2022 NFL Predictions

 It’s football time again, baby!  The National Football League begins its 103rd season on Thursday with the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams hosting the team that could take the next title, the Buffalo Bills.  There was no shortage of drama in the offseason, with Tom Brady briefly retiring, a slew of quarterback trades, and even announcer shake-ups.

Can the 2022 season be as wild and unpredictable as 2021 was?  We shall see.

So, who’s going where?

NOTE: Asterisk * denotes wild card.

National Football Conference:

EAST:

1. Philadelphia Eagles (10-7)

Overcame a 2-5 start to make the playoffs last year, and the arrival of A.J. Brown from the Titans should help Jalen Hurts take the next step.  Their division rivals are not especially strong so they should come out on top.

2. Dallas Cowboys (8-9)

What the hell has this team done since 1996?  In that time frame, the Jaguars have made three conference championship appearances to the Cowboys’ zero.  In the meantime, this team suffered a crushing playoff loss last season, and Mike McCarthy is on the hot seat.  Look for the Cowboys to crash and burn.

3. Washington Commanders (7-10)

I don’t think Carson Wentz can take these guys to the next level.  Also, Dan Snyder.

4. New York Giants (3-14)

Aside from Saquon Barkley, is there a more boring team in the NFL than these guys?

NORTH:

1. Green Bay Packers (11-6)

If not for 2010, Aaron Rodgers would be this generation’s Dan Marino: a guy who puts up amazing stats in the regular season, only to fall short in the playoffs.  With Davante Adams gone, the Packers look to be going backwards, but still the division’s best.  Still, don’t expect Rodgers to carry a weakened roster far into the postseason.

2. Minnesota Vikings (9-8)*

With Super Bowl winning assistant Kevin O’Connell on board, the Vikings should be improved, perhaps just enough to make the playoffs.

3. Detroit Lions (6-11)

If only the Lions had the talent to match the infectious energy of coach Dan Campbell, they could win the Super Bowl.

4. Chicago Bears (4-13)

Justin Fields looks like a bust, and the team wants to move out to the suburbs.

SOUTH:

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-4)

Tom Brady is back, and even with his offensive line decimated by injury, his presence alone can the the Bucs back to the Super Bowl.

2. New Orleans Saints (9-8) *

Nearly made the playoffs in first year of post-Brees era, and Alvin Kamara on offense along with a good defense might be good enough to make it.

3. Carolina Panthers (6-11)

Baker Mayfield, Christian McCaffrey (if he’s healthy), and not much else.

4. Atlanta Falcons (3-14)

Matt Ryan is gone and Atlanta will circle the drain even further, despite Kyle Pitts’ best efforts.

WEST:

1. Los Angeles Rams (12-5)

Went all-in to win Super Bowl LVI on their home field last season, and needless to say, it worked out.  Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Aaron Donald, among others, give the Rams a decent shot at repeating.

2. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)*

The Trey Lance era has begun in earnest, and with all the talent the Niners have on both sides of the ball, another deep playoff run is not out of the question.

3. Arizona Cardinals (9-8)

Collapsed after looking like of the NFL’s best teams for much of the season.  Also, can Kyler Murray be motivated and not play video games so much?

4. Seattle Seahawks (6-11)k

Russell Wilson will be missed.  Pete Carroll may also be retiring soon.

Playoff Seeds:

1. Buccaneers

2. Rams

3. Packers

4. Eagles

5. 49ers

6. Vikings

7. Saints

Playoffs:

Wild Card:

Rams over Saints

Packers over Vikings

49ers over Eagles

Divisional:

Rams over Packers

Bucs over 49ers

NFC Championship:

Bucs over Rams

American Football Conference:

EAST:

1. Buffalo Bills (15-2)

The team to beat, at least as far as I’m concerned.  Josh Allen leads one of the most electrifying offenses in the league, and the defense is bolstered by the addition of Von Miller and return of Tre’Davious White from injury.  This could be the year Buffalo has waited a lifetime for.

2. Miami Dolphins (10-7)*

Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are dangerous at wide receiver, the defense is anchored by Xavien Howard, and Mike McDaniel can help Tua develop.  If the latter doesn’t happen, the Dolphins will be seeking a new quarterback in 2023.

3. New England Patriots (8-9)

The last vestiges of the Patriot empire may be crumbling, as demonstrated in last year’s playoffs, when they could not even slow Josh Allen.  With Bill Belichick refusing to use a proper offensive or defensive coordinator, things might be looking downward in Foxborough.

4. New York Jets (2-15)

They’re the Jets. Next!

NORTH:

1. Baltimore Ravens (11-6)

Last year, the Ravens missed the playoffs while suffering injury after injury.  The big question now is it Lamar can get paid.  With or without a contract, he can take the Ravens far, assuming that everyone can remain healthy.

2. Cincinnati Bengals (10-7)*

Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase keyed a shocking run to the Super Bowl last year, and the offensive line is vastly improved. They may have punched a bit above their weight, but the Bengals remain a dangerous opponent.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-9)

Big Ben is gone, and soon it will be Kenny Pickett’s turn.  The Steelers got incredibly lucky to reach the playoffs last year.  T.J. Watt and his 22.5 sacks last season give the Steelers a certified game-wrecker, but the offense has too many question marks.  Also, Heinz Field is now…Acrisure Stadium?  Acrisure who?!

4. Cleveland Browns (5-12)

I hate them for trading for Deshaun Watson, football’s R. Kelly. You should too.

SOUTH:

1. Indianapolis Colts (10-7)

Missed playoffs last year with shocking loss to Jaguars, but Matt Ryan and Jonathan Taylor can take this team to the top of a weak AFC South, and maybe even on an upset run.

2. Tennessee Titans (9-8)

Suffered shocking Divisional loss to Cincinnati as the 1 seed, and even with Derrick Henry back I see them regressing.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-11)

It can’t get any worse than the Urban Meyer disaster, but Super Bowl champion coach Doug Pederson can help Trevor Lawrence live up to his potential.

4. Houston Texans (4-13)

Still going nowhere.

WEST:

1. Denver Broncos (13-4)

My dark horse (no pun intended) pick to win perhaps the best division in the league right now.  Roster was already filled with rising young talent before Russell Wilson arrived.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (11-6)*

Still formidable with Patrick Mahomes, but his supporting cast is no longer what it was.  Will he become the Rodgers of the AFC?

3. Las Vegas Raiders (10-7)

Overcame so many obstacles to make last season’s playoffs, and Davante Adams could make their offense dangerous.  Problem is, so is their division.

4. Los Angeles Chargers (9-8)

On paper, they look like one of the NFL’s best teams, with Justin Herbert, Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack among others.  But they find ways to lose.

Playoff Seeding:

1. Bills

2. Broncos

3. Ravens

4. Colts

5. Chiefs

6. Bengals

7. Dolphins

Playoffs:

Wild Card:

Broncos over Dolphins

Ravens over Bengals

Chiefs over Colts

Divisional:

Bills over Chiefs

Broncos over Ravens

AFC Championship:

Bills over Broncos

Super Bowl LVII:

Bills over Bucs

A classic showdown in the Arizona desert between Brady and Allen comes down to the wire.  With the game tied late, Allen guides the Bills into field goal range, where Tyler Bass drills the kick with no time left, exorcising the ghost of Scott Norwood.  The Bills are Super Bowl Champions and Buffalo has their biggest party ever!

Enough predicting.  Let’s get it on!!!