Week 1 AP NFL Power Rankings: Bucs rightly maintain top spot

WE MADE IT! WE ACTUALLY MADE IT!

First of all, I want to say a huge congratulations to all of you for making it through the past few months. As we’ve recently found out, losing a Super Bowl actually makes you even hungrier for football. The more you want something to happen, the longer it takes.

But finally...

Winter, spring and now summer have all passed, meaning we sit here on the cusp of the greatest season of them all: football season. And football season also means it is time for power rankings!

With the additional staff at Arrowhead Pride, there will be more votes this season. While more votes means my individual vote may be worth less, it is probably a good thing, considering some of the crazy rankings from last year. (Cough, Stags, coughs).

This week’s voters were Pete Sweeney, Ron Kopp Jr, Matt Stagner, Jared Sapp, Stephen Serda, Rocky Magana, Bryan Stewart and myself.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tom Brady isn’t a fan of the new jersey numbering system. It appears that Mr. Brady and I share more than just first names.

2. Kansas City Chiefs

This former amateur tight end is very excited to see Andy Reid roll out some four-tight end sets.

3. Buffalo Bills

The second-best in the AFC, but let’s be honest, they are closer to the third-best than they are the Chiefs.

4. Green Bay Packers

The Packers managed to keep hold of Aaron Rodgers — all it took was for them to trade for Randall Cobb?

5. Cleveland Browns

Jadeveon Clowney and Myles Garrett can’t wait to take advantage of offensive guards; have they seen who plays there for KC?

6. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are finding out very quickly that Sammy Watkins has injury problems.

7. Los Angeles Rams

Is it totally crazy to imagine Matt Stafford winning the MVP this year?

8. Seattle Seahawks

They will make the playoffs — nothing more, nothing less.

9. San Francisco 49ers

Please stay healthy. Football is better when this 49ers team is fully healthy.

10. Los Angeles Chargers

Derwin James is going to be a problem, Chiefs Kingdom.

11. Tennessee Titans

Will losing Arthur Smith make a difference in Ryan Tannehill’s production? Time will tell.

12. New Orleans Saints

Thankfully, Jameis Winston won the job.

13. New England Patriots

If, and it’s a big if — Mac Jones works out, then the Patriots could be a force in the AFC.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers

Mike Tomlin buys the Steelers at least seven wins — they will be in the playoff mix.

15. Miami Dolphins

Tua certainly won’t have any excuses this season; his wide receiver room is stacked.

16. Dallas Cowboys

Hard Knocks was boring.

17. Washington Football Team

This team is going to win games in the trenches. I’m ready for some old-school football.

18. Indianapolis Colts

Does anyone know what is actually happening with Carson Wentz at the moment?

19. Arizona Cardinals

Is Kyler Murray to have a fantasy football season for the ages?

20. Atlanta Falcons

Kyle Pitts + Calvin Ridley = chaos for opposing secondaries.

21. Minnesota Vikings

I wonder if Justin Jefferson will have a new celebration, this year?

22. Chicago Bears

If Matt Nagy rolls with Andy Dalton and then consequently misses out on the postseason, then his head will almost certainly be on the chopping block.

(Author’s note: That might have been the first time I have ever used the word consequently. Go me.)

23. Carolina Panthers

When was the last time CMC wasn’t the first player taken in a fantasy football draft?

24. Denver Broncos

If Teddy wants to prove that he can be a long-term starter in the NFL, then he has the perfect situation in Denver to prove so.

25. New York Giants

If you listened to the last episode of the Great British Chiefs Show, then you would have heard Brad and I make a bet about the Giants' potential for a good year. I’ll put it this way: I am not confident about their chances... at all.

26. Cincinnati Bengals

Equally excited and terrified for Joe Burrow this season.

27. Las Vegas Raiders

Now or never time for Carr, Mayock and Gruden.

28. Philadelphia Eagles

I’ve sat here for 10 minutes trying to find something to type about this team. That should explain everything.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars

For a minute there, it appeared Tim Tebow might actually make the team as a tight end — well until he played a game, that was.

30. New York Jets

I’m so excited to watch Zach Wilson play; this team will be fun.

31. Detroit Lions

Must be hard to be excited for the season right about now.

32. Houston Texans

Tyrod Taylor has been named the starter; Hopefully, he can avoid what happened prior to last year’s game (against the Chiefs).