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#3 - Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are officially back as NFL favorites, thanks to their current four-game winning streak. They just held the Dallas Cowboys to nine points in a 19-9 Week 11 victory that proved this defense is no longer a pushover. In fact, the unit has not allowed more than 17 points in a game during their streak.
This is a necessary formula for success in the NFL because Patrick Mahomes cannot play like a hero each and every week. He is looking more human in general this year; in that, he has legendary performances, only to regress a bit in subsequent games. For example, Week 11 saw him throw zero interceptions after throwing five a week prior against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Chiefs entered the NFL season as top contenders and fell a bit in the public eye with a 3-4 start. Yet they have clearly rebounded and should be favorites to win the AFC.
#2 - Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are handling their current situation in a perfect way. Kyler Murray began dealing with an ankle injury three weeks ago, and the team made the decision to go with Colt McCoy as the starter. They did not rush Murray back, and the result has been a 2-1 stretch with McCoy under center.
The Cardinals are now 9-2, which is the best record in the NFL. The fact that they have won without Murray and DeAndre Hopkins proves how deep this team is in 2021. Remember, they are also without J.J. Watt for the remainder of the season as well.
The biggest remaining test for Arizona comes in two weeks in a Monday night game against the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams are only one loss behind the Cardinals in the standings, and this game could clinch the division for Arizona if they can win. At the same time, it will show if they are truly top of the class in the NFC.
#1 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the defending NFL champions, and they let the New York Giants know that the hard way Monday night. Tom Brady and company easily forgot their past two losses and cruised to a blowout win.
Yes, the Cardinals have a better record than the Buccaneers. But Brady simply cannot be counted out and has proven that over the past two decades. He threw for two touchdowns Monday night and connected with Rob Gronkowski six times as the tight end made his return. Tampa getting healthier is just bad news for the rest of the NFC.
The win to get the Bucs to 7-3 gives them a two-game lead over the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South. That is a nice cushion with seven games remaining and the team seemingly back on track. Fans may remember that Tampa fell all the way to 7-5 last season. They did not lose again the rest of the way en route to a Super Bowl victory. Perhaps their recent losing streak will represent the same NFL trend again in 2021.
