It's time to kick off the 2022NFL season, one that is sanguine to be enthralled with momentous highs and sterile lows. From Thursday until January 11th, 272 regular season games will of football will clamor television sets across the country. Fans have set their fantasy lineups and survival pools, dusted off their fan gear, and are salivating their favorite teams' offseason purchases. As perusal, 32 teams enter, but only 14 qualify for the playoffs, with the last man standing holding court in fansville, raising the coveted Lombardi Trophy from February 8th in Arizona and throughout the offseason. So who do I think will win it all? Glad you asked because here are my predictions for the upcoming season.
AFC EAST:
BUFFALO BILLS- 14-3
MIAMI DOLPHINS- 10-7
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS- 9-8
NEW. YORK JETS- 4-13
Buffalo will run roughshod over the AFC East for a third straight season as they have their sights set on something more than a divisional crown, perhaps dethroning. Kansas City Chiefs have eliminated them from the postseason the last two years. The 13-second defensive lapse that ultimately proved to be the dagger for them in Arrowhead last year will preponderate over them until it's refined. The signing of former Super Bowl MVP Von Miller brings vitality and aplomb to the secondary. Meanwhile, QB Josh Allen seeks his coveted MVP award and has Gabe Davis and Stephon Diggs by his side for support. The time is now in Buffalo, and Bill's mafia is ready for it. A middling division should aid Buffalo's title chase. Though improved with the acquisition of Tyreke Hill to be alongside Jaylen Waddle and catch Tua Tagovailoa, and the head coach hiring of Mike Mcdaniel, there remains a myriad of internal discrepancies within the Dolphins. This offseason, owner Stephen Ross was suspended and fined $1.5million for violating NFL tampering rules and allegedly told ex-coach Brian Flores to lose games purposely. Miami is on schedule with their remodeling, but the tedious offensive line needs adequate development, with the hope being this year is where they'll show flashes of the contender they're on track to be in a year or two. New England was cowed by Buffalo in the wild-card round last year, yet it was seen as a successful run by Bill Bellichek and CO, considering the youth on the team. This offseason, renovations included reprieving Matt Patricia and Joe Judge of their dumpster fires with the Lions and Giants and acquiring Devante Parker, who will provide a steadfast target for QB Mac Jones, looking to build on an encouraging 2021 campaign.
Last but not least, the NFL's laughingstock is the Jets. This franchise can't catch a break, resulting in continuous setbacks. QB Zach Wilson will miss the first month due to a knee injury he sustained in the preseason opener, budding star center Mekhi Becton will miss the season with an ACL tear, and WR Denzil Mims has reportedly demanded a trade. Braxton Berrios and Sauce Gardner are fun, but that's about it.
AFC NORTH:
BALTIMORE RAVENS 11-6
CINCINNATI BENGALS 10-7
CLEVELAND BROWNS 6-11
PITTSBURG STEELERS 5-12
After a three year hiatus, the division crown will reside in Raven's nest again. JK Dobbins and Lamar Jackson are fully healthy this time, and the team proved last season by hovering around .500 before finishing 8-9 that they have enough depth to back up their stars. There's something to be said for being AFC champions, and those were Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. Joe Burrow and his sidekicks Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd will only get better and charge the offensive production onward, but the question is, can the defense do the same? They proved themselves worthy of doing so in the playoffs, but league-wide adjustments have transpired and, over a regular season, can reshape their identity if they let it get to them.
On paper, Cleveland should win the North. Myles Garret, Jadeveaon Clowney, and Denzel Ward are ferocious defenses, while Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, and Dernest Johnson are. The problem? Newly acquired QB Deshaun Watson has been suspended 11 games due to his frowned upon off-the-field issues, and Jacoby Brisset doesn't strike much fear into anyone.
As for the Steelers, it's the beginning of a new era as the future hall of Famer and two-time Super Bowl champion Ben Roethlisberger enters Mitchell Trubisky at QB. The Steelers will take a bit to regain relevance, but they're already spending wisely. Defensive stalwarts TJ Watt, Cameron Hewd, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and kicker Chris Boswell are here to stay, while WR Diaonte Johnson agreed to a deal where he nets $27 million guaranteed to stay in the burg.
AFC SOUTH:
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 10-7
TENNESSEE TITANS 9-8
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 7-10
HOUSTON TEXANS 0-17
Matt Ryan isn't what he used to be in Atlanta, but he's serviceable. He can be relied upon by Indy fans, especially with the #1 ranked RB on fantasy boards in Jonathan Taylor, star receiver Micheal Pittman JR, and a top 10 offensive line, backstopped by the equivalent of that defensively. Tennessee was stonewalled by
the upstart Bengals in the divisional round last season, despite nabbing the one seed at 14-3. This year, they're out to prove the 19-16 divisional-round defeat at the hands of the AFC champion Bengals was a fluke. The acquisition of Robert Woods should aid the WR corps, who're looking to sizzle along with RB Derrick Henry. The Jaguars enter the fray as an ambitious team with hopes of establishing their foundation in QB Trevor Lawrence, WR James Robinson, and Travis Etienne JR, as well as the newly acquired 25-year-old Christian Kirk, who should fit right in, reveling a player on the rise.
Last year I predicted the Lions to go 0-17, and it looked likely would happen. This season, the Houston Texans are my pick to be the worst NFL team of all time as they colander through their plans as an organization, now that Deshaun Watson is officially gone. QB David Mills had a draconian gild to 2021, but the arduous 2022 slate conceives an atavism campaign for him.
AFC WEST:
CHIEFS 13-4
CHARGERS 12-5
BRONCOS 9-8
RAIDERS 8-9\
After a heinous end to the 2021 season, falling in the AFC championship game to the Bengals, the Chiefs revamped their offense and conciliated the losses of Tyreke Hill with Juju-smith Schuster and Marquez Valdes_Scantling, so no actual regression here. They'll be as lethal as you expect, led by QB Patrick Mahomes.
Los Angeles was seconds away from a playoff berth last year before they signed cornerback JC Jackson to a five-year $82.5million deal in free agency and lured all-pro edge rusher Kahlil Mack. But the debut of the duo will have to wait as JC will be out 2-4 weeks due to an ankle injury to start the season. However, LA still sports the depth in offseason acquisitions Sebastian Joseph-day, Austin Johnson, and Morgan Fox to wear down the challenges the AFC West will present early and often. With a baleful offense led by Justin Herbert, the Chargers look to "Bolt" over the playoff line this year. The Broncos have renounced themselves with Russel Wilson as their new QB, meaning it's on the defense to see them reach their patented potential.
Vegas went grand and signed WR Davante Adams to a five-year $141. million deal, also retaining all pro-CB Chandler Jones and kicker Max Crosby. Although they squeaked into the playoffs last season, it was primarily due to Daniel Carlson's great leg. If. they don't answer internal questions such as consistent play, they're not lucking out twice, especially with their formidable competition.
PLAYOFF TEAMS:
BILLS
CHIEFS
RAVENS
COLTS
CHARGERS
BENGALS
DOLPHINS
NFC EAST:
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 11-6
DALLAS COWBOYS 9-8
NEW YORK GIANTS 5-12
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS 3-14
Yep Welcome to the Jalen Hurts breakout show. The QB has had an entire season under his belt. The fact he's supported plus backstopped by vigorous offensive and defensive lines means Philly is ready for any war. Adding WR AJ Brown suits the corps and adds to the team a guy that can fly.
Up in Big d, questions have lingered about Dak Presscot's offensive line, and Ezekiel Elliot is entering his last year of guaranteed money on his contract with concerns about whether he can play all 17 games without getting injured. The bug has hit LT Tyrone Smith, whose surgically repaired hamstring puts him out for at least half the season, which was something the team couldn't afford, having said their goodbyes to WR Amari Cooper, guard Connor Williams(MIA), and offensive tackle Lael Collins(CIN).
In East Rutherford, Giants fans are ready to embrace the tank as the team rebuilds following their failed Dave Gettelman-Joe Judge experiment. Joe Schoen is the new GM, and Brian Dabbol is the new coach, which places the "hot seat" label on QB Daniel Jones, who's got one more shot to prove he can potentially be a "Giant" NY figure.
The Commanders won't "Command" anyone's attention despite the new name, and It looks as if Carson Wentz is currently a stopgap option until someone can stop their yearly revolving door.
NFC NORTH:
GREEN BAY PACKERS 14-3
MINNESOTA VIKINGS 11-6
DETRIOT LIONS6-11
CHICAGO BEARS. 3-14
The road to a Packers Lombardi begins with formally winning the NFC North spearheaded by two-time reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers, a strong running game, and a defense that wreaks havoc on the NFC. The question remains, though, will it accumulate to a title? Only time will tell. Minnesota tasked coach Kevin O Connel with leading this team to the playoffs, led by the three-headed monster of Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, and Justin Jefferson, who are poised to light up the scoreboard this year. The downfall will be their middling defense, but they'll do enough to have this team in the postseason.
The same is implausible for the Lions and Bears, still developing talent. That said, those two Jared Goff Vs. Justin Field battles this year will be appointment TV for NFL fans.
NFC SOUTH:
TAMPA. BAY BUCCANEERS 12-5
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 6-11
ATLANTA FALCONS 5-12
CAROLINA PANTHERS 4-13
Tom Brady is back after a 40-day retirement meaning another year of championship aspirations for Tampa Bay. Their rival Saints will lean on Jamis Winston again at QB and have Dennis Allen at the helm, recommended by retiring hall of fame worthy coach Sean Payton. The Panthers took a flyer on Baker Mayfield, trading a fifth-round pick for the QB, who'll start in the season opener ironically against his former team from Cleveland after Sam Darnold was gruesomely injured in the preseason and will miss 4-6 weeks. Conclusively, the youthful Falcons saw the Matt Ryan era end with no amends following their 28-3 blown lead in Super Bowl 51. Marcus MARIOTA has promptly taken over and has a vibrant core around him in Kyle Pitts and Drake a London. Defensively, AJ Turrel and Dean Jones should lead a fructifying secondary.
NFC WEST:
LOS ANGELES RAMS 13-4
SAN FRANSISCO 49ERS 12-5
ARIZONA CARDINALS 10-7
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 2-15
The Rams are the reigning champs, winning in their stadium, so naturally, they're first here and have brought the pieces back to repeat while potentially adding Allen Robinson and LB Bobby Wagner. Out in the bay, the 49ers have overcome their QB drama and will have Trey Lance leading the charge with Jimmy Garrapalo ready to back him up in the event of injury or spontaneous regression. San Francisco came within minutes of a second straight NFC conference win, and Kyle Shanahan will do whatever it takes for another crack in the big game come February following their collapse to the Chiefs in 2020 and lost to the eventual champion Rams in 2021.
The Cardinals' depth will be tested with the absence of Deandre Hopkins, suspended for six games due to PEDs, garnering integrity questions about him and the team.
The Legion of boom has completed the transformation to that of doom as trading away Russel Wilson signaled the end of an era in Seattle. The idea of Geno Smith starting in week 1 tells you that Drew Lock is no "Lock" to lead this franchise back into contention. It will be a long winter for the fans, but at least they have the budding Mariners making a playoff push and the Kraken in their sophomore NHL season.
PLAYOFF TEAMS:
PACKERS
RAMS
BUCS
EAGLES
49ERS
VIKINGS
CARDINALS
WILD-CARD ROUND:
AFC:
CHIEFS OVER DOLPHINS
RAVENS OVER BENGALS
CHARGERS OVER COLTS
NFC:
RAMS OVER CARDINALS
BUCS OVER VIKINGS
49ERS OVER EAGLES
DIVISIONAL ROUND:
AFC: BILLS OVER CHARGERS
RAVENS OVER CHIEFS
NFC:
49ERS OVER PACKERS
BUCS OVER RAMS
CONFERENCE FINAL:
AFC: BILLS. OVER RAVENS
NFC: BUCS OVER 49ERS
SUPER. BOWL:
BUCS OVER BILLS
SUPER BOWL MVP: TOM BRADY
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