2021-2022 NFL Preseason Week 1 Power Rankings: The Top 5

  • The Super Bowl betting favorites Kansas City Chiefs (+500) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+625) hold the top two spots.
  • The Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans round out the top five as some of the best bets in the league.

LAS VEGAS – The top team in the league is almost universally labeled as the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it gets a little foggy after that. Some common names like the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens make an appearance while a potential surprise finishes the list.

No. 1 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Despite having the second-shortest odds (+625) to win the Super Bowl, it’s tough to doubt the reigning Super Bowl champions as the top team in the league, especially when the team is set to return all starters from the previous season. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ranked seventh in yards gained and sixth in yards allowed, one of only two teams to place inside the top 10 in both categories along with the Green Bay Packers.

Tom Brady, entering 44-year-old season, is coming off of one of his best years as a professional athlete in which he recorded 4633 yards and 40 touchdowns. If that was the case in his first season in a new system in 20 years, online gambling sites may be underestimating what the team can accomplish with some extra reps in the book.

Buccaneers Futures Odds

  • To Win Super Bowl +625
  • To Win The NFC +315
  • To Win NFC South -200

No. 2 – Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs likely take the top spot in many rankings, but being second isn’t too bad either. The Chiefs have arguably the most talented offense in the league with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill and thus were the only team in the NFL to record 400+ yards per game in 2020.

The question marks for the Chiefs were the defense and offensive line, but after overhauling the offense line, many believe it’s one of the best units in the league. However, the reason why Kansas City falls to No. 2, is their defense.

The defense in Arrowhead was one of the worst in the NFL in 2018 but has steadily been getting better since, however, the unit remains league-average at best. The offense is likely good enough to bail out the team in most situations, but it’s still an exploitable part of the roster.

Chiefs Futures Odds

  • To Win Super Bowl +500
  • To Win The AFC +260
  • To Win AFC West  -275

No. 3 – Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills gained 396.4 yards per game in 2020, the second-most in the NFL. They also had the second-highest scoring offense in the league. Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs made up what could’ve been the most lethal duo in the NFL, and with the addition of Emmanuel Sanders, the team could have an even more explosive offense.

From top to bottom, there might not be a more well-rounded roster. The defense, while nothing special in 2020, has one of the top corners, a solid safety duo and a respectable line that should improve.

Bills Futures Odds

  • To Win Super Bowl +1300
  • To Win The AFC +600
  • To Win AFC East -150

No. 4 – Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens dealt with some injuries a season ago but were still able to record a league-leading 191.9 rushing yards per game. The offensive line may have gotten even better from last season and the additions of Sammy Watkins, Rashod Bateman and Tylan Wallace along with the development of Devin Duvernay should help Lamar Jackson in the passing game alongside the respected weapons of Mark Andres and Marquise Brown.

Baltimore’s defense is arguably their greatest strength. The team allowed just 18.9 points per game, second-best in the league, and allowed the seventh-fewest yards per game as well. Those betting on the NFL can find some favorable prices on the Ravens as they are listed behind other top teams despite the gap possibly being closer than anticipated.

Ravens Futures Odds

  • To Win Super Bowl +1400
  • To Win The AFC +650
  • To Win AFC North +115

No. 5 – Tennessee Titans

The fifth spot could’ve easily gone to the Packers or Browns, but the Tennessee Titans are well deserving of a spot in the top five. Despite rushing the ball on 50.28% of their offensive snaps, the Titans put up 394.6 yards per game last season, the same as the Bills.

The Titans are being slept on, possibly because of the departure of Arthur Smith, but the addition of Julio Jones to an already elite offense might make up for it. Not that any person off the street could do it, but it doesn’t take an offensive genius to make a Derrick Henry, Julio Jones, A.J. Brown offense work.

The defense is a little weak on paper in terms of pass rush, but Bud Dupree could help fix that issue. The Titans could prove to be one of the best bets in the NFL as they have longer odds than every other team in these rankings.

Titans Futures Odds

  • To Win Super Bowl +2500
  • To Win The AFC +1400
  • To Win AFC South -130