After years of mortgaging the future and struggling to keep up with the contenders, the New England Thunderbirds had things break their way this season and emerged with a championship, their 3rd overall.

Their biggest reason for success was the superstar season of WR Cooper Kupp, who was consistently targeted more than anyone in the league and always seemed to pay it off. Also, a shrewd trade for the versatile Deebo Samuel, as well as getting RB Ezekiel Elliott, gave New England a strong and deep core which was the key to winning without a superstar quarterback. Now let’s see if this is the beginning of another run of success for the Thunderbirds, or if the always dangerous Clowns (among others) will snatch the title back next season.

Here are the 2021 all-stars:

1st Team

QB: Josh Allen, St. Louis

RB: Jonathan Taylor, Oakland

WR: Cooper Kupp, New England

WR: Deebo Samuel, New England

TE: Mark Andrews, Springfield

Flex: Austin Ekeler, New York/New Orleans

Flex: Joe Mixon, Detroit

K: Greg Zuerlein, Springfield

2nd Team

QB: Tom Brady, Oakland

RB: Ezekiel Elliott, New England

WR: Davante Adams, Lincoln

WR: Justin Jefferson, New Orleans/St. Louis

TE: Travis Kelce, New Orleans

Flex: Najee Harris, Springfield

Flex: Nick Chubb, New York

K: Justin Tucker, Las Vegas

All-Rookie Team

RB: Najee Harris, Springfield

RB: Javonte Williams, Lincoln

RB: Elijah Mitchell, Las Vegas

WR: Ja’Marr Chase, Las Vegas

WR: Devonta Smith, Oakland

WR: Elijah Moore, Washington

TE: Kyle Pitts, Las Vegas

Players of the Month

September

QB: Tom Brady, Oakland

RB: Derrick Henry, Oakland

WR: Cooper Kupp, New England

TE: Travis Kelce, New Orleans

October

QB: Tom Brady, Oakland

RB: Derrick Henry, Oakland

WR: Cooper Kupp, New England

TE: Mark Andrews, Springfield

November

QB: Justin Herbert, Washington

RB: Jonathan Taylor, Oakland

WR: Deebo Samuel, New England

TE: Travis Kelce, New Orleans

December

QB: Josh Allen, St. Louis

RB: Javonte Williams, Lincoln

WR: Cooper Kupp, New England

TE: Mark Andrews, Springfield