Way Too Early NFL Predictions: Who will be the Super Bowl Champion in 2021-2022?
The 2020-2021 NFL season was one of the most eventful periods in recent football history due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite all the safety measures taken, such as delaying games and constant COVID testing, NFL teams were able to play every game. Now that this historic season is over, it’s time to crown next year’s potential champions. Below are the top five teams that have the greatest chance at hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in February of 2022:
1. The Kansas City Chiefs
After a disappointing blowout Super Bowl loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Chiefs are refueling and upgrading for the 2021 season to re-establish themselves as an elite team in the league. With an offense led by MVP-caliber quarterback Patrick Mahomes, backed by multiple All-Pro receiving threats, and supported by a talented backfield, the Chiefs are bound to dominate the regular season. Kansas City’s overpowering offense, combined with their top ten defense, make them the favorite to win the title in 2021.
2. The Buffalo Bills
After a very promising 2020 season, the future is bright for the Buffalo Bills. Led by young quarterback Josh Allen, who received four MVP votes, and 2020 reception and receiving yard leader Stefon Diggs, Bills fans should have high hopes for the 2021 season. Working in tandem, Allen and Diggs have a chance to carry their team all the way to the AFC Championship and beat the defending conference champion Chiefs to make their way to the Super Bowl. Furthermore, they are set to have the twenty-third easiest schedule in the league, making this deep playoff run even more realistic. If the Bills play up to expectations, they have a shot at winning the AFC East two years in a row for the first time since 1991.
3. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Heading into the 2020 regular season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had the ninth-worst preseason odds to win the Super Bowl at +5000. In response, Tom Brady did what he does best: he defied all odds and ushered Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl victory, and there are no signs the team is slowing down. Just recently, the Buccaneers re-signed all 22 of their Super Bowl starters. With elite performances from a top-five offense and defense loaded with talented weapons on both sides of the ball–Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Shaquille Barrett–the defending champions might repeat last season’s success. However, the question remains: can 43-year-old Tom Brady lead his team back to the Super Bowl for a second consecutive season?
4. The Green Bay Packers
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MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers and First-Team All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams dominated the league last year, leading their team to the NFC Championship game. However, they fell just short of the Super Bowl. After throwing for 48 touchdowns last year, Aaron Rodgers is on the hunt to add yet another award to his trophy case. Although some might say the Packers’ high-powered offense is too reliant on Davante Adams, it worked last season and it is almost certain to work again this season! Adams is not only Green Bay’s number one wide receiver but arguably the number one receiver in the league. He finished the 2020 season ranked second in receptions (115), fifth in receiving yards (1,374), and first in receiving touchdowns (18).This puts Davante Adams in a class with Jerry Rice and Randy Moss, both Hall of Fame wide receivers who are the only other two players in history to reach such a stat line. Clearly, Rodgers has an elite target in Adams, and if this offense can stay consistent throughout next year, they will be a heavy favorite in the NFC.
5. The San Francisco 49ers
After losing 22 players due to injury last season and struggling as a result, this Super Bowl-caliber team has a great chance at returning to the playoffs. With six defensive starters making a return in 2021, the 49er’s defense this upcoming season is bound to be reminiscent of their monstrous 2019 defense that shut down offensive powerhouses. On the other side of the ball, San Francisco has eight offensive starters returning who suffered harsh injuries that either shortened or ended their 2020 season. Moreover, the 49ers recently traded up to the third pick to select quarterback Trey Lance. If he plays up to his potential, the 49ers could be in the conversation for a deep playoff run in 2021. The 2019 Super Bowl Runner-Ups have a chance to push their way into the playoffs once again and will likely bounce back to be in contention for the Lombardi Trophy.
