The AFC is residence to one of the best quarterback play, and the strongest convention within the NFL. There are my picks to win every division in 2022 (Playoff groups in daring)
AFC WEST
Prediction:
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
- Denver Broncos
- Las Vegas Raiders
The winner of the Tremendous Bowl is greater than doubtless going to come back out of this division, and I’m simply going to come back out and with my boldest prediction proper out of the gate.
When the mud settles on the 2022 common season, the Los Angeles Chargers are going to be in first place.
Justin Herbert is able to make a leap to NFL MVP, and the Chargers have probably the most harmful extensive receiver room within the NFL. Brandon Staley gained 9 video games final 12 months regardless of having the fourth-worst scoring protection, and you already know that’s been consuming at him after utilizing his credentials as the highest defensive coordinator in 2020 with the LA Rams to land this gig. There’s loads of strain on Khalil Mack to assist get this line of defense over the hump, as a result of Joey Bosa and Jerry Tillery weren’t doing sufficient to get it performed with out him.
Patrick Mahomes remains to be that dude, they usually would possibly win the Tremendous Bowl with out successful the division, however Tyreek Hill was an important a part of their offensive success. Do you actually suppose 8.6 yards per reception JuJu Smith-Schuster goes to exchange that manufacturing? We’ll simply need to see.
I believe the Broncos get in with the addition of Mr. Limitless, Russell Wilson. That leaves the Raiders on the skin trying in- and don’t try to inform me the Silver and Black are going to construct on final 12 months’s stunning rally behind interim Head Coach Wealthy Bisaccia. He’s up within the freezing chilly frozen tundra now, and the Raiders possibilities of making the 2022 playoffs went with him.
I’m not saying the Raiders can’t make some noise this 12 months, however they’ve the dangerous fortune of taking a minimal of 4 losses in convention play.
So to recap, your MVP and Tremendous Bowl champion are doubtless each popping out of the AFC West.
AFC South
Prediction:
- Tennessee Titans
- Indianapolis Colts
- Houston Texans
- Jacksonville Jaguars
I imagine Ryan Tannehill is nearer to the 2021 model than the 33 Landing, 7 interception 2020 model that had Dolphins followers able to stroll into the ocean.
However I additionally imagine it doesn’t matter. The energy of the Titans is their operating sport behind Derrick Henry and a finally-healthy offensive line. In the event that they do what they’re speculated to within the operating sport, and the protection continues the large leap ahead it made in 2021, they’re going to win the division.
The Colts are persevering with their finish of profession Las Vegas residency QB carousel, this time with Matt Ryan. And should you take into account that Matt Ryan has had one good season each three years for the previous 14 seasons, he’s most likely due for a good 12 months. However identical to the Titans, it is a staff constructed on operating and protection, and the celebrity pair of Johnathan Taylor and Darius Leonard are most likely sufficient to place Indy on the playoff bubble.
The Houston Texans and my outdated staff, the Jacksonville Jaguars, are each a lot improved, and I anticipate them to be in loads of video games till the bitter finish, however these endings can be bitter. I anticipate 5-6 win seasons for each squads.
For any of those groups to make the leap to Tremendous Bowl contender, they’re going to wish to have a sure-fire franchise QB, however I can’t say with a straight face that any of them have one in the meanwhile.
AFC North
Prediction:
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Cleveland Browns
Should you don’t suppose Lamar Jackson is price $250 million assured, you’ll by the tip of the season. This division is about to be all Baltimore, on a regular basis.
John Harbaugh is coming off solely his second dropping season because the Ravens head coach within the final 14 years, and the worst staff protection we’ve seen from Baltimore since 2002. Not solely are we going to see development to the imply, if this staff stays wholesome, we’d see dominance. For my part, the Tremendous Bowl champ is popping out of the AFC West, but when it’s anybody else, that is the staff to look at.
I’m not a Cincinnati Bengals hater, however let’s be trustworthy. They received sizzling on the proper time final 12 months, however within the Tremendous Bowl, the higher staff gained. I do have them making the playoffs in 2022, and whereas that ought to be sufficient for Bengals followers that went 31 years between playoff victories, a style of success could make you grasping. Be affected person with Joe Burrow and Zac Taylor, and also you’ll get again finally.
I’ve the Pittsburgh Steelers ending third within the division and contending for a playoff spot. Sure, even with Mitch Trubisky taking snaps. I might come out of retirement to play QB for the Steelers and Mike Tomlin remains to be going to discover a manner for my outdated ass to tug them to 9 wins. The issue with that is that it retains you out of vary to take a shot on a prime QB within the draft, so this is perhaps one thing they need to reconcile in free company this offseason. I hear their rival has a QB with a suspect contract state of affairs…
Final, and positively least, the Cleveland Browns determined to waste a wonderfully good roster on a suspended QB. If Deshaun Watson wasn’t being held out for you-know-what, it is a Tremendous Bowl contending roster. And possibly that’s why they’re keen to take all the warmth that comes with this choice, and punt their success till 2023.
And if the Ravens don’t deal with issues with their QB’s contract state of affairs, these standings might flip subsequent 12 months.
AFC EAST
Prediction:
- Buffalo Payments
- Miami Dolphins
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
The division belongs to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Payments. I’ve all the time been a Josh Allen fan, and also you positively don’t must lookup any of my takes about him previous to the 2020 season as a result of I’m telling the reality. You imagine me, proper? Anyway, if the Payments have a non-QB scramble oriented operating sport, it’s a wrap.
Miami isn’t going to be nearly as good as some prognosticators suppose, however I do have them ending second,and sure making the playoffs. When your personal proprietor is making an attempt to maneuver you off the staff for Tom Brady or Deshaun Watson, you aren’t that man. I’m speaking to you, Tua. However get pleasure from additions like Tyreek Hill and Chase Edmonds, they’re positively the kind of guys that may masks arm energy points with playmaking capability.
Recycling failed head coaches onto the offensive employees would possibly work for Nick Saban, however do we actually suppose Invoice Belichick goes to get away with utilizing Mat Patricia and Joe Choose to exchange the whole offensive employees that Josh McDaniels took to Las Vegas? I believe the Patriots can be adequate to complete third within the AFC East. With out Tom Brady, years of dangerous ability place drafting by Belichick is the final word cause the Patriots have fallen off, and shouldn’t be thought-about legit contenders.
And final, as traditional, the New York Jets. Do I really want to clarify why? Or can I simply say that Joe Flacco is 2-12 in his final 14 begins, and Zach Wilson is just barely higher, going 3-10 as a rookie.
Similar to when Tom Brady dominated the division, the one staff with a reliable QB stays king of the mountain.
George Wrighster is a former Pac-12 and long-time NFL tight finish. As a tv/radio host, opinionist, and analyst, who’s UNAFRAID to talk the reality. Opposite to trade norms he makes use of, info, stats, and customary sense to win an argument. He has coated faculty soccer, basketball, NFL, NBA, MLB since 2014. By years of enjoying faculty soccer, overlaying bowl video games, teaching adjustments, and scandals, he has an amazing pulse for the convention and nationwide perspective.
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