Football On Tap: 2021 NFL Predictions
Photo: AP Photo/Matt Patterson
We are just a few hours away from the official start of the 2021 NFL Season. The reigning champs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host, America's team, the Dallas Cowboys.
As we wait for the hours, minutes, and seconds to tick away and the pregame festivities to wrap up and lead us into the best time of the year, the Bears On Tap team has you covered with our predictions for the upcoming season.
Alongside me in predicting the 2021 NFL season is analytics wizard, Quinten Kryzsko. You all might know him as @ButkusStats on Twitter.
Here's how this will work: we'll run through each division and predict every team's record and provide the playoff teams from each conference. In addition, we'll provide the respective conference's championship game and the Super Bowl matchup and winner. Next, both of us will give predictions for each award winner and which head coach will lose their job first.
NFC East
Oct 11, 2020; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) runs on the field before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Photo: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Aalap | Quinten |
Dallas Cowboys (11-6) | Dallas Cowboys (9-8) |
Washington Football Team (10-7) | Washington Football Team (8-9) |
New York Giants (6-11) | Philadelphia Eagles (7-10) |
Philadelphia Eagles (5-12) | New York Giants (7-10) |
Aalap's Playoff Teams:Cowboys (Division), Football Team (Wild Card)
Quinten's Playoff Teams:Cowboys (Division)
NFC South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette (28) runs against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in New Orleans. Photo: AP Photo/Butch Dill
Aalap | Quinten |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-4) | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7) |
Carolina Panthers (8-9) | New Orleans Saints (10-7) |
Atlanta Falcons (7-10) | Carolina Panthers (6-11) |
New Orleans Saints (6-11) | Atlanta Falcons (5-12) |
Aalap's Playoff Teams:Buccaneers (Division)
Quinten's Playoff Teams:Buccaneers (Division), Saints (Wild Card)
NFC North
Chicago Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) celebrates a touchdown with his teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Chicago. Photo: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
Aalap | Quinten |
Green Bay Packers (12-5) | Green Bay Packers (11-6) |
Minnesota Vikings (8-9) | Chicago Bears (9-8) |
Chicago Bears (7-10) | Minnesota Vikings (8-9) |
Detroit Lions (5-12) | Detroit Lions (6-11) |
Aalap's Playoff Teams:Packers (Division)
Quinten's Playoff Teams:Packers (Division), Bears (Wild Card)
NFC West
Jimmy Garoppolo (10) is currently the starting quarterback in San Francisco. How long will it be until rookie Trey Lance takes over?Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Aalap | Quinten |
Los Angeles Rams (12-5) | San Francisco 49ers (10-7) |
Seattle Seahawks (10-7) | Seattle Seahawks (10-7) |
San Francisco 49ers (9-8) | Los Angeles Rams (8-9) |
Arizona Cardinals (7-10) | Arizona Cardinals (8-9) |
Aalap's Playoff Teams:Rams (Division), Seahawks (Wild Card), 49ers (Wild Card)
Quinten's Playoff Teams:49ers (Division), Seahawks (Wild Card)
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AFC East
Josh Allen (17) made waves last season in Buffalo. This season, some experts believe he could be the league's MVP.Photo: Adrian Kraus/Associated Press
Aalap | Quinten |
Buffalo Bills (12-5) | Buffalo Bills (11-6) |
New England Patriots (9-8) | New England Patriots (10-7) |
Miami Dolphins (7-10) | Miami Dolphins (10-7) |
New York Jets (6-11) | New York Jets (5-12) |
Aalap's Playoff Teams:Bills (Division)
Quinten's Playoff Teams:Bills (Division), Patriots (Wild Card), Dolphins (Wild Card)
AFC South
Aug 9, 2018; Green Bay, WI, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Anthony Firkser (86) warms up with tight end Jonnu Smith (81) before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Photo: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Aalap | Quinten |
Tennessee Titans (12-5) | Tennessee Titans (9-8) |
Indianapolis Colts (10-7) | Indianapolis Colts (9-8) |
Jacksonville Jaguars (7-10) | Houston Texans (6-11) |
Houston Texans (3-14) | Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13) |
Aalap's Playoff Teams:Titans (Division), Colts (Wild Card)
Quinten's Playoff Teams:Titans (Division)
AFC North
In what may be the tightest division in football, the Steelers, Ravens, and Browns are all competing to be kings of the AFC North.Photo: Peter Diana/Post-Gazette
Aalap | Quinten |
Pittsburgh Steelers (11-6) | Cleveland Browns (12-5) |
Cleveland Browns (11-6) | Baltimore Ravens (11-6) |
Baltimore Ravens (10-7) | Pittsburgh Steelers (7-10) |
Cincinnati Bengals (6-11) | Cincinnati Bengals (6-11) |
Aalap's Playoff Teams:Steelers (Division), Browns (Wild Card)
Quinten's Playoff Teams:Browns (Division), Ravens (Wild Card)
AFC West
Perhaps the most exciting player in football, Patrick Mahomes will look to lead the Chiefs back to the Super Bowl.Photo: Kansas City Chiefs
Aalap | Quinten |
Kansas City Chiefs (12-5) | Kansas City Chiefs (13-4) |
Los Angeles Chargers (10-7) | Los Angeles Chargers (9-8) |
Denver Broncos (6-11) | Denver Broncos (9-8) |
Las Vegas Raiders (4-13) | Las Vegas Raiders (8-9) |
Aalap's Playoff Teams:Chiefs (Division), Chargers (Wild Card)
Quinten's Playoff Teams:Chiefs (Division)
Playoffs
Playoff Teams
Aalap | Quinten | |
NFC East | Dallas Cowboys | Dallas Cowboys |
NFC South | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
NFC North | Green Bay Packers | Green Bay Packers |
NFC West | Los Angeles Rams | San Francisco 49ers |
NFC Wild Card | Washington Football Team | New Orleans Saints |
NFC Wild Card | Seattle Seahawks | Chicago Bears |
NFC Wild Card | San Francisco 49ers | Seattle Seahawks |
AFC East | Buffalo Bills | Buffalo Bills |
AFC South | Tennessee Titans | Tennessee Titans |
AFC North | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cleveland Browns |
AFC West | Kansas City Chiefs | Kansas City Chiefs |
AFC Wild Card | Indianapolis Colts | New England Patriots |
AFC Wild Card | Cleveland Browns | Miami Dolphins |
AFC Wild Card | Los Angeles Chargers | Baltimore Ravens |
Conference Championships/Super Bowl
Aalap | Quinten | |
NFC Championship | Buccaneers vs. Rams | Buccaneers vs. Seahawks |
AFC Championship | Bills vs. Chiefs | Chiefs vs. Browns |
Super Bowl | Buccaneers vs. Bills | Chiefs vs. Seahawks |
Super Bowl Champion | Buccaneers | Chiefs |
2021 Season Awards
Aalap | Quinten | |
MVP | Patrick Mahomes | Josh Allen |
Coach of the Year | Brandon Staley | Pete Carroll |
Comeback Player of the Year | Dak Prescott | Jameis Winston |
Offensive Player of the Year | Christian McCaffrey | Christian McCaffrey |
Defensive Player of the Year | Aaron Donald | Khalil Mack |
Rookie of the Year | Trevor Lawrence | Justin Fields |
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year | Justin Fields | Justin Fields |
AP Defensive Rookie of the Year | Patrick Surtain | Jaycee Horn |
First Head Coach Fired?
While this is an odd prediction to make, and you hate to see anyone lose their job, it's the reality of the business. Nevertheless, both Quinten and I made our predictions. My prediction was that Mike Zimmer gets axed on Black Monday after failing to make the playoffs yet again. Meanwhile, Quinten predicts that Bengals' third-year HC -- and Sean McVay disciple -- Zac Taylor gets the boot from Cincinnati first.
What Do You Think?
Lets us know in the comments or on Twitter what you think of our predictions. Feel free to share your thoughts, comments, or concerns with us.
