NFL analyst John Vogel explains his NFL power rankings ahead of the 2021 season.

This year, I’m introducing a less traditional style of NFL power rankings and projecting the 2021 season my way. My raw power rankings are based completely on team skill and depth, relying less on star power and more on the core position groups.

By the end of August, my complete NFL power rankings set will be revealed, based on these rankings and the schedules that the teams will play. By projecting each matchup, we can gather how competitive each team will be in 2021.

This is a simple formula. Each positional group in the NFL is ranked from 1-32. Using a weighted average, we calculate the average rank of the positional groups on the team. The positional groups also use special teams and coaching staff to help accurately grade the teams.

Now, without further ado, here are my NFL power rankings for the 2021 season.

The Raw NFL Power Rankings

1. Cleveland Browns
2. New England Patriots
3. Los Angeles Rams
4. Kansas City Chiefs
5. San Francisco 49ers
6. Buffalo Bills
7. Baltimore Ravens
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9. Dallas Cowboys
10. New Orleans Saints
11. Tennessee Titans
12. Seattle Seahawks
13. Green Bay Packers
14. Las Vegas Raiders
15. Carolina Panthers
16. Washington Football Team
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
18. Chicago Bears
19. Indianapolis Colts
20. Minnesota Vikings
21. Arizona Cardinals
22. Philadelphia Eagles
23. Miami Dolphins
24. Denver Broncos
25. New York Giants
26. New York Jets
27. Los Angeles Chargers
28. Cincinnati Bengals
29. Detroit Lions
30. Atlanta Falcons
31. Jacksonville Jaguars
32. Houston Texans

Projected Division Winners and Playoff Spots

AFC East: New England Patriots
AFC North: Cleveland Browns
AFC South: Tennessee Titans
AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs

AFC 7 seeds:

1. Cleveland Browns
2. New England Patriots
3. Kansas City Chiefs
4. Tennessee Titans
5. Buffalo Bills
6. Baltimore Ravens
7. Las Vegas Raiders

NFC East: Dallas Cowboys
NFC North: Green Bay Packers
NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFC West: Los Angeles Rams

NFC 7 seeds:

1. Los Angeles Rams
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3. Dallas Cowboys
4. Green Bay Packers
5. San Francisco 49ers
6. New Orleans Saints
7. Seattle Seahawks