Predictions for the 2022 NFL Season

After a long offseason the NFL season is finally upon us. This season will surely provide some fireworks, and it all starts on Thursday.

Here are some predictions for the 2022 season:

The Raiders make the Playoffs

The Raiders were busy this offseason, adding a multitude of talent on both sides of the ball. But, arguably their biggest acquisition was hiring Josh McDaniels to be their head coach. He might have failed in his first go-around as a head coach, but history will not repeat itself in Vegas. McDaniels is poised to take this Raiders offense to a new level, and it will occur quicker than people think. The offense is headlined by newly acquired wide receiver Davante Adams. The addition of Adams could make this Raiders offense a top-five unit in the NFL. Along with the Adams, the Raiders also bring back tight end Darren Waller and slot receiver Hunter Renfrow. The trio of Adams, Waller, and Renfrow will give defensive coordinators fits. I’m also expecting Derek Carr to have a career season in Josh McDaniels’ offense. He’ll be limiting mistakes and putting the Raiders in a position to win. The defense should also be able to generate some pressure up front. Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones combined for 18.5 sacks last season. Expect them to come after quarterbacks.

Don’t be surprised when the Raiders have some success in an already crowded AFC West.

The Cardinals take a step back

Last season, the Cardinals were off to a 10-2 start. Many called them the favorites in the NFC, they looked poised for a deep playoff run. But, as they have done in previous seasons, they faded down the stretch. After the 10-2 start, the Cardinals finished 1-5, and then proceeded to get demolished by the Rams in the first-round of the playoffs.

The offseason in Arizona was filled with drama surrounding Kyler Murray’s contract extension, followed by the leak of the famous “homework clause.” It’s clear that even after the extension, the front office and Murray aren’t on the same page. The Cards will be without DeAndre Hopkins for the first six games of the season, leaving Marquise Brown, Zach Ertz, and AJ Green as the leading pass-catchers. The defense allowed more than 30 points in four of their last six games, and I can’t see that unit coming together. They have a BRUTAL schedule, and I just can’t see them winning more than seven games.

Justin Jefferson wins the Triple Crown

*Image: Brace Hemmelgarn / USA TODAY Sports*

Leading the league in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions, isn’t easy. There has only been two Triple Crown winners since the year 2000. Steve Smith won it with the Panthers in 2005, and Cooper Kupp just won it last year with the Rams. We’ve seen receivers flirt with the Triple Crown many times, but many have not been able to seal the deal. But, I’d give Justin Jefferson the best chance to do so in 2022.

Last season Jefferson finished fourth in receptions (108), second in receiving yards (1,616), and sixth in touchdown receptions (10). Entering this season, Jefferson at only 23 years old, has a new offense, and a new scheme led by new head coach Kevin O’Connell. It’s the same scheme in which Cooper Kupp won the Triple Crown in last year. Jefferson and quarterback Kirk Cousins already have great chemistry, and I’d imagine that they take it a step forward in 2022.

Justin Jefferson is going to ball out this season.

The Ravens stay healthy and win the AFC North

The Ravens were badly hit by the injury bug in 2021. It was a big reason why the team finished with a losing record for the first time since 2015. They lost a multitude of starters on both sides of the ball, including Marcus Peters, J.K. Dobbins, Marlon Humphrey, and many others. There’s no way that the Ravens are that injury-ridden in 2022. I expect them to win the AFC North and to flirt with the number one seed in the Conference. Lamar Jackson will have a bounce-back season, and be in the MVP conversation.

The Ravens will surprise people.

Tom Brady’s last season does not end with a Super Bowl appearance

Tom Brady seemingly made waves every step of the way this offseason. From his retirement, to his unretirement, to the tampering allegations with the Dolphins, to missing 11 consecutive days at Training Camp, TB12 has found himself in the news at every turn. I ultimately believe that the 2022 season will be Brady’s last. Brady has talked about playing until age 45 for almost 10 years, and with him finally reaching that milestone, I can’t see him continuing. He’s talked about the work-family balance a lot this year, and even he believes that the end is near. On top of that, Brady has a cushy, lucrative deal with Fox as a broadcaster waiting for him once he hangs it up.

On the field, I think the Bucs will struggle early on this season. With a new head coach, a make-shift offensive line, and banged up pass-catchers, I could see the Bucs start off slow. I think they’ll ultimately win the NFC South and win 11 games, but I don’t think that the Bucs will look like how they did in 2020 or 2021. But, with Tom Brady at the helm nothing is impossible and he will rally this team towards the end of the season. I think Tom Brady’s career ends in the NFC Championship, falling one game shy of his 11th Super Bowl appearance.

The Goat.

Russell Wilson’s first year in Denver will be inconsistent

*Image: Aaron Ontiveroz / The Denver Post*

After 10 seasons with the Seahawks, Russell Wilson was traded to the Broncos. The Broncos have been a “quarterback away” over the last few seasons, and adding Wilson finally gives them stability at the position. While I do think Wilson will figure it out, and have success in Denver, I think 2022 will be a little bumpy and inconsistent. I have them finishing with eight wins in 2022. The AFC West is the most-difficult division in football, and Wilson (with a new head coach) will make things difficult out of the gate. I think they could be the team left out of the playoffs in that division, but don’t count them out going forward. Wilson will figure it out, but 2022 might be a season filled with too many transitions.

Jimmy Garoppolo starts at least 4 games for the 49ers

The 49ers don’t exactly have a quarterback competition, it’s clear that Trey Lance will be the starter. But, the decision to bring Garoppolo back into the fold is just awkward and should make Trey Lance feel uneasy. Garoppolo has helped the 49ers get to the NFC Championship game in two of the last three seasons.

Lance is as unproven as it gets, and with Garoppolo looming over him, it could negatively impact his play. I don’t think Lance will be “benched” for Garoppolo but I have a feeling that he’ll be called upon if Lance gets hurt. Garoppolo starting four games for the 49ers this season could happen, especially with Lance’s tendency to take off and run.

The Chiefs will still be the Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have reached the AFC Championship game in four consecutive seasons. They traded Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins, and all of a sudden people are counting the Chiefs out? The Bills have now become the overwhelming favorite to win the AFC and the Chiefs have become an after-thought. Despite the fact that Hill is in Miami, I think the Chiefs will win the AFC West and continue to be a factor in the AFC. Mahomes still has Travis Kelce, and the additions of Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Juju Smith-Schuster are good enough to elevate this Chiefs offense. Mahomes is still Mahomes and is the best quarterback in the NFL. It feels like people forget how good he actually is.

The defense could be a top-10 unit, and will help as the offense adjusts to life without Tyreek Hill. The Chiefs aren’t going anywhere, and will be back in the AFC Championship game for the fifth consecutive season.

The Commanders finish last in the NFC East

The NFC East is far from the best division in football, but I can’t see the Commanders winning more than six games. Carson Wentz is now on his third team in three years. Despite the fact that the Wentz only had seven interceptions last season, the Colts couldn’t move on from him faster. The Colts would rather have 37 year old Matt Ryan under center, than Wentz in his second year in the system. Wentz had a great run game in Indy, he won’t have that in Washington.

The Commanders defense is also suspect, especially with Chase Young scheduled to miss the beginning of the season. I think the Cowboys and Eagles are clearly better than the Commanders, and I think the Giants under Brian Daboll will improve.

Carson Wentz and the Commanders are simply not it.

The Chiefs & Vikings square off in the Super Bowl

I’m one of the few people who don’t have the Bills in the Super Bowl. As stated earlier, I think the Chiefs are a team that has become forgotten. Patrick Mahomes is still under center, and the offensive cast is good enough to get the job done. I have the Chiefs going on the road in the AFC Championship game and beating the Ravens. It’s crazy to even call this pick a surprise, but that’s where we’re at.

In terms of the NFC, I’m going with another surprise. I think the NFC is as wide open as it ever has been. To me, there isn’t a clear cut favorite. Whether it’s Matthew Stafford’s elbow, the Packers young receiving core, the Bucs beat up offensive line, or Mike McCarthy’s inability to succeed under the pressure, every team has questions. I’m going off the board with my NFC pick, and take the Vikings. The Vikings aren’t being talked about as much as they should be. With Kevin O’Connell at the helm, the Vikings will soon be a team to install an offensive scheme similar to what the Rams run under Sean McVay. I think Kirk Cousins will flourish in it, and Justin Jefferson will be the best receiver in the NFL in 2022. With Dalvin Cook still in the fold, I think they’ll be effective in both the pass and run game. With the uncertainty in the NFC, I believe that this Vikings will have the opportunity to take advantage.

So, with the matchup between the Chiefs and the Vikings, I’ll take the Chiefs to win Super Bowl LVII.