COMMUNICATED CONTENT – The season is officially underway and there is that familiar air of anticipation amongst all football fans waiting for the kick-off.
But which teams are being tipped for success in this year’s NFL season?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Super Bowl winners kept hold of all their core 22-man squad over the pre-season. That means they will start the regular season with their star player Tom Brady. Brady won the biggest game of last season with a recurring knee injury, but the close has brought him back to full health.
The Bucs will also be able to call on the talents of Shaq Barrett, Chris Godwin, and Antonio Brown. The signing of running back Giovanni Bernard from the Cincinnati Bengals also adds productive pass-catching to the squad. Experts have tipped that a perfect season is possible for the star-powered Bucs.
Kansas City Chiefs
In Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs have one of the best quarterbacks ever and the likely candidate to take over from Brady as most successful. The Chiefs have also brought new signings Kyle Long and Joe Thuney.
Another new squad member, Orlando Brown, is tipped to make a big impression at Kansas. Widely impressing during his draft season as the Baltimore Ravens, Brown plays at offensive tackle and is expected to further strengthen the Chiefs’ line-up.
The Chiefs have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. While they lost out to the Bucs last season, they are the favorites to win the Super Bowl this season in the NFL betting markets.
Green Bay Packers
Being successful in the NFL is all about the big hitters, and in Aaron Rodgers, the Packers have one of the best. In terms of attacking strength, Green Bay are more than a match for the Bucs and Chiefs.
If they can organise their defence to a higher level they could be in with a good shout. With new defensive coordinator Joe Barry joining the staff, they have every chance of doing so.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills will be looking to young star and fan favourite Josh Allan to fulfil his significant potential this year. Alongside veteran squad members Emmanuel Sanders, Stefon Diggs, and Cole Beasley, Allan has every chance.
The game between the Bills playing in Kansas will tell us everything we need to know about their ability to cope with the strongest sides. A rematch of the AFC Championship game – which the Chiefs claimed 38-24 – this tune round the Bills could be a tougher nut to crack.
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland is home to one of the best overall teams in the NFL. Their already strong group of players was further boosted by the additions of John Johnson and Troy Hill from the LA Rams, plus setting up Jadeveon Clowney to work in defence with highly rated Myles Garrett.
With a strong all-round squad, the Browns look set to repeat or even better their successful 2020 performance when they secured a play-off place. One of the league’s most impressive attacks in terms of pace, the Browns are always a force to be reckoned with. The signing of experienced defensive tackle Malik Jackson will also bolster their defensive line.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens begin the season as one of the favourites to make the playoffs and possibly go all the way to the Superbowl. This is largely thanks to the power and skill of star QB Lamar Jackson. While they have in the past occasionally looked over-reliant on Jackson, the signings of several key players could well lighten the star player’s load.
Significant is the capture of wide receiver Sammy Watkins. Signing a deal ultimately worth $6million, Watkins adds experience and strength to the squad.
The resigning of linebacker Tyus Bowser also provides solidity at the back. A hugely improved player over the last four years, last year Bowser was the only player to make at least three inceptions and three sacks.
Los Angeles Rams
By procuring the services of QB Matthew Stafford, the Rams should be able to take their attack to a new level. The side already has arguably the best defence in the NFL, so even a slight improvement in their attacking strength should see them amongst the favourites.
Sony Michel working with Stafford in the offence could well see their best overall lineup for quite some time. An early-season encounter with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 3 will showcase exactly how well the Rams can compete with the top performers.
The Upcoming Season
While the future planning of the NFL has come in for plenty of discussion in the last year, with the addition of a 17th regular-season game a huge talking point, it will ultimately be the action that counts.
With everyone hoping for things retuning to normalcy in stadiums – while still managing the pandemic sensibly – the return of home advantage is sure to be significant.
Whatever happens this year, football fans will be sure to be gripped by the entertainment and enticing prospect of hard-fought battles on the pitch.
