battle in Dallas. Ron Rivera is a good coach, but Terry McLauren can’t carry the offense.

New York (Giants):

There seems to be a sentiment this year the Giants are for real, and I don’t believe that for one bit because I think they have the worst QB in the division. I’m not a fan of Daniel Jones at all, and the G-Men won’t be either when they lose five out of their last six to fall completely out of the division race. Their road schedule is BRUTAL. Outside of their division, they travel to New Orleans, Kansas City, Tampa, Miami, Los Angeles (Chargers) and Chicago (in December). All of those games they will have a SIGNIFICANT disadvantage at QB, and I don’t think they can win a division game on the road with Daniel Jones. In short, the Giants will be looking for a new QB in 2022 and possibly a new coach after their shocking finish in last place in one of, if not, the worst division in football.

NFC West:

1. Seahawks (12–5) (O/U: 9.5- O)*
2. Niners (11–6) (O/U: 10- O)
3. Cardinals (11–6) (O/U: 8.5- O)*
4. Rams (11–6) (O/U: 10.5- O)

Seattle:

Seattle is one of those teams that every year (much like this year) I predict to have a great record, but they don’t usually have as good of a record as they should, so we shall see, but it’s definitely doable for them to go undefeated at home. Outside of their division, they play New Orleans, Tennessee, Jacksonville, Chicago and Detroit in Seattle, and the only tough game on that list is New Orleans. However, I do anticipate the Seahawks fans to be rocking after beating shut out last year because of COVID, and I expect for Russell Wilson to ball out. They’ll lose their road division games, but they should be good enough to win the toughest division in football.

San Francisco:

After a shocking Week 2 loss in Philly to the Eagles, I think Kyle Shanahan, John Lynch and the Niners make the move to №3 overall pick Trae Lance early in the year, and the Niners look like the Super Bowl team from two years ago the rest of the way. Since he’s been in the Bay Area, Shanahan has dominated the Cardinals and the Rams, and I think the trend continues in 2021, sweeping both teams. They’ll be a hard out in the playoffs, considering their only home loss could be in Week 3 to Rodgers and the Packers.

Arizona:

Analysis: Arizona’s defense is by far the worst in the division, which is why they won’t win many road games, but they’re offense led by Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins will be dynamite, allowing them to win some tough home games against Green Bay, the Rams, Indy and Seattle.

Los Angeles (Rams):

Yes, for the first time in NFL history, all four teams from a division will make the playoffs. The Rams may be one of the best fourth-place teams of all time! Mathew Stafford leads his new team to 11 wins in his first year in LA, but the Rams poor 2–4 division record puts them at last place in the division.

NFC North:

1. Packers (14–3) (O/U: 10.5- O)*
2. Vikings (8–9) (O/U: 9- U)
3. Bears (7–10) (O/U: 7.5- U)
4. Lions (2–15) (O.U: 5- U)*

Green Bay:

The NFC North is the Green Bay Packers Invitational, and the rest of the division sits in imbo. Minnesota always plays them tough in Green Bay, but Minnesota isn’t close to Green Bay in terms of being ready to compete. They suffer their first loss Week 8 on Thursday Night against Arizona, followed by a loss in Kansas City, but besides that, there should be no trouble for Aaron Rodgers and crew. Rodgers may very well win the MVP again on his way out of Lambeau as he, Aaron Jones and DeVonte Adams all have spectacular years for the Pack.

Minnesota:

The Vikings are very similar to the Chargers, Steelers and Cowboys where there’s a ton of swing games on this schedule. Cincinnati, Seattle, Cleveland, Carolina, Dallas, Pittsburgh and both LA teams I could see going either way. That’s literally half their schedule! I predict they go 4–4 in those games, and 4–2 in the division to get them to a 8–6 record. The issue is I don’t see how they can beat Arizona, San Francisco and Baltimore on the road, so they have no shot to make the playoffs in my estimation. Kirk Cousins will struggle against good teams, and the Vikings will go through the same story they’ve gone through the last few years: Close but no cigar.

Chicago:

Bears fans may be the most frustrated fans this season. After starting 1–2 the Bears coaching staff and front office decide to put in rookie signal caller Justin Fields to replace Andy Dalton. Fields has some growing pains after defeating the Lions Week 4, losing four out of his next five games before the bye. After the bye however, the Bears knock off the Ravens, giving Baltimore their first loss. Bears fans think they may be going somewhere with Fields, but then the lowly Lions beat them in a rematch on Thanksgiving. They respond with a big home win against Arizona before Rodgers and the Packers send them another loss. They follow that up by taking two more L’s against the Vikings and Seahawks before they end the year by beating the G-Men in Chicago and Minnesota in Minnesota Week 18. It’s going to be a roller coaster for Bears fans.

Detroit:

Dan Cambell’s 80 ounces of coffee a day won’t save this team from being a disaster! Jerad Goff will have a terrible year, and the terrible Lions’ only highlight of the season will be beating the Bears on Thanksgiving. The other win occurs against Cincinnati in Week 6. It’s a pity win because Campbell will be desperate for his first win.

NFC South:

1. Bucs (15–2) (O/U: 11.5- O)*
2. Saints (9–8) (O/U: 9- PUSH)
3. Panthers (8–9) (O/U: 7.5- O)
4. Falcons (7–10) (O/U: 7.5- U)

Tampa Bay:

The defending champs hit a skid in their quest to go 17–0 Week 3 against the Rams as they look too far ahead to New England Week 4. Belichick gets to Brady and crew at Gillette Stadium on an emotional night, and the media will spend the whole week talking about how the Bucs may have hit a Super Bowl hangover. The problem for the media is the GOAT and crew will end the season by ripping off 13 straight victories and finishing the season with the best record in the league at 15–2. They brought EVERYBODY back from the championship team, and their chemistry will only grow throughout the year. Not to mention New Orleans being weaker without Brees opens the door for them to go perfect in their division.

New Orleans:

It’s going to be a rough start for the Saints without Drew Brees, not to mention Michael Thomas missing a month to start the year. Jamesis Winston will begin the year as the QB, and he will have some big games and some poor games. They’ll finish one game above .500, but they’re going to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Carolina:

The Panthers may be the surprise of the league through the first six weeks, going 4–2, but most of those games are against weak opponents. The only legitimate win through Week 6 will be Week 2 at home against the Saints. The Panthers will be proven fools gold when they finish the season 4–7 for a 8–9 record. After playing well early, Sam Darnold will struggle as the year progresses, and Matt Rhule will be looking for a new QB in 2022. Christian McCaffery will still be amazing though on the bright side for Carolina.

Atlanta:

Atlanta has great weapons. Kyle Pitts could be the rookie of the year on offense, and Calvin Ridley and Matt Ryan will also have big years for new head coach Arthur Smith. However, this defense is a mess, and they’re going to lose a lot of shootouts. Not to mention, they’re the Falcons, so they’re going to lose some games they should win.

NFC Conference Standings:

Division Winners:

1. TB (15–2)
2. GB (14–3)
3. SEA (12–5)
4. DAL (9–8)

Wild Card:

1. SF (11–5)
2. ARZ (11–6)
3. LAR (11–6)

In the Hunt:

1. NO (9–8)

NFC Wild Card Weekend:

7) LAR AT 2) GB

6) ARZ AT 3) SEA

5) SF AT 4) DAL

In a rematch from last year’s divisional round, Green Bay once again knocks off the Rams. After winning on each of their home turfs, the Seahawks once again beat Arizona in Seattle. The Niners with Trae Lance at the helm defeat Dallas in Jerry’s World.

NFC Divisional Round:

5) SF AT 1) TB

3) SEA AT 2) GB

Both home teams knock off NFC West foes to set up a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship game, but this time it’ll be at Raymond James Stadium.

NFC Championship:

2) GB AT 1) TB

Aaron Rodgers falls to 1–5 in NFC Championship games as the Bucs move one step closer to going back-to-back. This could be Rodgers’ last game ever played in a Packer uniform.

Super Bowl:

1)TB AT 1) KC

In a closer matchup than Super Bowl LV, the Chiefs stop Tom Brady’s quest, and Patrick Mahomes wins the Lombardi Trophy for the second time in three years.