Packers at No. 3 in early 2021 NFL power rankings

After another strong season, the Green Bay Packers will enter 2021 as one of the top contenders in the NFL.

Despite falling just short of the Super Bowl for the second consecutive season, the Packers again showed why they are one of the best teams in the NFL and that should again be the case next year.

With the offseason now underway for every team in the league following the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ dominant Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, the focus switches to 2021.

NFL Spin Zone’s way-too-early power rankings for the 2021 season by Randy Gurzi are out and, unsurprisingly, the Packers are near the top. Green Bay comes in at No. 3 in the power rankings.

Take one look around the NFC and it’s easy to see why the Packers should be one of the top contenders.

Aaron Rodgers is coming off an MVP season. Davante Adams and David Bakhtiari were both first-team All-Pros and key to the offense ranking No. 1 in scoring. Pro Bowler Elgton Jenkins has become one of the best offensive linemen in football. Bakhtiari could miss the start of the season due to injury but all four players will be back in 2021.

New defensive coordinator Joe Barry has lots of young talent to build his defense around. Za’Darius Smith is a two-time Pro Bowler, Jaire Alexander a first-team All-Pro. Adrian Amos, Darnell Savage, and Rashan Gary are all talented young players who can help this defense take a step forward in 2021.

While there could be a bounce-back season for the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams should improve with Matthew Stafford at quarterback, the New Orleans Saints could drop out of contention if Drew Brees retires.

The defending-champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be the team to beat in the NFC, but the Packers should be one of the top challengers in the conference once again.