2022 NFL Preview

Dan Marino took the NFL by storm in 1984, completely dominating the league and setting passing record that stood for decades. That season was a dream season for the Dolphins and their young superstar as they made in to the Super Bowl. They eventually lost the Super Bowl to the eventual team of the decade, San Francisco, but there was optimism for the next decade with Marino under center. In 1985 they again had one of the best offenses in football, gave the 85' Bears their only loss, and were surely going to make the Super Bowl again. Then, they lost to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game, but again, they had Marino and legendary coach Don Shula, they would still win multiple Super Bowls. The next 6 seasons weren’t great as they didn’t win a playoff game before eventually the 1992 season where they had a home AFC Championship game against Buffalo, would this be the year they made it back? Nope, they came up short and watched the less talented Jim Kelly make it back to the Super Bowl. Then it was Shula retiring and Marino getting older as he watched John Elway make and win Super Bowls before finally retiring.

What does Dan Marino’s career have to do with the upcoming 2022 NFL season you might be asking? Well, it’s simple. No one had more talent than Dan Marino, he could throw the ball better than anyone. If that is all it took to win Super Bowls then he would have a case full of them but it takes more than a rocket arm and talent. I am not even sure any of us know what makes people constant winners but there are intangibles about why some players and teams win and some don’t win.

Again, what does any of this have to do with 2022? Well, as you know, the Buffalo Bills have already been crowned by almost every talking head to be the Super Bowl Champion. The few that have went against the Bills grain have went with super talented Justin Herbert and the LA Chargers. There is one problem with all of this though, they don’t win.

Let’s look at Buffalo, they didn’t even make the final 4 last year and always find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Can you even imagine a world where Buffalo is standing in front of the nation with a Lombardi Trophy? Whether it is wide right or 13 seconds left, the Bills always find a way to come up short.

Now, what about Justin Herbert and the LA Chargers. At Oregon he didn’t lead his team to the playoffs but that was because of the coach. His first year in the NFL he had a losing record, again, coaching! Last year, with an almost certain chance to make the playoffs he lost 3 of 4 including the last game to the Raiders. Again, defense and coaching, it’s never on Justin Herbert.

Some teams and players find a way to win a lot more than they should and some find a way to lose a lot more than they should.

32 Facts for the 2022 Season:

1. Buffalo will have one of the best regular seasons we have ever watched, their lines will dominate, and Josh Allen will be awesome….then they will lose in the playoffs.
2. Miami, led by top 12 Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, will win their first playoff game in 17 years.
3. New England will miss the playoffs and the rumblings will be loud about Belichick retiring.
4. New York (Jets) will be a train wreck all season and fire 2nd year coach Robert Saleh.
5. Baltimore, after an injury plagued 2021, will be the AFC North winner.
6. Pittsburgh will turn to rookie Kenny Pickett mid season and will be the surprise AFC wild card team.
7. Cincinnati will suffer close losses all season and miss the playoffs.
8. Cleveland will regret their decision to sign Deshawn Watson and the team will be in the basement of the AFC.
9. Indianapolis will be your AFC South winners, they will start slow but make the playoffs.
10. Jacksonville, led by second year Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, will show promise but they will just miss the playoffs.
11. Tennessee will fall back to earth as we have seen the last great season from Derrick Henry.
12. Houston will be Houston yet again and finish last in the division.
13. Denver will struggle early and not get things going in time and miss the playoffs.
14. Las Vegas will be a surprise AFC West playoff team as they beat out the Chargers yet again.
15. The Chargers will yet again be the best team to miss the playoffs.
16. Dallas will overcome injuries to win the NFC East.
17. Jalen Hurts will be replaced by mid season as he will struggle to find his way as the talented Eagles miss the playoffs.
18. The G Men will show promise under first year coach Brian Daboll but will just miss the playoffs.
19. Daniel Snyder will not own the Washington Commanders by this time next year and might find his way to prison.
20. Justin Jefferson will be getting MVP votes this year as he will be the clear best receiver and help Minnesota to the playoffs.
21. Detroit will be a frisky team but they are still a year away from making it to the playoffs.
22. Justin Fields will not make it through the season with this Bears team around him, we will not know his true potential, Bears stink.
23. Tampa Bay will start the season 0–4 before rallying back to win the NFC South and making it the final Brady season.
24. Carolina will finally stay healthy and be a surprise wild card team in the NFC, Christian McCaffery fantasy owners will be very happy all season.
25. New Orleans will wish they had Sean Payton back as they struggle to a losing season.
26. Atlanta will be talking about the 1st pick by Halloween.
27. Trey Lance will get replaced by Jimmy G at some point this season and the 49ers will win the NFC West.
28. Seattle will shock the NFL and put together close win after close win making the playoffs.
29. The Rams will have a clear Super Bowl hangover as they struggle to get the line right and Stafford’s elbow — -they miss the playoffs.
30. Kyler Murray won’t study enough for Arizona to avoid a 4–13 season.
31. Kansas City will be your AFC Champion.
32. Green Bay, led by defense and running, will be your Super Bowl Champion.

AFC Playoff Teams:

Buffalo, Miami, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Indy, Kansas City, Las Vegas

NFC Playoff Teams:

Dallas, Green Bay, Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Carolina, San Francisco, Seattle.

AFC Championship:

Kansas City over Baltimore

NFC Championship:

Green Bay over Dallas

Super Bowl:

Green Bay over Kansas City

Week 1 Picks:

Steelers +6.5

Cowboys +2.5

Bears +7.5

Vikings -1.5

Panthers -1

Survivor Pick: Tennessee