BUCS BEGIN AT TOP

1. TAMPA BAY (11-5)

A wild-card team in 2020, the Buccaneers won Super Bowl LV and deserve to be the highest-rated team going into this season.

2. KANSAS CITY (14-2)

With Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes together again, the Chiefs are capable of reaching a third consecutive Super Bowl.

3. TENNESSEE (11-5)

Titans were one of the NFL’s best offensive teams before getting Julio Jones. Need major improvement from the defense.

4. GREEN BAY (13-3)

In what could be Aaron Rodgers’ last season with the Packers, they should be legitimate Super Bowl contenders again.

5. BUFFALO (13-3)

Bills should run away with the AFC East title again. As long as Josh Allen stays healthy, they can reach the Super Bowl.

6. CLEVELAND (11-5)

Its talent on both sides of the ball is as good as that of any team in the league. The question: Can Browns take the next step?

7. L.A. RAMS (10-6)

Matthew Stafford makes their offense more explosive, and he could help the Rams dethrone Seattle in the NFC West.

8. SEATTLE (12-4)

The Seahawks are itching to avenge their home playoff loss to the Rams. With Russell Wilson, they can beat anybody.

9. BALTIMORE (11-5)

If Lamar Jackson can avoid testing positive for COVID-19 a third time, the Ravens might become a Super Bowl contender.

10. INDIANAPOLIS (11-5)

So much of the Colts’ fortunes is riding on Carson Wentz. He’s got a lot to prove after the way his Eagles career ended.

11. DALLAS (6-10)

If Dak Prescott stays healthy and the defense shows substantial improvement, the Cowboys should win the NFC East.

12. NEW ORLEANS (12-4)

Jameis Winston begins the season as the starter, and he’s trying to help the Saints win another NFC South title over the Bucs.

13. PITTSBURGH (12-4)

The Steelers’ collapse last season, including a home playoff loss to the Browns, has them in a rare role as an underdog.

14. MIAMI (10-6)

Dolphins almost reached the playoffs as a wild-card team. So much depends on how Tua Tagovailoa plays in his second season.

15. ATLANTA (4-12)

First-year coach Arthur Smith worked wonders with Tennessee’s offense, and now he gets a chance to do it with Falcons.

16. ARIZONA (8-8)

This is the time for Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray to lead the Cardinals to a playoff berth in the NFL’s best division.

17. NEW ENGLAND (7-9)

Cam Newton was cut, so rookie Mac Jones, the popular choice among Pats fans eager to return to the playoffs, is now the QB.

18. SAN FRANCISCO (6-10)

Jimmy Garoppolo is the starter, but he better stay healthy, because you know Kyle Shanahan is dying to play Trey Lance.

19. WASHINGTON (7-9)

The WFT has a terrific defense and an above-average running game. It needs QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to work his magic.

20. L.A. CHARGERS (7-9)

Justin Herbert is coming off an outstanding rookie year, and if he continues to progress, the Chargers could be a wild-card team.

21. LAS VEGAS (8-8)

This is Jon Gruden’s fourth season, and the Raiders have yet to post a winning record. This is the perfect time to do it.

22. N.Y. GIANTS (6-10)

This is Daniel Jones’ third season, and if he doesn’t improve and show more consistency, they could look for a replacement.

23. MINNESOTA (7-9)

Mike Zimmer could be on the hot seat, and the last thing he needs is to lose games because his players aren’t vaccinated.

24. DENVER (5-11)

Vic Fangio is on the hot seat, and he’s chosen Teddy Bridgewater as his starter over Drew Lock. That decision better work.

25. CHICAGO (8-8)

Andy Dalton is the starter, but everyone knows it’s only a matter of time before Matt Nagy switches to Justin Fields.

26. CAROLINA (5-11)

Matt Rhule wanted Deshaun Watson but ended up swapping Teddy Bridgewater for Sam Darnold.

27. DETROIT (5-11)

It’s strange to think about the Lions without Matthew Stafford. It’s even stranger to think about them with Jared Goff.

28. PHILADELPHIA (4-11-1)

Jalen Hurts knows the Eagles are interested in Deshaun Watson. His job is tough enough without having to worry about a trade.

29. JACKSONVILLE (1-15)

Seldom has a 1-15 team created so much interest, but that’s what has happened with Urban Meyer and Trevor Lawrence.

30. HOUSTON (4-12)

The Texans are rebuilding under Nick Caserio and David Culley. They’re so disrespected they’re underdogs in every game.

31. CINCINNATI (4-11-1)

If the Bengals are going to be better than last season, Joe Burrow has to make a successful recovery from knee surgery.

32. N.Y. JETS (2-14)

They have a rookie coach in Robert Saleh and a rookie quarterback in Zach Wilson. They’ll experience growing pains.