Browns close out transaction season ranked fifth in TLOD power rankings

Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.

I’ve always been against NFL power rankings. Bill Parcells said it best. “You are what your record is.”

Very simple concept.

During a season, my No. 1 team in the power rankings is the one with the best record.

At the end, my No. 1 team is the one that wins the Super Bowl. No. 2 is the team that loses the Super Bowl. Nothing else really matters.

But there is one time power rankings make sense to me and that time is now, right after the draft, the virtual end of the transaction season, and before the teams get to training camp.

So here are my one-and-only NFL power rankings for the 2021 season:

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 13-4 projected record.

Most Super Bowl champions suffer losses in the ensuing transaction season. They didn’t lose any coaches and brought everybody back for a second year under Tom Brady.

2. Kansas City Chiefs, 13-4.

Completed an overhaul of their offensive line almost overnight.

3. Baltimore Ravens, 12-5.

Their running game and special teams overcome other weaknesses.

4. Buffalo Bills, 12-5.

Wrote the blueprint on stopping Lamar Jackson.

5. Cleveland Browns, 12-5.

No team had a more productive transaction season.

6. San Francisco 49ers, 11-6.

Lots of talent if healthy, but they will miss defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.

7. Los Angeles Rams, 10-7.

Can Matthew Stafford make up for defensive losses John Johnson, Troy Hill and coordinator Brandon Staley?

8. Green Bay Packers, 10-7.

Obviously, this depends on Aaron Rodgers returning with a chip on his shoulder.

9. Los Angeles Chargers, 10-7.

Sneaky good on offense after offensive line reinforcements and new coaching.

10. Washington Football Team, 10-7.

Added a decent quarterback to a powerful defense.

11. Indianapolis Colts, 9-8.

Somebody has to win the AFC South.

12. Miami Dolphins, 9-8.

I’m skeptical about Tua Tagovailoa staying free of injury.

13. Dallas Cowboys, 9-8.

Healthy Dak Prescott with that offense might lead league in points.

14. Seattle Seahawks, 9-8.

Russell Wilson has carried them to playoffs in eight of his nine seasons.

15. Tennessee Titans, 9-8.

They peaked with a 2,000-yard rusher and lost their creative offensive coordinator.

16. New Orleans Saints, 9-8.

Another coach embarks on life after a quarterback legend.

17. Arizona Cardinals, 9-8.

A good team stuck in a killer division.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers, 9-8.

They didn’t do enough to improve the offensive line.

19. New England Patriots, 8-9.

A hodge-podge roster built around uncertain quarterback situation.

20. Minnesota Vikings, 8-9.

The Kirk Cousins era comes to an end. “How do you like me now?”

21. Las Vegas Raiders, 7-10.

Jon Gruden should do whatever he can to trade for Aaron Rodgers.

22. New York Giants, 7-10.

Critical year for QB Daniel Jones falls short of what they need.

23. Atlanta Falcons, 7-10.

They’ll score more points than any team not in the playoffs.

24. Carolina Panthers, 7-10.

They’re on the right track, but Sam Darnold will need a full season to decompress from his Jets years.

25. Chicago Bears, 7-10.

I just don’t see the plan, other than, “Let’s try another quarterback.”

26. Denver Broncos, 7-10.

Vic Fangio is another example of a great defensive coordinator being promoted beyond his skill set.

27. Cincinnati Bengals, 7-10.

Joe Burrow is real, but Zac Taylor is not. Time to speculate about the next Bengals head coach.

28. Detroit Lions, 6-11.

You would think new coach Dan Campbell would try to smash-mouth his way to respectability. But they’re not built to do that.

29. Philadelphia Eagles, 5-12.

GM Howie Roseman has been de-geniused.

30. New York Jets, 5-12.

Lots of respect for new coach Robert Saleh. This will take time.

31. Jacksonville Jaguars, 5-12.

Good thing they play the Texans twice.

32. Houston Texans, 1-16.

They avert record for losingest season in NFL history.