NFL 2022 Preview

 We're almost at the start of another exciting season of NFL football!  I have 32 teams to examine, so let's jump right into it!

AFC East

1.  Buffalo Bills (12-5 overall/5-1 division) : The Bills are loaded for bear on offense, and some excellent defensive additions make them strong on that side of the ball.  A run for the conference title is possible.  QB Josh Allen has some excellent targets, and the running game is solid.

2.  Miami Dolphins (6-11/4-2) : Tua's development has slowed, but the offense is still good.  The line, though, needs some shoring up.  I expect the Dolphins to use at least three QBs this season, and all three will spend time on the IR list.  At least a strong defense will keep them competitive.

3.  New England Patriots (6-11/3-3) : The glory days in Foxboro are gone, but they still have capable players who work well together.  They just can't produce the magic, and fourth quarter comebacks will be hard.

4.  New York Jets (4-13/0-6) : Joe Flacco has incentive to play well in Week 1, as they play the Ravens, but the Ravens will look to take him down.  With a weak offensive line, he will get caught.  with him injured, the Jets do not have a decent backup, so the Jets will flounder until he returns.

AFC North

1.  Cleveland Browns (12-5/4-2) : This team has packed themselves with tons of talent.  They need to get them working together.  If they do, this team is the favorite in a division that is down this season.

2.  Baltimore Ravens (11-6/4-2) : A strong defense and a quick and sneaky offense makes them tough, but perhaps their best squad is special teams.  They will turn a couple of games around with that squad.

3.  Pittsburgh Steelers (5-12/3-3) : What were they thinking, making Mitch Trubisky  their starting QB?  He's good, but he takes too long to make a decision.  I'm not sure the offensive line can consistently give him that much time.  The defense is still solid, and might give the Steelers offense some short field opportunities.

4.  Cincinnati Bengals (5-12/1-5) : QB Joe Burrows has talent, but his receiving corps is not sharp.  They are definitely better designed for a running game, but how far can that carry them?

AFC South

1. Tennessee Titans (9-8/5-1) : Ryan Tannehill has a limited set of talented receivers.  This team is definitely set up to be a running team.The defense took some losses, so there are question marks about how strong their defense will be.

2. Houston Texans (6-11/4-2) : The offense looks pretty thin.  The defense is good, but not as strong as it has been in previous years.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13/2-4) : The team still needs to give Trevor Lawrence better tools.  Some improvement on defense, but this defense had nowhere to go but up.

4. Indianapolis Colts (4-13/1-5) : Offense has some good talent, but a restructured line will make it hard for that team to establish a rhythm.  Strong defensive secondary, but the line has questions.

AFC West

This is clearly the best division of the conference, and will likely provide three playoff teams.

1.  Kansas City Chiefs (14-3/5-1) : This is clearly the most talented team in the conference.  If they can reduce costly errors and rein in Mahomes enthusiasm, so he doesn't make so many risky throws, this team could win the conference.

2. Las Vegas Raiders (12-5/4-2) : Their offense benefits from some acquisitions, but the defense might have taken a step backwards.  Not a big step, mind you, but they might lose a couple of close games that they could have won.

3. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6/3-3) : The Chargers still have a strong line and great corners, but the secondary might be a bit of an issue.  Offense is capable, and set up for short to medium gains that chew up lots of clock.

4. Denver Broncos (4-13/0-6) : The Broncos return to their roots with a strong slate of running back, and even a mobile QB.  Russell Wilson has some good receiving tools, but a thin bench means injuries will kill them.

NFC East

1. Dallas Cowboys (9-8/5-1) : Strong defense and stellar offense makes this team look good on paper, but they have NO planned backup for QB Dak Prescott!  THAT is a dangerous situation.

2. Philadelphia Eagles (7-10/2-4) : Strong defensive line, but the offensive line isn't quite as strong.  Jalen Hurts will be running out of the pocket,  Wide receiving corps is thin, so that is a concern.

3. Washington Commanders (6-11/3-3) : The offense counts on the pass, as their running game si weak.  Defense needs some work, so this team will need long pass plays and an offensive game plan to outscore opponents.

4. New York Giants (5-12/2-4) : This team is still rebuilding.  Defense is looking better, except the line has some questions.  Offense is weaker.

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers (13-4/5-1) : They shored up their offensive line to help protect Aaron Rodgers, so the Pack is dangerous.  Bench is still a bit thin, so injuries can still hurt them, but the bench is better than a few years ago.

2. Chicago Bears (12-5/4-2) : The defense is good, but these aren't Monsters of the Midway.  Justin Fields has improved, and Trevor Siemian is really good.  The receivers are young, but they are improving.  This team will get better as the season progresses.

3.  Minnesota Vikings (11-6/3-3) : Kurt Cousins has this offense moving, and the front office has given him some helpful tools.  Defense is improved, but the secondary seems a little slow, so they might be vulnerable to big plays.

4.  Detroit Lions (5-12/0-6) : Jared Goff still needs better receivers to work with.

NFC South

1.  Tampa Bay Bucs (13-4/5-1) : This is a high-powered offense.  Defense is strong, too, so this team is a major force.

2.  New Orleans Saints (12-5/4-2) :One of the few teams with a better slate of tight ends than wide receivers, they live off short yardage.  That usually gives them the edge in time of possession, and allows their defense to stay rested.

3.  Atlanta Falcons (4-13/2-4) : Marcus Mariota has decent receiversm but they aren't outstanding.  Cordarrelle Patterson gives them a solid running game, but they need more than that, even with an improved defense.

4.  Carolina Panthers (3-14/1-5) : RB Christian McCaffrey remains the best player on the whole team, which is not a good situation.

NFC West

1. San Francisco 49ers (9-8/4-2) : Trey Lance won the starting job, and everyone is high on him.  The defense will help ensure he doesn't have to come back from a large deficit, which helps Lance get comfortable.  How far the 49ers go will depend upon how quickly Trey Lance gets comfortable.

2. Los Angeles Rams (9-8/4-2) : Matthew Stafford has a great slate of receivers.  The offensive line is a bit porous, so he'll have to target them quickly.  The defense is good, but not outstanding.

3. Seattle Seahawks (7-10/3-3) : Geno Smith and Drew Locke have a slate of inexperienced receivers, so a strong running game will be important. There defense will keep games close, but they might lose more of those than they'd like.

4. Arizona Cardinals (6-11/1-5) : Kyle Murray has some good receivers, but a weak line gives him very little time to throw.  The defense has holes, too.