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The NFL season is officially upon us and to football fans, the start of football in a way, feels like Christmas Morning.. Families come together every Sunday, not for church, but to witness the most beautiful game to ever be played.
The crock pot is plugged in, the cooler is filled with beer, and the hot dogs are on the grill, and to some, this is just a billionaire boys club. Guys tossing a ball around the field for millions of dollars, but to others, like myself, it’s a major part of our lives.
This has been a very chaotic offseason with multiple All Pro’s bouncing from team to team. Russell Wilson riding over to Broncos country, Tyreek Hill saying Tua Tagovailoa is the most accurate quarterback he’s ever seen, AJ Brown to Philly, and Hollywood Brown to Arizona.
The Cardinals gave $230 Million dollars to a player that they believe is a full blown little boy, meanwhile, Lamar for the 3rd straight year does not have a contract extension in Baltimore. Also, there were 10 new head coaching hires, suspensions, fines, fights, and more; it seems like we can’t have a single peaceful day in the NFL. Which is fine by me because who doesn’t love chaos?
In this article I am going to be giving you everything from division winners to MVP candidates, and even my Super Bowl prediction, so when February comes around you guys will have full access to this article and will be able to full blown bash me. Let’s start with team records. I'm going to give you all 32 teams' records, along with why I believe they will have that record.
AFC
16. Houston Texans 2-15
I couldn’t tell you the direction the Texans are headed in, but they fired David Culley to bring in Lovie Smith? I love Lovie from his time in Chicago, but his prime is long gone. I don’t get why they went from one bridge coach to another bridge coach. Regardless, I like Davis Mills, but there’s not enough around him to win because their defense is not sustainable enough to help win ball games as of now. They won 4 games last year but didn’t improve enough, while Indianapolis, Tennessee, and Jacksonville all improved..
15. Jacksonville Jaguars 5-12
This could seem low for Jacksonville considering how huge their offseason was, but hiring Doug Pederson could be the best move the franchise has made, or crash and burn like his time in Philadelphia. Additions like Christian Kirk and Evan Engram will help now, but with how heavy the AFC is, it won’t be enough. Improvement for a team heading in the right direction is all that matters, so this is a team that will compete but fall short too often.
14. New York Jets 5-12
The Jets had one of the best graded drafts in the NFL this year, landing defensive back Sauce Gardner, wide receiver Garrett Wilson, and edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, all in the first round. The Breece Hall edition will be a major addition considering they have a major hole in the run game. They’re just in too tough of a division to get more than six or seven wins this season. Five wins is low, but going through week by week, they have a hell of a ride ahead of them.
13. Cleveland Browns 7-10
Cleveland may have messed up by not making a move outside of Jacoby Brissett. He can get the job done, but Brissett only went 7-8 as a starter in 2019 with Frank Reich and the Colts. Their division is just loaded with talent, and two playoff teams from last year with a healthier Ravens team. With Baker Mayfield under center last season, they won only eight games.. Seven wins might even be generous considering Jacoby isn’t as good as Mayfield..
12. Pittsburgh Steelers 7-10
Mike Tomlin finally suffers his first season under .500 for the first time in his career. Shockingly, Trubisky adds another level to Pittsburgh's offense considering his legs are much better. Now when he struggles, which he will, does Tomlin rush to Kenny Pickett? Not that quickly,Trubisky will play at least 75% of the season and we will see limited Pickett action.
11. New England Patriots 7-10.
Josh McDaniels could be one of the largest losses to a team this season. I trust Bill Belichick to be able to handle everything on his own, but the Dolphins got much better. Let alone, Buffalo is the best team in the league. I see a down year.
10. Tennessee Titans 9-8.
Maybe I’m way off here, but I just have never bought into Tennessee and Ryan Tannehill is now getting chippy. The front office traded AJ Brown for Treylon Burks, which will not translate quickly like some expect. Harold Landry just recently tore his ACL and it will be a rough turn around after being one and done last year as the one seed.
9. Las Vegas Raiders 9-8.
The worst of the AFC West this year. It’s mighty unfortunate that they play in the toughest division in football ever. I’ve gone back and forth on both Las Vegas and Denver for that final Wild Card spot, butI just had to give the upper hand to Denver. Nathaniel Hackett and Russell Wilson have a great thing in the works. Josh McDaniels and Derek Carr will take longer to gel.
8. Cincinnati Bengals 10-7.
The final Wild Card bubble team goes to last year's Super Bowl runner up. Unfortunately, a Super Bowl hangover does come into play for this team. We’ve seen it before with the losing teams. The Bengals finished last season hot and that momentum carried into the postseason. This year, Zac Taylor’s offense gets a little more humbled and the defense takes a step back.
7. Denver Broncos 11-6.
It’s crazy to believe that 11-6 is barely squeaking you by for a wild card spot. The AFC is just so even with heavy hitters. Nathaniel Hackett will have Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon looking like the best duo in football, and Russell Wilson will cook with Denver's decent weapons; he's done it before.
6. Miami Dolphins 11-6.
This is definitely one of my more riskier picks this offseason because a lot of my faith lies in Mike McDaniels really being the guy for Tua Tagovailoa. We just watched Kyle Shanahan lead Jimmy Garoppolo to two great seasons. Garoppolo, like Tagovailoa, isn’t the strong arm premier quarterback of today’s league. On the other hand, it can work because McDaniels will make Tua a premier game manager in this league. Yes, you all can keep this receipt.
5. Kansas City Chiefs 12-5
This will be Kansas City’s first time not winning the division since 2015. Don’t worry Andy Reid will be just fine. The Chiefs lost Tyreek Hill, but their receiving core is the most complete it’s ever been. The loss of Tyrann Mathieu won’t help either. He was the cornerstone of their secondary for the last few seasons and will struggle without him. Them being a wild card team means nothing, but still will be competing for a Super Bowl.
4. Colts 11-6
The Colts are the weakest divisional winner in the AFC. They’re also the weakest playoff team in the AFC, but adding Matt Ryan will pay off. It will win them the division, which is all that matters for them. Unfortunately, they will not compete with the big dogs in the AFC and will be regular season heroes.
3. Baltimore Ravens 12-5
The Ravens are my biggest buy for this year and the last few years have just been bumpy. Injuries have plagued their franchise and this year Lamar, Dobbins, Edwards, are all coming back fully healthy. The team that relies so much on the run is getting back their three best ball carriers, so this team is going to win lots of ball games.
2. Los Angeles Chargers 13-4
Brandon Staley worked under a defensive guru in Vic Fangio for years. The Chargers also added Khalil Mack and JC Jackson to their defensive unit. Derwin James is back and healthy ,Joey Bosa is still a premier pass rusher and Brandon Staley is going to have a field day with these players. Most importantly, they also have this guy named Justin Herbert. The division is theirs to lose if you ask me.
1. Buffalo Bills 14-3.
This is the best team in the NFL and Josh Allen is one of the league's best quarterbacks by far. They added Von Miller to their pass rush which has been their achilles heel the last two seasons. Drafting Kaiir Elam to an already loaded secondary will be massive. You can’t point to a reason why they will not win the Super Bowl.
NFC
16. Seattle Seahawks 2-15
This team was on the downward spiral with or without Russell Wilson. Each year, you kind of saw the downfall coming. 7-10 with having Russ for most of last year? They won’t have any sort of success this year. They have no standouts on defense and they play in one of the toughest divisions in football. They play the entire AFC West, it’s going to be brutal in Seattle.
15. Atlanta Falcons 3-14.
The Falcons rebuild is in full force now that their legendary quarterback is gone. Mariota steps in to be the veteran bridge quarterback, which will be good for the growth of Drake London and Kyle Pitts. Their defense is going to be torched all season and the offense won’t be able to keep up.
14. New York Giants 4-13
Brian Daboll has his work cut out for him in New York. Danny Dimes is far from a dime and Kenny Golladay doesn’t care about football anymore. Their receiving core is sub par, along with their offensive line. New York has another rough football year ahead.
13. Carolina Panthers 4-13
This could be low for Carolina. They did upgrade at quarterback in Baker Mayfield, which could be big for the franchise. There’s a lot of question marks surrounding this franchise. Can Christian McCaffrey stay healthy? Is Matt Rhule the coach for the franchise? Can Baker win in a tough division? Matt Rhule and Baker Mayfield are spending 2023 looking at a fresh start.
12. Chicago Bears 5-12
Just like the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Bears will be a competitive team in the NFL. The inexperience and lack of depth is what will be the reason for their bad record. The defense is very young and athletic, they have fighters, but it will be a while before they gel.
11. Washington Commanders 7-10
The Commanders should be fighting for a playoff spot this year. It just will not come full circle in Washington. Carson Wentz is definitely an upgrade for Washington, but the competition around them got better. They won’t overcome Philadelphia or Dallas.
10. Detroit Lions 7-10
The 2022 season will be a great turning point for Detroit Lions fans. Will it be the best thing for the franchise? Jared Goff will more than likely not be able to lead another team to a Super Bowl. This 2023 draft will have some mighty fine quarterbacks and the arrow is pointing up for Detroit, but a “successful” season will cost them a chance at a top quarterback.
9. New Orleans Saints 7-10
This is another bubble team where I won’t be shocked if they are the 7th seed. The switch from Sean Payton to Dennis Allen is the reason for the decline. Jameis Winston has the weapons to throw for 5,000 yards and 35 touchdowns, but just doesn’t have the old staff to get them in the postseason. If Dennis Allen can get this team on the right path, they could make the playoffs. In year one for Allen, it won’t happen.
8. San Francisco 49ers 9-8
The 49ers finished 10-7 last year and slipped into the postseason. In 2022, they will go slightly backwards this year due to the switch from Jimmy Garoppolo to Trey Lance. Lance has potential, but it’s just that I haven’t seen enough from him yet. Is he going to come in and have immediate success over Garoppolo? I don’t see it. He has all the tools to be great, I just have to see it on the field.
7. Dallas Cowboys 10-7
Dallas will be the last of this year's postseason teams. The Eagles have improved a lot, and it’s enough to overcome Dallas for the East. The Cowboys are in an easier division, and have an easy enough schedule to squeak in. After this season, changes will be made in Dallas. This will not be something that keeps Mike McCarthy his job.
6. Minnesota Vikings 10-7
Everyone knows the crazy stat from the disappointing Vikings season in 2021. If they did not give up points in the last 2 minutes of every half, of every game, they would’ve gone 15-2. If ifs and buts were candy and nuts, we’d all have a Merry Christmas. This season will be different. This roster has been postseason ready since 2017, but they’ve only gone twice since then. Kevin O’Connell won’t have the struggling roster to deal with and it should be an easy transition for him.
5. Arizona Cardinals 11-6
In 2021, the Arizona Cardinals spent the second half of the season being the little brother to the Rams. I expect the same in 2022. Kyler Murray will grow more mentally and slip into the MVP race now and then, but won’t capture the title. He has yet to catch his name into the upper echelon of quarterbacks, and he won’t do it this year.
4. Green Bay Packers 11-6
Back to back MVPs for quarterback Aaron Rodgers shines brightly for the eyes of Canton’s finest. There will be no question about his time to slip on the gold jacket when it comes around. There’s only one question that looms on the streets of Titletown. “Will Aaron Rodgers win another ring?” The answer for this year is no, their defense is extremely young and talented and their run game is one of the best in today’s game. The issue is their wide receivers. Aaron Rodgers has made some slouches look great over the years, but unfortunately there will be just a slight decline in moving the ball downfield.
3. Philadelphia Eagles 12-5
Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts in just year one did something that no one else in football thought was possible. They made the postseason and now after a big draft and trading for AJ Brown, they’re wanting more. There are zero excuses for Jalen Hurts this season, and he will need to step up. I have my doubts, but he has too much around him to fail.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12-5
When speaking about offseason turmoil, the Buccaneers have had some. It has been well overlooked by everything else going on in the league, but it’s still juicy. Tom Brady retired and came back. Bruce Arians steps aside and now, Giselle took the kids to Miami? The thing is there’s no better professional than Tom Brady. He and the Bucs will be just fine this season. Todd Bowles defense will be scary, and the offense is in the hands of the greatest to ever do it.
1. Los Angeles Rams 12-5
Tonight's matchup will feature both of the best teams in each of their respective conferences. The Rams will be the 3rd team to finish 12-5 in the NFC but get the tiebreaker to their advantage. Stafford and McVay will not lose a step, and the Allen Robinson addition will be bigger than most expect. The former Super Bowl champions will be defending that title deep into the postseason and maybe defending it on the biggest stage.
NFL Award Predictions
Now let’s get into the hardware. If there’s one thing that people crave mid season other than power rankings, it’s an MVP race. So, I’m going to give you all of my award winners for the 2022-23 season. From MVP to Coach of the Year to Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Let’s start small with the young bucks. After a very weird 2022 NFL draft, some names have stood out more than others. There seemed to be a very large fall off a little after the top 10. That’s why it’s going to be clear who the winners are.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
WR Drake London, Atlanta Falcons.
Drake London is going to be a star in this league. When looking at the offensive players in today’s league, quarterbacks are clearly favored the most. It’s a quarterbacks league for a reason, luckily for London, no rookie quarterbacks are going to give him grief. London is going to stand out in a thin Atlanta offense. This is a team that is going to be coming from behind a lot. They have a veteran in Mariota who is fighting for his career and London is in the best situation to put up major numbers, and he will.
Defensive Rookie of the Year.
DE Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions.
Aidan Hutchinson is going to be a star in this league. He is 6’7’, 260 lbs, with a 4.7 40 yard dash. His reach seems almost impossible to block, but going to have to do a lot on his own defensively in Detroit. That’s why he will win Defensive Rookie of the Year. We saw him constantly take over ball games at Michigan and he’s going to do the same in Detroit.
Now let’s shift our focus to the adults. These are the awards that can make or break Hall of Fame arguments. You always have your dark horses, the underdogs, and the sleepers, but some never play out. Who do I have playing at their best this season? Let’s find out.
Coach of the Year
Brandon Staley, Los Angeles Chargers.
The 39 year old defensive guru leads his team to an AFC West title, and the second seed in the AFC. Brandon Staley will shift a bottom ten defense into a top 15 defense this year that’s riding the shoulders of Justin Herbert. Staley is in just his second year, but will make a big dent in the AFC and lock in his Coach of the Year title.
Comeback Player of the Year
QB Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints.
Jameis Winston unfortunately tore his ACL early last season. He had seven games under his belt with 14 touchdowns, and only 3 interceptions. He was on pace for a massive year and the Saints offense has only improved since.. Michael Thomas is back healthy which will have a huge impact in the short game,Chris Olave can blow the top off of your defense and Jarvis Landry is a big veteran signing to add to the receiving room. Jameis has no reason to not have a big year.
Offensive Player of the Year
WR Ceedee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys.
This is by far, the boldest of all of my predictions. Ceedee Lamb is one of the most underlooked receivers in the league and I think he has unlocked potential that we could discover this season. Amari Cooper is gone, Gallup is still battling injuries, it’s his offense. He is the main weapon for the Dallas Cowboys. Dak is going to favor him all year long, and he’s going to have a major season.
Defensive Player of the Year.
DE Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns.
Myles Garrett is a man who gives opposing quarterbacks the sleep sweats. He has been a dominant pass rusher, but has just been overlooked by Aaron Donals and TJ Watt. This is Garrett’s year to show that he can be the league’s best pass rusher. I think he touches 19 sacks and wins the award with flying colors.
MVP
QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills.
Josh Allen came into this league with a very rough rookie season. Each year he has progressed into one of the league's best quarterbacks. This is the year he etches his name into this history book. Once Stefon Diggs arrived, Allen became much more elevated. Now with Gabriel Davis on the rise, I think Allen can sweep the quarterback stat leaders this year. I expect nothing but big things from him and he is my 2022-2023 Most Valuable Player.
Postseason Predictions
Wild Card Round
NFC
No. 5 Cardinals over No. 4 Packers
No. 3 Eagles over No.6 Minnesota
No. 2 Buccaneers over No. 7 Cowboys
AFC
No. 5 Chiefs over No. 4 Colts
No. 3 Ravens over No. 6 Dolphins
No. 2 Chargers over No. 7 Broncos
Divisional Round
No. 1 Rams over No. 5 Cardinals
No. 2 Buccaneers over No. 3 Eagles
No. 2 Chargers over No. 3 Ravens
No. 1 Bills over No. 5 Chiefs
Conference Championship
No. 1 Bills over No. 2 Chargers
No. 2 Buccaneers over No. 1 Rams
Super Bowl
Bills over Bucs
This is my entire full season prediction for the 2022-23 NFL Season. I will not be right on everything, which is fine. I hope all of you enjoy the season as much as I will. This has been one of the craziest offseason's in the history of the NFL. I think this could be one of the craziest seasons to ever transpire in history.
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