56 Bold NFL predictions for 2021 season
52. Trey Sermon finishes as a top 5 rusher as a rookie
It’s felt like the 49ers have been able to produce consistent rushers no matter who they line up in the backfield. Now that running back group has changed and it’s basically just rookie Trey Sermon and veteran Raheem Mostert in the mix. But the latter has had difficulty staying healthy and might be a big-play threat. Sermon, however, is perfect for Kyle Shanahan’s zone running scheme and, as he takes over the majority of the work, he’ll thrive and be among the NFL’s top-five rushers.
51. Washington Football Team falls short of NFL Playoffs
After making the playoffs by dubiously winning the NFC East last year, there is hype building for the Washington Football Team in 2021 after signing Ryan Fitzpatrick and bolstering the offense. Sure, they have plus-odds to make the playoffs and the second-best odds to win the division. However, the Football Team is going to fall short. FitzMagic is going to make splashes but lack consistency and Washington will fall short of the postseason.
50. Julio Jones hits double-digit touchdowns with Titans
Throughout his time in Atlanta, Julio Jones clearly established himself as a premier NFL wide receiver. For whatever reason, though, he struggled to get into the end zone as often as you’d expect.
In fact, Jones has only one season with double-digit touchdowns, scoring 10 all the way back in 2012. With Tennessee for the first time in his career, that will change. Jones will star opposite A.J. Brown and end up with a career-high in receiving touchdowns.
49. Marcus Mariota ends 2021 as the Raiders starter
Don’t get me wrong, Derek Carr has never been the problem with the Raiders as they’ve been stuck in mediocrity since Jon Gruden arrived. He’s actually been a top-half quarterback in the league. But Las Vegas is going to have troubles this year as they didn’t fix any of their real issues in ways that matter. That’s going to lead to malcontent within the organization, which will lead fickle Gruden to bench Carr and give Marcus Mariota run as the starter.