The MLB postseason picture is starting to come into focus. I’m wearing sweatshirts when I go out at night. Apple cider and pumpkin spice are soon to be the flavors of choice for every man and woman from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon. In other words, the NFL season is nearly among us, so I took it upon myself to predict the standings of every division, the entire postseason, and the 2022 All-Pro team.
DIVISIONAL PREDICTIONS
AFC NORTH:
- Baltimore Ravens
The roster is loaded, healthy, and itching to redeem themselves. The AFC North is Baltimore’s to take.
- Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati’s run to the Super Bowl was pretty lucky, but hardly a fluke. The roster is talented and should make the playoffs again.
- Pittsburgh Steelers
There’s plenty of potential for the Steelers season to run awry, but if the defense plays up to its high standard and rookie Kenny Pickett (if he’s even the starter) exceeds expectations, maybe Pittsburgh can sneak into the Wild Card Round again.
- Cleveland Browns
Without knowing how much of the 2022 season Deshaun Watson will miss, it’s very hard to estimate the Brown’s success. But it seems as though a lengthy suspension is inbound, and that could be more than enough to sink their campaign.
AFC EAST:
- Buffalo Bills
They have the best roster in the NFL and stars at nearly every position. To not win the division would be an utter failure for this team.
- Miami Dolphins
The roster certainly has flaws, but the highs are very high. Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill are an electric duo at receiver, and the defense continues to be amongst the best in football. With Tua taking the step forward that Mike McDaniels might foster out of him, the sky’s the limit for Miami.
- New England Patriots
They certainly aren’t the Patriots of old. Mac Jones is certainly a viable starter, but a shortage of weapons on the offense and some leaders from the defense departing are exploitable weaknesses that could lose the Patriots one too many games.
- New York Jets
They are on the way up, but they’re still a few years out from contending. Zach Wilson may not be the quarterback of the future for this team, and until that issue is solved (either by Wilson’s growth or finding his replacement), I can’t see New York as a playoff team.
AFC SOUTH:
- Indianapolis Colts
The Colts were a quarterback away from making the playoffs last season, and now they have their man in Matt Ryan. He’s far closer to the end of his career than the prime of it, but last season showed he still has enough in the tank to win.
- Tennessee Titans
It’s hard to find arguments against this Titans squad. The reigning AFC 1 seed has a superhuman at running back, an elite pass rush, and a young but talented secondary. The loss of AJ Brown at receiver is a shot to the offense, but Treylon Burks can step in to fill the spot.
- Jacksonville Jaguars
Well, things certainly can’t get worse, can they? With Doug Pederson at the helm to mold Trevor Lawrence and a plethora of playmakers to work with, the Jags offense can truly start to uncover its potential. They’ll probably still be bad, though.
- Houston Texans
Maybe still the worst team in the NFL. Davis Mills was a fun rookie watch, but he’ll need to be more than that if Houston wants to be close to competitive. I’m intrigued to see if Derek Stingley Jr. can live up to the enormous expectations he fostered at LSU.
AFC WEST:
- Kansas City Chiefs
No longer having Tyreek Hill is no small thing, but the offensive line has become dependable, and any offense that has both Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce is liable to explode any given week.
- Los Angeles Chargers
The Khalil Mack trade has potential to turn the Chargers defense into something fierce. Him and Joey Bosa on the line and a secondary that has JC Jackson and Derwin James roaming around in it is a scary proposition. Oh, and Justin Herbert is pretty good too, I suppose.
- Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders roster still has holes, but it’s just star studded enough that it might just sneak into the playoffs once again. I’m interested to see the kind of numbers Davante Adams puts up in an offense where he might not be the end all be all of the offense.
- Denver Broncos
I’m a fan of Russell Wilson’s but his middling performances over the last two seasons can’t simply be swept under the rug. He’s getting older, and with some injuries to his playmakers, it can’t be said for certain if he can play to his former superstar level. It’s not exactly cutting-edge analysis, but somebody has to finish last in this division. The defense also needs to step up and become something more than “good on paper.”
NFC NORTH:
- Green Bay Packers
The offense could be vulnerable with the loss of Davante Adams and a beat-up line, but I trust Aaron Rodgers to be able to elevate the players around him. The elite defense that Packers fans have been desperate for for years may have finally arrived.
- Minnesota Vikings
It’s August, which means it’s time to get excited about the Vikings again. The defense certainly doesn’t inspire fear like it used to, but with a new offense in place, there’s potential for All-Universe receiver Justin Jefferson to blow up his already absurd stats.
- Detroit Lions
The Lions offense looks… pretty good? A great offensive line, TJ Hockenson at tight end, Amon-Ra St. Brown, DJ Chark, and Jameson Williams (whenever he plays) is certainly a servicable receiver room, and Swift and Williams at running back could absolutely round out the depth chart for a playoff-bound offense. The defense is what’s scaring me off of maybe sneaking them into a Wild Card spot.
- Chicago Bears
The Bears are going to be one of the very worst teams in the NFL this season. If Chicago manages to scrap together more than 6 wins, I’ll be pretty surprised. When’s the draft, again?
NFC EAST:
- Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts remains a question mark, but the rest of this Eagles roster is rock solid. Philly figured themselves out as the season went on last year, finishing the regular season on a 6-2 streak, and I expect them to pick up right where they left off. James Bradberry and Darius Slay has to be the best 1-2 corner duo in football, right?
- Dallas Cowboys
I can understand the argument for putting the Cowboys at first in the division, but I’m not completely sold on the Dallas offense. The loss of Amari Cooper hurts, the offensive line has questions every year, and Zeke seems to no longer be the superstar he once was. Maybe Dak having a rebound season and the defense carrying the squad could give them the division, but I am willing to sell on that position.
- New York Giants
There’s potential for the Giants to have a turn-around season with the offense healthy again and a talented front seven, but we still don’t know for sure if Daniel Jones is any good and the secondary has potential to unravel the defense. Maybe Brian Daboll can turn Jones into a Josh Allen-lite, but I’ll believe it when I see it.
- Washington Commanders
Like Chicago, Washington will be lucky to pull together more than a half-dozen wins this season. If Carson Wentz couldn’t lead Indianapolis, a roster that put him in a much better situation, to the playoffs, I have no faith he can bring the Commanders to only their second playoff appearance since 2015.
NFC SOUTH
- New Orleans Saints
The Big Bad Wolf of this division is the Bucs, but I think the Saints have the tools to dethrone them. The proof is in the pudding, as the Saints have had Tampa’s number in the regular season ever since Tom Brady showed up. The offense is revitalized with the return of Jameis Winston and Michael Thomas, and the defense very well may be the best in the NFL. If this team can stay relatively healthy, the NFC South just might be theirs to lose. Will Alvin Kamara ever be suspended? Hell if I know.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Betting against Tom Brady is to court criticism, and for good reason, but I have my reasons. Some changes on the offensive line could throw a wrench in the offense’s torrid production and some losses on the defense may be just enough to knock Tampa down a notch. They’ll still absolutely be NFC contenders, but the Bucs may be due for some regression.
- Carolina Panthers
The Panthers could be a team that turns some heads in 2022. Baker Mayfield has a chip on his shoulder, and with some legitimately very talented pieces surrounding him, the offense could finally rise above average for the first time in far too long. If that offensive line can manifest into something somewhat reliable and the defense can transform into the strength of the team (that depth chart ain’t bad, ya’ll…), the Panthers forcing their way into the playoff picture isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
- Atlanta Falcons
How is it that every division in the NFC has one team that is notably worse than the other three? Success for Atlanta this year is winning a handful of games, Kyle Pitts becoming an unquestionable top-three tight end in the NFL, and Desmond Ritter showing some promise. Win Twice, Draft Bryce!
NFC WEST:
- Los Angeles Rams
As the defending champions, the Rams have earned the benefit of the doubt. OBJ seems as though he isn’t returning to LA and Robert Woods is out in Tennessee, but if Les Snead thinks Allen Robinson can fill those shoes, I’ll believe him. No more Von Miller? Good thing they signed Bobby Wagner! Matt Stafford’s elbow really hurts? Just tell me he’s ok and I’ll believe you.
- San Francisco 49ers
If Trey Lance was a surefire guy under center, I’d probably have San Fran on top of the NFC West. Alas, we know almost nothing about the man, and as such I can’t know how the offense will function this season. The defense, on the other hand, will be the lifeblood of this team. The front seven is absolutely stacked, and Jimmie Ward is still the top dog of the secondary. If the Niners nearly made the Super Bowl with an injured Jimmy G under center, they’ll once again be a serious NFC threat unless Lance is a disaster.
- Arizona Cardinals
There has been much ado about Kyler Murray and the future of the Cardinals this offseason, which has made it very easy to forget that the roster is very talented. It, however, is far from flawless. Kyler Murray was quite bad last we saw him, and DeAndre Hopkins will be absent for the first six games of the season. The offseason acquisition of Rondale Moore was likely made with this in mind, but it can’t be ignored that the Cardinals are 3-4 without Hopkins since 2020. The secondary also desperately needs to step up. Despite being passed on the 10th fewest times of any team, Arizona allowed the 8th most passing touchdowns in 2021. That just can’t be if Arizona wants to be taken seriously in the NFC.
- Seattle Seahawks
The defense might not be too bad for Seattle, but I refuse to invest emotionally at all in a team that will be starting Drew Lock or Geno Smith at quarterback. Uchenna Nwosu and Jordyn Brooks just might be the best segment of the roster this year.
THE 2022 NFL PLAYOFFS
WILD CARD ROUND:
NFC:
(2) Los Angeles vs (7) Dallas
The defense is likely to be the stronger unit for the Cowboys this season, but it’s prime for regression from last season’s incredible highs. A vicious, high-flying offense led by Matt Stafford does Dallas in, and continues the Cowboys postseason woes.
LOS ANGELES WINS
(3) New Orleans vs (6) San Francisco
Both these defenses should be among the very best in football, so this contest should come down to which offense can execute at a higher level. Trey Lance very well may have a good season, but the rookie won’t be able to keep up with a loaded Saints offense in a very hostile playoff Superdome atmosphere.
NEW ORLEANS WINS
(4) Philadelphia vs (5) Tampa Bay
It’s a rematch of last year’s 2-7 matchup, but now the Eagles get to host the Bucs. Unfortunately for them, it does not make a difference. Philly is set to have an exciting, resurgent season, but the Bucs have an elite roster. Tom Brady has unexpectedly made a habit of playing in the Wild Card round in recent seasons, but is 2-1 in these games in the last 3 years. He’ll make it 3-1 here.
TAMPA BAY WINS
AFC:
(2) Baltimore vs (7) Cincinnati
A playoff game between AFC North rivals sounds like a knock-down, drag-out fight to me, and I see Baltimore as the team more suited to win that kind of game.
BALTIMORE WINS
(3) Kansas City vs (6) Miami
The Kansas City defense is finally starting to show a few cracks. I’m hardly convinced of Tua’s ability to carry this team to much, but with the swath of talented players around him, this Miami team is more than capable of making some noise this postseason.
MIAMI WINS
(4) Indianapolis vs (5) Los Angeles Chargers
Maybe I’m a fool, but I believe in the Chargers (again). A superstar young quarterback with a deluge of stars on the offense and defense? What’s not to love! Being excited about the Chargers has burned me before, but I’m ready to get hurt again.
Bonus Fun Fact! After not happening once since 1979, this would be the second time in four years that both the Chargers and the Rams both make the Divisional Round.
LOS ANGELES WINS
DIVISIONAL ROUND:
NFC:
(1)Green Bay vs (5) Tampa Bay
Another round, another familiar foe for Tampa Bay. Including this matchup, this will be the fourth time that Green Bay and the Bucs have faced each other in the last three seasons. Tampa has won both of the games that have happened so far, and unfortunately for my fellow Packer fans, I don’t see history tilting in our favor here. Tom Brady’s absurdly stacked receiving corp wins out in a titanic matchup with the Green Bay secondary and catapults them to the NFC Championship.
TAMPA BAY WINS
(2) Los Angeles vs (3) New Orleans
It’s time for another chapter in the completely uncontroversial playoff history between the Saints and the Rams! If the Saints are as good as I expect they could be this season, I think this game could be a toss-up. As such, I’m going to pick this one by which team would be a more fun matchup against the Bucs in the Championship. Having a rematch with the Rams to avenge a loss that nearly capped Brady’s career could be interesting, but the Saints-Bucs rivalry has been given new life since Tom arrived in Tampa. A Saints vs Buccaneers NFC Championship in the Superdome? Yes please.
NEW ORLEANS WINS
AFC:
(1)Buffalo vs (6) Miami
Miami is going to be a fun watch, but for any team to beat Buffalo this season, they’re going to need to maintain a rapid pace on offense. The Dolphins offense is talented, but until I can feel more certain of Tua, I don’t know if the defense will be capable of keeping the team from sinking.
BUFFALO WINS
(2) Baltimore vs (5) Los Angeles
Lamar will have done everything in his power to bring the Ravens this far, but they simply don’t have enough on offense to power past the Chargers. Justin Herbert has all the tools (both physically and in the talent around him) that he needs to ascend to a transcendent player. This postseason can be his launching pad into superstardom, and he’ll take advantage of the opportunity.
LOS ANGELES WINS
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND:
NFC:
(3) New Orleans vs (5) Tampa Bay
The Saints and the Buccaneers can match up with each other well at nearly every spot. The Bucs offensive skill players are a deep unit, but so is the Saints secondary. Alvin Kamara is a lethal tool for the offense, but the Tampa linebackers have earned a reputation as perhaps the best run-stuffing unit in football. The notable discrepancy, however, is at quarterback. Do I think Jameis Winston will have a great season after a promising start to 2021? Sure. But do I trust him to outplay Tom Brady, easily the most successful postseason player in the history of football, when a spot in the Super Bowl is on the line? No.
TAMPA BAY WINS
AFC:
(1)Buffalo vs (5) Los Angeles
It’s been a magical run for the Chargers to get here, but it ends like most Cinderella runs do: at the hands of a far superior team. Bosa and Mack could wreak some havoc on the Bills offensive line, but Josh Allen is more than equipped to counteract any pressure that forces him out of the pocket. Expectations for Buffalo are sky-high, but there’s good reason for it.
BUFFALO WINS
SUPER BOWL LVII:
Tampa Bay vs Buffalo
Now this is a Super Bowl I could get behind. Two totally loaded teams oozing with talent at every position clash in a matchup that’s nearly impossible to find an edge for either team in is exactly how every season should end. On a narrative level, however, it gets even juicier. For so long, Tom Brady’s Patriots utterly dominated the Bills to the tune of a 32-3 record. But now, they can get vengeance on the man that haunted their franchise for nearly two whole decades on the biggest stage in American sports. It’s too perfect. It’s like something from a movie where the bad guys get what’s coming to them and the good guys save the day and get a medal from the President. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. The Bills don’t mess it up.
BUFFALO WINS SUPER BOWL LVII
THE 2022 NFL ALL-PRO TEAM
OFFENSE
QB: Josh Allen, Buffalo
Allen ended his 2021 campaign on a thermonuclear hot streak. Will he be able to keep up that pace for a whole regular season? Almost certainly not, but if he can be anywhere close to as good, he’ll easily be the top passer of the season.
RB: Derrick Henry, Tennessee
Henry was on pace to make a mockery of the single-season rushing record before a foot injury ended his regular season. I imagine a player like Derrick Henry doesn’t need much in the way of extrinsic motivation, but this would certainly provide it if he does.
WRs: Justin Jefferson, Minnesota; Stefon Diggs, Buffalo; Jaylen Waddle, Miami
Justin Jefferson is, without a moment’s hesitation, a top-three receiver in the league. Even in the talent heavy receiver group of today’s NFL, he’s a safe bet to be an All-Pro. If Josh Allen has as good of a season as I think he might, he’s probably bringing Stefon Diggs along for the ride. I suppose this would make both the Vikings and the Bills winners of the Stefon Diggs trade. New Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniels has publicly stated his interest in getting rookie sensation Jaylen Waddle the ball even more, and his notable YAC ability might be enough to push him into First-Team status.
Let me defend some notable absences here. Ja’Marr Chase is a baller and will have a stellar sophomore year, but I expect Tee Higgins to take a step up, which could cut into Chase’s numbers. Furthermore, Davante Adams is the best receiver in the league, but the Vegas offense has a deeper complement of weapons than Green Bay did, and as such may not be leaned upon as much. A drop in his otherworldly stats could be enough to see him fall from All-Pro status in a loaded wide receiver group.
TE: Darren Waller, Las Vegas
To be honest, this is more of a “I really want it to happen” pick. Tight end is a surprisingly loaded position in the NFL these days which makes trying to pick who will become the top dog for any given season a fool’s errand. Darren Waller can certainly be considered amongst the cream of the crop when he’s at his best, and the tale of his NFL ascension is a feel-good story. I’d love to see him have a huge season after an injury-riddled 2021.
T: Trent Williams, San Francisco; Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay
If left tackle had the same positional value as quarterback, Trent Williams would have won the 2021 MVP in a landslide. Retaining a playing pace anywhere close to what he did last season will see him easily return to the All-Pro team. If you want an illustration of how crucial Wirfs is to the Tampa Bay offense, watch how it falls apart after his injury against the Rams late in the Divisional Round last season. He may well be the best RT in the league already, and with some changes to the line, the Buccaneers will need him more than ever.
G: Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis; Zack Martin, Dallas
He had an off-year, but Nelson was still amongst the very best guards in the league. I see a return to the precipice of the NFL in store for him. Zack Martin is the best RG in the game, and I have no reason to think he will fall off in any meaningful way.
C: Corey Linsley, Los Angeles Chargers
Linsley had a great first season with the Chargers, but Los Angeles falling out of contention as the season wrapped up likely didn’t help his chances of making the All-Pro team. A potential step-up for the Chargers offense would do wonders for Linsley’s All-Pro odds.
DEFENSE
EDGE: Myles Garrett, Cleveland; Nick Bosa, San Fransisco
Myles Garrett was on pace to at least be a realistic choice for DPOY before his injury impacted his playing time and ability to disrupt the quarterback. Look for him to have a bounce-back season. I thought Nick Bosa was worthy of being an All-Pro this last season, and sometimes these end-of-season awards come a year later than they should have.
IDL: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams; Emmanuel Ogbah, Miami
Aaron Donald being named to the All-Pro team has become as typical a mid-January event as me failing my New Year’s Resolution, and that won’t change in 2022 outside of some freak injury. Ogbah led the Dolphins with 9 sacks in a season in which the Miami pass rush would become one of the very best in the league. An improved offense that can stay on the field for longer should help the defense even more, and I expect Ogbah to take full advantage of the extra rest. This one is a long shot, but a list like this without a dark horse candidate or two is very boring.
LB: Micah Parson; Dallas, Roquan Smith, Chicago(?); DeMario Davis, New Orleans
Parsons was a legitimate DPOY candidate in his first year, but don’t be surprised if he’s even better in 2022. I put Smith here before he requested a trade out of Chicago, but I’ll keep him here anyways. There are some contending teams that could use an off-ball linebacker (hello, Baltimore?), and his high-level play on a team with primetime appeal could be just what the doctor ordered for a well-deserved All-Pro appearance. The Saints defense was the bright point during an otherwise forgettable 2021 campaign, and DeMario Davis was the very best piece of the unit. With – hopefully – not as much pressure falling on the defense to carry the team, Davis will have an outstanding season and receive his rightful place on the All-Pro team.
CB: AJ Terrell, Atlanta; Jaire Alexander, Green Bay
Terrell was the biggest snub of the 2021 All-Pro team, but a second straight incredible season will be too much for the voters to ignore. Jaire Alexander missed the vast majority of last year with a shoulder injury, but a full, healthy 2022 will place him firmly back in the minds of fans everywhere as one of the few truly elite corners in the game.
S: Micah Hyde, Buffalo; Jevon Holland, Miami
Micah Hyde is one of the most physical, sure-tackling safeties in the league and arguably the better part of the Bill’s safety duo, which is the best in the NFL. Jevon Holland, despite his rookie status, was one of the best players on a Dolphins defense that held opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of only 85.4, amongst the very lowest in the league. His teammates and coaches alike heap praise onto him, and his second year in the league will see him ascend into one of the very best players at his position.
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