Previewing all 32 NFL teams for the 2022 season: Division-by-division win projections, fantasy targets, outlooks
Previewing all 32 NFL teams for the 2022 season: Division-by-division win projections, fantasy targets, outlooks: The 2022 NFL preseason is well underway, and the final roster cuts are only around the corner. As we begin a new year, where do each of the 32 teams stand? It’s not too late to catch up, so we’re glad you asked.
In honor of the next football season and the next formal race for a Lombardi Trophy, here is a recap of each team’s status for 2022, including their predicted win total over/under (according to Caesars Sportsbook), fantasy players to target, offseason evaluations, and season outlooks.
AFC West
The BRONCOS are putting their faith in a proven winner by signing former Seahawks star Russell Wilson. The irony for Russ is that after 10 years in Seattle’s run-heavy offence, he ends up in Denver, where the rushing attack is led by Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon.
Perhaps the biggest wild card is new head coach Nathaniel Hackett, whose career is so heavily imprinted by Aaron Rodgers’ time with the Packers that it is nearly impossible to separate the two. His defence relies heavily on stars who are prone to injuries, despite the presence of promising young players like DT D.J. Jones and CB Patrick Surtain II (OLBs Bradley Chubb, Randy Gregory).
The CHIEFS are this generation’s version of the Brady-Belichick Patriots; with Andy Reid calling the plays and Patrick Mahomes as quarterback, they can coast through the fall without doing much of anything and still have a chance at the Super Bowl.
With speedster Tyreek Hill now playing for the Dolphins after a trade, though, No. 15 has increased pressure to improve the production of undervalued receivers like Marquez Valdes-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster, or perhaps feed tight end Travis Kelce to an unprecedented degree. This is especially true given their faith in inexperienced players like George Karlaftis and Trent McDuffie to immediately improve a defence that has struggled at times.
The RAIDERS are putting all their eggs in one basket with quarterback Derek Carr, whose tenacity is more impressive than his record of success.
Along with Josh Jacobs and Hunter Renfrow as running back and (quasi-WR) Darren Waller at tight end, the addition of Packers trade acquisition Davante Adams brings hope.
Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby as a pass rush duo also have all-star ability. However, there are many unanswered questions surrounding a squad that has often been compared to the most decadent aspects of its Sin City home. Josh McDaniels, the team’s new head coach, has yet to prove his worth as a program builder, and Carr’s offensive line is, at best, questionable.
In a sense, the CHARGERS can be thought of as a de facto all-star squad. With a dynamic dual threat in Austin Ekeler, a ball magnet in Keenan Allen, a home run hitter in Mike Williams, stud blockers in Rashawn Slater and Corey Linsley, intimidating pass rushers in Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, and young ballhawks in the backfield, Justin Herbert has an unbeatable supporting cast (Derwin James, J.C. Jackson, Asante Samuel Jr.). That coach Brandon Staley, who at age 38 came within four points of a playoff run as a first-timer, would be their biggest concern says a lot.
AFC East
There is good reason (or, rather, one main reason) why the BILLS are getting so much Super Bowl love. Josh Allen is his name, and he’s a quarterback who can make all the plays (much like Patrick Mahomes). Allen’s size, rocket arm, and bulldozing legs are unteachable, and his departure as coordinator Brian Daboll looms large.
The fact that the quarterback has one of the best receiving duos in the NFL in Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis can only benefit the team. Similarly, head coach Sean McDermott’s formidable defence features game-changers at every position (Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer in the secondary, Tre’Davious White on the perimeter, and now Von Miller on the edge).
New head coach Mike McDaniel, who was the offensive coordinator for the run-first 49ers under Kyle Shanahan, is giving the much-maligned young quarterback Tua Tagovailoa his entire backing. Tagovailoa’s early-career marriage to safe throws has left supporters antsy.
With dynamic wide receivers like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle and a deep group of rushers that includes ex-NFC West running backs like Chase Edmonds and Sony Michel, the Chiefs should excel in short-area motion. The formidable defence of veteran captain Brian Flores’s still has its top player, Josh Boyer. It all boils down to the quarterback, the potential of whom is unknown.
The PATRIOTS have taken an unconventional approach to constructing their roster around young quarterback Mac Jones, passing up on flashy additions (such as former Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker) in favour of seemingly doubling down on coach Bill Belichick and his trusted staff’s innate intelligence. Jones will likely rely more on Belichick’s old-school approach to winning, which emphasises the run game, tight ends, and defence, now that offensive genius Josh McDaniels has departed and no clear successor has been selected. The team is stronger at quarterback and wide receiver, but even if Matt Judon stays healthy and the defence finds a way to hold together, Bill Belichick’s roster doesn’t scream title run like it did in years past.
Concerns about new head coach Robert Saleh’s inability to produce a single solid unit in his first year will be erased if the JETS’ second-year quarterback Zach Wilson, who is all athleticism but little polish, can help lead the squad to a breakthrough season in 2021. Statistically, Wilson’s roster looks solid, with improvements made in all three phases of the game: the offensive line, the long-term skill group, and the underrated defence, which received significant upgrades at pass rusher (Jermaine Johnson II), cornerback (Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed), and safety (Keith Robinson) (Jordan Whitehead).
However, Wilson’s reckless behaviour has already harmed him, and Saleh has yet to demonstrate that he can effectively deploy his new and enhanced men.
AFC North
The RAVENS aren’t afraid of Lamar Jackson’s ability to win games on the ground, and they plan to lean even more heavily into the run-heavy system designed around the electric QB this season by trading away their top wide receiver Marquise Brown, bolstering their defensive front, and adding more players to the trenches.
They should continue to be a threat on the ground as long as Jackson and one of their ball-carriers stays healthy. And the defence should get better now that the veterans are in better shape and new players like Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton have added depth to the secondary. However, their destiny may (still) rest on Jackson’s passing trajectory.
BENGALS QB Joe Burrow only has to worry about staying healthy and spreading the ball around to some of the NFL’s most lethal weapons in running back Joe Mixon and receivers Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd. They are back to running the ball after their inspirational run to the Super Bowl.
Even if Cincinnati’s opportunistic defence has some vulnerabilities at corner, they won’t be exploited if Burrow is at the top of his game. Beyond Burrow and standout safety Jessie Bates III’s absence from significant amounts of summer practise, maybe the biggest mystery here is the return of head coach Zac Taylor after some questionable big-game play-calling.
When it comes to their prized QB acquisition, the BROWNS are at the NFL’s mercy. Deshaun Watson, formerly of the Texans, was acquired in a trade, giving the team a possible perennial Pro Bowler as quarterback despite the fact that he may miss the majority of 2022 due to suspension for suspected serial sexual misconduct.
With stars like Nick Chubb and Amari Cooper at running back and up front and all over the defence, backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett should be able to keep them afloat (Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward, etc.). However, Kevin Stefanski is not only focusing on integrating his new starters, but also on defending his quarterback’s integrity.
It’s been nearly two decades since Ben Roethlisberger hasn’t been the STEELERS’ starting quarterback, but this year will be the first. That puts the onus on coach Mike Tomlin, who has never had a losing record in 15 seasons, to coax another stellar performance out of his perennially tough defence. Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt, two disruptive front seven stars, should be able to do the trick.
Big Ben’s replacement, whether it is former Bears starter Mitchell Trubisky or home-town first-round pick Kenny Pickett, is also the centre of attention. As long as RB Najee Harris and TE Pat Freiermuth are on the field, the Steelers will be able to cause short-field damage regardless of who begins or remains at quarterback.
AFC South
The TEXANS seem content to wallow in their own muck, having switched from one old head coach to another despite having a team devoid of more than a handful of recognisable players. Lovie Smith, 64, is the next manager. He is a respected man who hasn’t headed a successful club since 2012.
The young quarterback Davis Mills may be a bright spot due to his poise in shaky situations, but the team’s seeming dedication to a ground game led by a revolving door of free-agent rejects is puzzling. Even the defence, which struggled under Smith in 2021 and is now counting on the injury-prone youngster Derek Stingley Jr. to turn things around, has been overlooked.
Still running the hottest quarterback carousel in the NFL, the COLTS recently swapped out Carson Wentz for longtime Falcons great Matt Ryan. Even if the trade doesn’t significantly improve the position’s potential, it should help coach Frank Reich steady the offence and build on what is likely his greatest accomplishment in Indianapolis: surviving the city’s recent period of upheaval.
Due to the deficiency of their WR group, they should continue to rely heavily on Jonathan Taylor, one of the few real workhorse backs in the league. With high-profile newcomers like Yannick Ngakoue and Stephon Gilmore, the defence should be tenacious under new coordinator Gus Bradley.
The Jaguars are crossing their fingers that hiring Doug Pederson, who was so successful in reviving the Eagles’ program in 2016 and 2017, can do the same for them.
Since his disappointing first season as Urban Meyer’s starting quarterback, former No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence has only one way to go: up. Jacksonville spent a lot of money to bring in new starters, and while not all of them will be worth their salaries, former Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk is one of Lawrence’s more reliable targets. Conversely, the youthful pass rushers Travon Walker and Josh Allen up front may be crucial to the reloaded defence.
The TITANS are one of the NFL’s toughest teams, and their approach of rushing the ball and winning in the defensive trenches à la the Patriots ensures they will be a playoff contender despite their throwback style of play.
Even after an injury-plagued season, no one should deny the incredible Derrick Henry’s continued importance as the team’s primary ball carrier. And their defensive line, led by Jeffery Simmons, may cause havoc. However, their potential is in question due to QB Ryan Tannehill’s recent postseason struggles and the loss of their top wide receiver, A.J. Brown, to the Philadelphia Eagles in a trade.
NFC West
After a dramatic summer that featured a long-term contract for the former No. 1 overall pick, the CARDINALS are putting a lot of faith in quarterback Kyler Murray, whose athletic upside is more encouraging than his late-season finishes in three seasons.
While star wideout DeAndre Hopkins sits out with a suspension, Kliff Kingsbury will rely heavily on veterans James Conner, Zach Ertz, and A.J. Green. More worrisome is the defense’s shakiness, which relies on the efforts of one or two superstars from the team’s past (J.J. Watt) or present (Budda Baker). They have a demanding schedule ahead of them, which bodes poorly for the upcoming year.
The Rams are hoping to defend their Super Bowl title by relying heavily on a defence led by stars like Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, and the recently acquired Bobby Wagner (formerly of the Seahawks).
This is due to the fact that quarterback Matthew Stafford, who improved greatly after leaving the Lions for guru coach Sean McVay in 2021, is currently dealing with elbow problems that may not go away until the end of the season. Although he still has access to an outstanding arsenal, the backfield injuries and Odell Beckham Jr.’s replacement by Allen Robinson change the dynamic between him and target machine Cooper Kupp on the outside.
For as far as Trey Lance can take them, the 49ERS are prepared. The 2021 first-round pick, with all his obvious athleticism and unrefined passing, will have his chance to shine now that head coach Kyle Shanahan is committed to implementing plans to hand the QB keys over from the serviceable but vulnerable Jimmy Garoppolo.
Stars like Trent Williams and George Kittle, as well as the versatile Deebo Samuel, should aid Shanahan in maintaining a consistent ground game. As long as Nick Bosa is rushing off the edge and Fred Warner is roaming the field, the defence should be aggressive as well. What happens down the middle is the most important thing.
The Seahawks are starting a new era without quarterback Russell Wilson, and head coach Pete Carroll has a point to prove. Carroll won a Super Bowl with Wilson at the helm.
Aside from the questionable line, neither Geno Smith nor the more gunslinging Drew Lock warrant much trust as permanent starters, despite the fact that DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are an explosive one-two punch out wide, Noah Fant is an emerging player at tight end, and Rashaad Penny might be fine as Carroll’s next bell-cow ball-carrier. Meanwhile, the “D” has a couple of new starters in Shelby Harris and Uchenna Nwosu, but they’re still very unpredictable off the edge and in the secondary.
NFC East
It’s no secret that the COWBOYS have talent but they’ve been unable to post consecutive seasons with double-digit wins since 1995–1996. It conjures up images of their quarterback, Dak Prescott, a top-10 thrower who has yet to have a major big-game run.
Although Prescott still has explosiveness on his side at the skill positions, primarily through WR CeeDee Lamb, other changes at the position could lead to a greater emphasis on the run game, especially if the “D” remains attracted to the big play thanks to young stars Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs. Meanwhile, Coach Mike McCarthy has the pedigree to motivate, but perhaps not the in-game strategy to back it up.
The GIANTS are in it for the long haul and are hoping that new head coach Brian Daboll, who is best known for developing Josh Allen as the Bills’ offensive coordinator, can get the most out of their young talent.
This includes players like Saquon Barkley, Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney, and even turnover-prone quarterback Daniel Jones. Even though they have some stalwarts in Azeez Ojulari and Dexter Lawrence in their defensive front seven, which should be energised by Kayvon Thibodeaux, the rest of their defence (and maybe even their offence, depending on what happens at quarterback) is set for a makeover in 2023.
By focusing on quarterback Jalen Hurts’ strengths as a runner in the middle of 2021, coach Nick Sirianni hopes to help the EAGLES go from surprising wild-card contenders to real division opponents.
Their stellar line of Jordan Mailata, Jason Kelce, and Lane Johnson in the backfield might keep them in the playoff hunt, and the additions of Haason Reddick and James Bradberry to the defence in the summer have made a huge difference. With former Titans standout A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith manning the outside receiver positions, the team’s success will depend on how much Hurts improves as a passer.
The COMMANDERS are taking a chance that their offensive, which features weapons like Antonio Gibson and Terry McLaurin, can finally find some success with the help of former rival quarterback Carson Wentz and his powerful but dangerous arm.
With Chase Young joining Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen in the front seven, head coach Ron Rivera’s defence is as strong as ever, but the Eagles’ secondary and Wentz’s consistency in the team’s most crucial role remain open questions. Washington has been a competitive team under Rivera, but it hasn’t been a true contender yet.
NFC North
While the Bears say they are “all in” on 2021 first-round QB Justin Fields, they are giving him a suspect offensive line and a sparse receiving corps beyond Darnell Mooney.
New head coach Matt Eberflus, a defensive whiz from the Colts, doesn’t bring much enthusiasm to the running game despite the fact that David Montgomery is at the helm. On defense, Windy City has several promising newcomers (Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker) who could help keep the city’s reputation for tough play intact, but they may be losing their best veteran, Roquan Smith, who is looking to be dealt.
The LIONS are hopeful that the respect and admiration their fiery coach, Dan Campbell, has received despite a disappointing first season can lead to actual success in 2022.
The arrival of wide receivers Jameson Williams and D.J. Chark has given the offence a much-needed boost in speed, and when combined with T.J. Hockenson and Amon-Ra St. Brown, the offensive now has some firepower. QB Jared Goff hasn’t had a strong season in a while, and despite adding Aidan Hutchinson to the pass rush, Campbell’s defence still has major flaws. It’s unclear if the Lions have what it takes to put together a winning streak, despite their fighting spirit.
Aaron Rodgers, 38, is entering what could be his final season as a starter for the Green Bay Packers. The team is banking on him to lead an offence that lost standout wide receiver Davante Adams to another run at the NFC championship. Coach Matt LaFleur has a stellar record in the regular season, and the team could benefit from relying more on the running game with the help of Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon.
But the improved defence might play an equally important role in making up for Adams’ departure. Rookies Devonte Wyatt and Quay Walker are expected to play significant roles, and Jaire Alexander, Darnell Savage, and even Rasul Douglas all contribute by staying close to the ball when they’re at their best physically.
With former Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell taking over for Mike Zimmer, the VIKINGS are slated to continue their status as perennial wild-card contenders, never terrible enough to necessitate a reset but never outstanding enough to chase a title.
This trend is expected to continue at least through 2022. Kirk Cousins, his quarterback, is in the same category as a reliable starter who won’t blow anyone away. However, RB Dalvin Cook and WR Justin Jefferson are among the league’s best weapons, and the Vikings’ defence after the departure of Zimmer actually appears more well-rounded with the additions of Za’Darius Smith and Jordan Hicks to the starting lineup at linebacker to join Eric Kendricks and Danielle Hunter in a 3-4 scheme.
NFC South
After botching a pursuit of Deshaun Watson and trading longstanding QB Matt Ryan to the Colts as an unofficial apology, the FALCONS are starting from scratch for the second year in a row under coach Arthur Smith, who has declared former Titans washout Marcus Mariota his “man” behind centre.
The offence is expected to become even more traditional and run-heavy with the addition of hybrid ball carrier Cordarrelle Patterson and TE Kyle Pitts. A defence almost devoid of established building pieces other than cover man A.J. Terrell, this might be reason for optimism for playing spoiler throughout the year.
The Panthers are so in need of a reliable quarterback that they have signed Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, two quarterbacks who were drafted early but dropped to later rounds.
At the very least, the former poses a wild-card threat to an undervalued setup that includes No. 1 target D.J. Moore, the fragile but explosive Christian McCaffrey, and a defence full of developing possibilities. It remains to be seen if head coach Matt Rhule can turn that into sound strategy and effective play. Never count out this team’s ability to surprise if Mayfield stays predictably motivated. He and Carolina haven’t done enough to win over everyone’s trust just yet.
After Sean Payton retired as head coach, he was replaced by defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, leaving the SAINTS in an awkward position between competing and rebuilding. The defence led by Allen gets the benefit of the doubt as a muscular and battle-tested bunch, and veteran players like Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas have been coupled with new help up front (OT Trevor Penning) and out wide (WRs Chris Olave, Jarvis Landry). The greatest wild card, quarterback Jameis Winston, hasn’t remained healthy or steady as a starter in years, regardless of how well his brief trial run in 2021 went.
As long as Tom Brady, who is still playing at an MVP level despite being 45 years old, is the quarterback for the BUCCANEERS, they will be a serious contender in the NFL. Brady does more than just throw the ball; he influences the team’s culture with his aura, his history, his preparation, and, somehow, still, his arm. There may be challenges ahead after Bruce Arians stepped down as head coach and handed control to defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
Injuries to starters up front (Ryan Jensen) or on the outside (DeAndre Hopkins) might also be a factor (Chris Godwin). But under Brady’s leadership, this team has come together at the proper times, and he still has top-10 weapons and support at almost every position.
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