2022 NFC Season Preview
By Peyton Schultze
Energized and hungry for more, the Los Angeles Rams lead the way in the NFC in their quest to become back-to-back champs (via Turf Show Times).
The winners of back-to-back Super Bowl titles in 2020 and 2021, the NFC remains the top dog between the two conferences in the National Football League entering the 2022 season.
The last two champions in the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers look like the clear favorites this year, but several other teams could emerge as threats in a hurry. Ballclubs such as the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers remain right in the middle of the mix in the conference, while scrappy teams such as the Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions and New York Giants will hope to make their mark in the NFC playoff picture this season. This all sets the table up for an exciting year that should be full of surprises, especially with so many teams having a chance to get into this year’s postseason. But even with some roster additions and more time to grow for so many squads, do any of these teams have what it takes to unseat the mighty Rams as NFC champions and find a way to get to this year’s Super Bowl in Glendale, Arizona?
The NFC may be a little top heavy this season, but there is no doubt that there could be some surprise teams that emerge from the depths of the conference and make some noise this season. On top of that, this could be the final years from quarterbacks Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, while the Rams will attempt to become the first repeat champions since the New England Patriots back in 2004 and 2005. It is shaping up to be another great season in the NFC, so without further ado, we present out full preview of the conference entering the 2022 regular season:
NFC West
1. Los Angeles Rams
Cooper Kupp’s earth-shattering 2021 campaign helped lead the Rams to their second Super Bowl title in franchise history (via USA Today).
Aggressive, all-in and anointed: the Rams enter the 2022 season as the reigning Super Bowl champions for the first time since moving back home to Los Angeles. There has been plenty of success on the sunny shores of LA since head coach Sean McVay took over for the Rams, but with even more pressure on this loaded roster to take home back-to-back Lombardi Trophies for the first time in the NFL since the Patriots in 2004 and 2005, can the Rams find a way to get even better this season?
A lot of that comes down to one of the most explosive offensive groups in all of football, led by quarterback Matthew Stafford. The right-handed gunslinger was sensational in his first season as a Ram in 2021, throwing for 4,886 yards and 41 touchdowns and leading the Rams to continuous 4th quarter comebacks in the regular season and deep into the postseason. Yet Stafford was helped out a lot by one of the most ridiculous seasons for a wide receiver in NFL history, where Cooper Kupp took home the NFL’s receiving Triple Crown and won Super Bowl MVP. Kupp gets even more help next to him this season in the form of an added Allen Robinson, a full healthy Cam Akers and an emerging Van Jefferson, all who help to make this offense nearly unstoppable in the skill positions. Yet the Rams will have major question marks on the offensive line following the retirement of Andrew Whitworth. With names such as Joe Noteboom, Brian Allen, David Edwards and Bobby Evans being called into action on the front, LA’s offensive wall will have to step up in a big way to keep Stafford upright and generate their trademark big plays time and time again.
Although the Rams enter the season as the reigning champions, it is tough to say that their defense did not have some growing pains along the way in 2021. Los Angeles was able to find its groove on defense once they acquired future Hall of Famer Von Miller in a mid-season trade, but with the pass rusher now in Buffalo, how will the Rams respond? At the very least, LA has two of the top ten players in all of football on this unit with Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey, which helps to ease any type of concern. Donald is a one-man wrecking ball up front, helping to open up lanes for players such as A’Shawn Robinson and Leonard Floyd to get after the passer, while Ramsey remains the alpha in a decent secondary featuring Troy Hill, Taylor Rapp and Jordan Fuller. Yet the Rams’ biggest offseason addition was the acquisition of superstar enforcer Bobby Wagner, who will help to clean up a linebacking core next to Justin Hollins and Ernest Jones. These signs point toward an improved year on defense for the Rams, which could help to shore up any concerns about a repeat performance. Health will once again be a major factor for McVay’s All-Star team, especially with a very tough schedule and plenty of primetime showdowns. In any way, it should be an exciting year for LA fans once again in 2022, especially amid the Rams’ quest to fulfill their hopes as a potential NFL dynasty.
Record: 12-5
Biggest Story to Watch: Will Los Angeles have a Super Bowl hangover?
Offensive MVP: Kupp
Defensive MVP: Donald
2. San Francisco 49ers
Trey Lance enters the 2022 season as the new sheriff in town for a 49ers’ squad with Super Bowl dreams (via Sky Sports).
For better or for worse, it looks to be the end of the road in the Bay Area for 49ers’ quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who will likely be traded in the coming weeks. This opens the door for head coach Kyle Shanahan to deploy his potential superstar quarterback in youngster Trey Lance, who enters the year as the 49ers’ starting quarterback in his first full season as a starter with plenty of pressure placed upon his shoulders in a loaded division.
Yet it has been a wacky offseason for the Niners, especially considering they were just a few plays away from taking down the Rams in last year’s NFC Championship Game and getting back to the Super Bowl. A lot of this has to do with the trade chatter surrounding star wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who is coming off a breakout 2021 campaign. Samuel is a do-it-all player in the open field for the 49ers, and although George Kittle remains the tone-setter in this offense with his ability to both block and catch, Samuel is a superstar when healthy and adds another layer to this offense. With Lance still finding his groove, he will need plenty of help from young players such as wideout Brandon Aiyuk and running back Elijah Mitchell. And while the Niners have some depth in the backfield behind Mitchell, a lack of supporting strength behind Samuel and Aiyuk on the outside could be an issue for Shanahan’s offense early on, especially as Lance gets warmed up to the competition of the NFC West. Yet San Francisco remains strong on the offensive front, where they turn out a sensational tackle duo of Pro Bowler Trent Williams and reliable Mike McGlinchey. Those two players are major enforcers for a dynamic offense that relies so much on the ground game, and will be called upon to deliver nice seasons for the 49ers once again in 2022.
For as long as the Niners’ offense transitions into Lance early in the year, San Francisco may rely on a defense that still remains one of the top units in the league. Led by the dominant presence of linebacker Fred Warner in the middle, San Francisco remains one of the best tackling teams in all of football entering the year and should be one of the better groups in the NFC. Although Warner remains the Niners’ catalyst, defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans will rely heavily on one of the best defensive fronts in football. Led by Nick Bosa, Javon Kinlaw and Arik Armstead, San Francisco has no problem getting after the passer in a hurry and clogging running lanes with ease. This helps to create plenty of pressure on opposing offenses to get the ball out quickly, which also helps the Niners’ cover up one of their top flaws on defense: the secondary. A lingering issue over the past several seasons, San Francisco turns toward an uncertain group once again in 2022. Although newly acquired Charvarius Ward is a nice addition, the 49ers will need more production from defensive backs such as Jimmie Ward, George Odum, Jason Verrett and Emmanuel Moseley. With Lance being thrust into the starting role this year, the 49ers face some real pressure to not only get back to the playoffs, but potentially re-emerge as a Super Bowl contender. That seems to be a tall task in a tough NFC West that should see at least two playoff teams, and all eyes will be on how Shanahan finds a way to push through the noise and produce even more success on the Golden Gate road toward prominence in the NFC.
Record: 10-7
Biggest Story to Watch: Can Lance quickly emerge as a top-end quarterback in the NFC?
Offensive MVP: Samuel
Defensive MVP: Warner
3. Arizona Cardinals
It’s been a noisy, albeit wealthy, offseason for Kyler Murray, who needs a big year after flaming out toward the end of last season (via News Post US Zero).
Million-dollar man Kyler Murray has been in the spotlight plenty of times this offseason following Arizona’s sputtering finish to last season and a wild contract dispute that followed, but now that things have finally settled, are the Cardinals ready to rebound from their recent drama and make a run toward the top of the NFC West?
Although Murray has been thrown around headlines all offseason long, there is no denying that he is truly a sensational talent and one of the best quarterbacks in football under head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. Yet Murray and the Cards will have to deal with the suspension of DeAndre Hopkins for a while to begin the season, applying plenty of pressure on former Ravens’ speedster Marquise Brown to step up in a leading role next to tight end Zach Ertz and wide receivers AJ Green and Rondale Moore. Yet Arizona did the right thing in bringing back running back James Conner to spearhead the Cardinals’ rushing attack, which may be featured more and more early in the year in 2022. With Murray and Conner projected to see plenty of carries, attention must be paid to the offensive line. A group that remains unimpressive but solid, Arizona will start lineman such as Rodney Hudson, DJ Humphries and Justin Pugh to keep their quarterback upright. Although they will not be at full strength with the talents of Hopkins kept out the lineup until the end of the year, the Cardinals’ offense still has plenty of talent that will remain among the NFC’s best.
Defense is what may make-or-break the Cardinals’ season, especially in an explosive NFC West. Led by the often-injured but still prominent JJ Watt, the Cardinals will have to fill the void left by Chandler Jones on the defensive front in the form of names such as Zach Allen and Rashard Lawrence. That could be a troubling sign in a division that has to compete with the arm of Stafford and schemes of Shanahan, but the Cardinals at least deploy a very solid group of linebackers such as stud roamer Isaiah Simmons, Zaven Collins and Markus Golden. Those three create an aggressive second level capable of causing issues for opposing offenses, which will be key as the season develops and the Cardinals have to face off against tough teams in harsh, wintry environments in the regular season and possibly in the playoffs. Yet Arizona needs real production in the secondary from someone other than star safety Budda Baker, who remains one of the best at his position in football. Cornerbacks Marco Wilson and Byron Murphy Jr., in addition to safety Jalen Thompson, will be called upon in the starting lineup this season under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who typically approaches his defensive schemes with a ball-hawking approach that creates turnovers and gets the ball back into the hands of the offense. If this unit holds up and stay healthy, the Cardinals could be much better than their projected record and may even be able to compete for a NFC West crown. But outside drama and consistent lack of health on both sides of the ball seems to plague the Arizona deserts, which could leave Coach Kingsbury in a heap of trouble as his seat gets warmer and warmer under the bright sun.
Record: 9-8
Biggest Story to Watch: Will Arizona’s offseason chatter impact on-the-field play?
Offensive MVP: Murray
Defensive MVP: Baker
4. Seattle Seahawks
Draining their roster from top to bottom on both sides of the ball could be very bad news for a Seahawk team trying to hold on in the NFC West (via Field Gulls).
No matter which way the organization tries to spin it, 2022 is a transition year for the Seattle Seahawks. That is simply what happens why you trade away one of the game’s great quarterbacks in Russell Wilson, which leaves Pete Carroll and the rest of the Seahawks with many more questions than answers at the moment.
With the talents of Wilson now in Denver, Seattle has a very tough choice to make at quarterback: Geno Smith or Drew Lock? While neither will appeal to many fans in Washington due to inconsistent play throughout both careers, Smith looks to have the early edge in training camp and may start out taking lead reps heading into Week 1. Either way, both quarterbacks at least have two very good targets to throw to on the outside with the speedy Tyler Lockett and the recently-paid Pro Bowler DK Metcalf, giving the Seahawks’ passing attack a fighting chance each weekend. While Rashaad Penny looks to start the year as the lead back, look for Seattle to quickly turn toward rookie running back Kenneth Walker III. Meanwhile, Seattle still has major questions on the offensive line. Smith and/or Lock will likely be running for their lives behind a makeshift group that lacks any sort of trustworthy play, yet rookie tackle Charles Cross and guard Damien Lewis could provide promise on the left side. For as long as the quarterback situation stays at this low level, the future of the Seahawks’ offense looks bleak at best in a very tough NFC West.
That disappointing trend on offense looks to continue on the defensive side of the ball. After losing future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner in the offseason to the Rams, the Seahawks will look to fill his void in the middle of the field via Jordyn Brooks and Cody Barton. Those two backers help fill out issues on the defensive line with names such as Shelby Haris, Quinton Jefferson and Iggy Iyiegbuniwe looking to get after the top passers in the NFC, while Poona Ford and Darrell Taylor will also play prominent roles. Yet the Seahawks at least deploy one of the best safety duos in all of football with Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs, which helps to create some sense of stability in the back end of a defense that lacks a ton of elite defensive backs. Names such as Sidney Jones IV and Tre Brown will be thrust into starting roles this year on defense, and there is plenty of concern right now in Seattle about how they will be able to stop elite receiving targets on the outside. After years of prominence and dominance, things have come to a crashing halt in the Pacific Northwest. And with franchise cornerstones such as Wagner and Wilson now out of the building and on new teams, Seattle will be under plenty of pressure to produce a solid season with a ragtag group of unknown youngsters and journeymen veterans.
Record: 3-14
Biggest Story to Watch: Will the Seahawks instantly regret trading Wilson?
Offensive MVP: Metcalf
Defensive MVP: Diggs
NFC South
1.Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Following his retirement and then un-retirement, the 2022 season could be Tom Brady’s last dance in the NFL (via Leader-Telegram).
It was a turbulent offseason for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, especially after the game’s biggest superstar in Tom Brady retired… and then unretired one month later. Yet the still-great Brady looks like he is geared up for what could be the last ride of his prolific career, giving him one more chance at capturing the eighth Super Bowl title of his Canton-bound profile.
And so, The Greatest of All-Time returns for what looks like his final season in the NFL, but he won’t be without plenty of help alongside him. While superstar wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin help to give Brady one of the best one-two punches in all of football, Tampa Bay recently brought in future Hall of Famer Julio Jones to help fill in the passing game void left by the retirement of Rob Gronkowski. Although there has been discussion about his offseason training, the Bucs also brought back running back Leonard Fournette to pack even more of a punch on offense, while contributors such as Cameron Brate and Russell Gage will also be called upon often this season. Yet Tampa’s biggest focus will be on the offensive line; with former guard Ali Marpet now in retirement, the Bucs will need to focus on a different and promising offensive line featuring names such as Tristan Wirfs, Donovan Smith, and Shaq Mason to help protect Brady. It is hard to expect the gaudy numbers that Brady and the Bucs have posted over the past two years to continue, but with superstars all around the field on offense, this group remains one of the best in the conference.
With head coach Todd Bowles taking over this season for Bruce Arians, plenty of focus will be turned toward the Bucs’ defense. In Tampa’s title-winning season in 2020, their defense was flat out sensational, but 2021 was a bit of a step back. Things have to change this season if the Bucs want to remain a contender, but they’ll always have a chance for as long as their linebacking duo of Devin White and Lavonte David remains on the field. While those two cover just about everything in the air and on the ground in the middle of the field, Tampa also looks toward Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul to get after the passer, while Vita Vea and Akeim Hicks look to shut down running lanes. Yet the Buccaneers’ focus on defense has to be on improving a weak secondary group that has been exposed in the past two seasons. While Antoine Winfield Jr. remains an excellent strong safety, defensive backs such as Carlton Davis, Logan Ryan, Keanu Neal and Jamel Dean will have to play bigger roles in 2022 to stop some of the conference’s best aerial attacks. Tampa remains flat out loaded on both sides of the ball, but health and momentum throughout the year will be things to watch for during the season and as the playoffs get closer and closer. Yet the Bucs’ Super Bowl chances will again come down to TB12. And while the veteran star remains at the top of his game even in this final stage of his career, it is fair to wonder just what type of magic he may have in store in the last go-around of his playing career.
Record: 10-7
Biggest Story to Watch: Can Brady finish with style with one last title in the ways of Elway and Manning?
Offensive MVP: Brady
Defensive MVP: David
2. New Orleans Saints
New Orleans has a loaded roster once again entering the season, especially with a strong running back room led by Alvin Kamara (via New Orleans Saints).
It was a strange year for the New Orleans Saints in the first year without Drew Brees in 2021, even though the team almost found a way to sneak into the playoffs without a viable quarterback and beat the mighty Buccaneers twice in the regular season. But with longtime coach Sean Payton now in the broadcast booth and with Dennis Allen set to take over in the Crescent City, New Orleans looks like one of the most unpredictable teams in the NFC despite a very good roster.
With quarterback injuries galore in the 2021 season, the Saints never really had a serious chance on offense last year. But when he was in the starting lineup, Jameis Winston was terrific. A player whose career has been a complete curveball since coming out of Florida State, Winston has grown from immature and turnover-prone into a leader on offense with a conservative nature. These qualities could serve the Saints well this year, especially with All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas set to return from injury this season. Although Alvin Kamara is one of the best players at the running back position in the NFL, Thomas is the player who changes this offense with the ball in his hands. Set next to a nice group of wideouts such as veteran stud Jarvis Landry and rookie Chris Olave, New Orleans looks like a team that may have a very good passing game this year if Winston can stay healthy and limit the turnovers. Yet the Saints’ offensive line could be a major focus in a division with some elite pass rushers. Although Andrus Peat and Ryan Ramczyk return this season, New Orleans may have some questions at center and right guard with some young names such as Erik McCoy and Cesar Ruiz being thrust into the starting lineup.
Although the offense has some questions, New Orleans returns many players from one of the best defenses in all of football from a year ago. The group is once again led by longtime Saint Cameron Jordan, a pest on the defensive line who helps get after the passer next to Marcus Davenport and Shy Tuttle. In addition, linebacker Demario Davis helps provide speed and athleticism in the middle of the field for one of the best run defenses in all of football, next to other linebackers such as Pete Werner and Zack Baun. Yet New Orleans looks even stronger in the secondary heading into this season, with the Honey Badger, Tyrann Mathieu, joining a very solid group of defensive backs. Led by one of the game’s top cornerbacks in Marshon Lattimore, New Orleans should be able to cause plenty of mayhem for opposing passing games with a solid supporting cast around them such as Marcus Maye and Paulson Adebo. This definitely looks like one of the best defenses in all of football entering the season, which could be great news for Saints fans heading into the year. And even though there is some doubt still in the air about how good the offense will truly be, a weak division and some favorable home matchups could lead the way toward a playoff berth in the bayou.
Record: 9-8
Biggest Story to Watch: How much will the Saints miss Sean Payton?
Offensive MVP: Thomas
Defensive MVP: Lattimore
3. Carolina Panthers
A tight quarterback battle between Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold is the story of training camp for the Panthers (via Sports Illustrated).
The Panthers have been slumping for a few years now, struggling to find any sort of ground in the NFC South and constantly attracting the injury bug year in and year out. But with some fresh faces now entering the building in Carolina, the Panthers are hoping to reverse their fortunes and make a surprise playoff run in a division that is at least somewhat vulnerable.
The biggest camp battle in the NFL certainly comes from Carolina, where Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold are competing for the starting quarterback job. Although Darnold may put up a fight, the former Brown in Mayfield seems to be the clear frontrunner heading into the season, and he will be surrounded by a decent supporting cast on his new squad. The talented Christian McCaffrey once again leads the way for the Panthers’ offense, and when healthy, he is easily one of the most dynamic offensive players in the sport. McCaffrey’s pass catching abilities will make life easy for Mayfield, as will the talent on the outside in the form of Robbie Anderson and DJ Moore. That duo will touch the ball plenty of times on offense this year, as will young tight end Tommy Tremble, but the Panthers’ most interesting position to watch is the offensive line. After struggling to pass block for several years, the organization decided to invest time and effort into prospects, such as recently drafted tackle Ikem Ekwonu. The promising tackle will join a group next to Taylor Moton and Austin Corbett, who will look to protect Mayfield and McCaffrey all season long in a division full of loaded defensive lines. The Panthers face plenty of pressure on offense heading into the new year, and it will be interesting to see how they respond early in the season with some decently heavy expectations on their shoulders.
Carolina has even more uncertainty on defense. The Panthers’ secondary will need to be more than competent this season in a division with some top talent at the wide receiver position, which turns the attention toward a young group featuring Jaycee Horn, Xavier Woods and Jeremy Chinn. This defensive back trio will help carry the burden against the pass next to Donte Jackson, while Carolina’s best defensive player in Brian Burns will lead the pass rush to get after Tom Brady and Jameis Winston in the NFC South. While Derrick Brown and Matt Ioannidis will also fill in on the defensive edges up front, linebacker Shaq Thompson leads the way at the second level alongside Cory Littleton and Damien Wilson. This defense is young and scrappy at best, but it is hard to imagine this group making any type of dent on the NFC playoff picture. While head coach Matt Rhule may get just enough out of this team to keep his job for another year, it is hard to see any scenario where the Panthers take the league by storm and make a surprise run toward the postseason.
Record: 6-11
Biggest Story to Watch: Can McCaffrey stay healthy all year?
Offensive MVP: McCaffrey
Defensive MVP: Burns
4. Atlanta Falcons
A gutted roster from top to bottom could lead toward a long year for Atlanta fans (via The Falcoholic).
With Matt Ryan now in Indianapolis, the Falcons enter their first season of a full-blown rebuild in over a decade. And even though the Falcons have been able to draft some exciting young talent that could help set the tempo for the future, things seem grim in terms of the team’s overall outlook for the 2022 season.
With Ryan now donning a Colts’ uniform, the Falcons brought in Marcus Mariota for this season to give the former Oregon quarterback a final chance at emerging as a starter in the league. Although Mariota will face some lingering rookie competition behind him in Desmond Ridder, Atlanta will likely use Mariota’s talents on the ground next to a running game led by Cordarrelle Patterson and Damien Williams. However, that rushing scheme may face some challenges behind a poor offensive line, which will need extra production this season from offensive linemen such as Jake Matthews, Kaleb McGary and Chris Lindstrom. However, even though this offense may rank among the worst in football without the talents of Calvin Ridley on the field for the entire season, Falcons’ fans may have hope in the form of a promising receiver room. Rookie Drake London looks to be an impact player from the start next to Bryan Edwards and Olamide Zaccheaus, while second-year tight end Kyle Pitts could quickly emerge as one of the best players at the position in all of football. The Falcons’ offense may have some growing pains this season, but fans can take comfort in knowing that it is all part of a process under head coach Arthur Smith.
Things look just as worrisome on defense for the Falcons. But let’s start with the positives: massively underrated cornerback AJ Terrell once again returns as a Falcon this season as the leader of a fairly decent secondary. Next to Casey Hayward, Richie Grant and Jaylinn Hawkins, the Falcons may be able to produce some decent numbers against opposing passers this season if they can stay healthy. In addition, Atlanta returns Pro Bowl linebacker Deion Jones in the middle of the field, who can be counted on for over 100 tackles this season over the course of 17 games. Outside of that, the defense may be in shambles. Lorenzo Carter and Rashaan Evans give Atlanta their best chance at the linebacking level next to Jones on defense, while a weak pass rush featuring little-known names outside of Grady Jarrett may be in trouble this season. In general, it is hard to imagine this team having any type of success in the win-loss column this season, even in a weak NFC that lacks some of the punch found in the AFC. But Atlanta should have an idea of which players will be on their roster for years to come through the ups and downs of this season, proving that there may be light at the end of the tunnel for a ballclub that could be in for a very long year.
Record: 3-14
Biggest Story to Watch: Can Mariota establish a connection with the Falcons’ young WRs?
Offensive MVP: Pitts
Defensive MVP: Terrell
NFC East
1. Dallas Cowboys
Few teams face more pressure to have potential playoff success this season than the Dallas Cowboys (via Blogging the Boys).
It has been another offseason full of mayhem and chaos in Big D, with plenty of offseason storylines paving the way for another eventful year in Dallas. Yet these Cowboys have a target on their back after last season’s success, which could ultimately lead the way to a mighty triumph or a disappointing crash as the harsh realities of winter creep closer and closer.
The Cowboys’ mismanagement of the clock in last year’s Wild Card playoff game against the 49ers has been on the minds of Dallas fans all offseason long, which has brought in plenty of pressure to the seat of head coach Mike McCarthy. The former Packers’ coach has had a very peculiar, yet impactful, tenure so far in Dallas, but there is no denying that Dallas has immense offensive talent as led by quarterback Dak Prescott. The Cowboys’ leader will be without Amari Cooper after Dallas moved him to Cleveland in this offseason, but look for Prescott to once again put up crazy stat lines next to a solid group of wide receivers led by elite route runner CeeDee Lamb as well as Michael Gallup, Jalen Tolbert and even underrated tight end Dalton Schultz. But even with the Cowboys’ weapons on the outside, their offensive line may be the overall key to their success. Injuries have dismantled this once-dominant group in recent seasons, but if the Cowboys can get full seasons out of elite lineman such as Tyron Smith, Terance Steele and Zack Martin, it could help lead the way to even more success for a ground game that may split snaps between Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. With depth and precision at every position, there is no reason why the Dallas offense should not rank among the top ten in all of football this season.
The Cowboys’ defense, as led by defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, was the breakout unit of the 2021 season, especially with the All-Pro rookie talents of Micah Parsons leading the way. Parsons did it all for the Cowboys in 2021, and he now enters Year 2 as the catalyst for this defense this season amid some offseason losses. With Randy Gregory now in Denver, the Cowboys will need even better production from DeMarcus Lawrence this season, who chips in on the defensive line next to Neville Gallimore and Dorance Armstrong. Meanwhile, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch once again returns to the starting lineup for the Cowboys, with the recently acquired Anthony Barr also slotted to fill in for the ‘Boys. Yet the Cowboys were a do-or-die defense throughout the 2021 season, which could be a troubling sign in terms of a potential repeat effort. This begins and ends with top corner Trevon Diggs, one of the most aggressive defensive backs in the league. Although he is not a true shutdown corner, his knack for the ball creates some game-changing plays for a focused unit also featuring Malik Hooker and Anthony Brown. Dallas definitely has its fair share of issues on both sides of the ball, but one thing separates them from all of the other teams in the division: their quarterback. Prescott is the biggest game-changer in the NFC East and even though his talents do not always jump off the page to the average fan, he is a steady presence inside a mess of an organization that continues to create headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Record: 9-8
Biggest Story to Watch: Are the Cowboys good enough to find a way to get to the NFC Championship?
Offensive MVP: Prescott
Defensive MVP: Parsons
2. Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles are looking to carry their momentum from last season into another successful season in Philly (via Philadelphia Eagles).
After some surprising success in the 2021 season, Philadelphia might have had one of the most impactful offseasons of any team in the NFL. With several key trades backed up by a solid draft process, head coach Nick Sirianni looks to once again guide Philly back into the postseason and make a deeper run into the glory days of January and February.
If there is one thing that is clear about the Eagles’ direction, it is that they are invested in giving quarterback Jalen Hurts all he needs to succeed this season. Once thought of as a project player, Hurts has emerged as a leader for the Eagles with his rare blend of size, speed and athleticism, three traits that continue to define the modern quarterback. Yet if Hurts wants to find success this year, he will need to make it happen through the air. The Eagles went out and traded for top ten wide receiver AJ Brown to pair next to youngster DeVonta Smith and athletic tight end Dallas Goedert, giving Philly a dynamic pass-catching trio. This will be important behind one of the game’s best offensive lines, which still features talented names such as Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata. With pass protection at the top of its game, Sirianni can afford to get creative with how the Eagles run the ball, especially with Hurts’ abilities complimenting a decent attack charged by Miles Sanders, Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell. If all things go well and Hurts proves to be the answer at quarterback for the Eagles this season, this could be a very lethal offense that could put up a flurry of points and dominate the clock each and every Sunday.
Although they do employ some aging names, the Eagles remain a steady defensive unit that has solid production across the board. This starts in the trenches with a ferocious defensive line still led by Fletcher Cox, who clogs lanes and causes havoc in the middle to set up lanes to the quarterback for Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat and Javon Hargrave. This is complimented nicely by a secondary that took a step forward last season, as cornerback Darius Slay increased his play in a major way. Big Play Slay should once again lead this group next to newly-acquired James Bradberry, Marcus Epps and Anthony Harris, helping to stop some of the better passing attacks in the conference. Yet linebacker still remains a question for the Eagles, even though they will turn toward a 4-3 scheme led by Haason Reddick, TJ Edwards, and Kyzir White. If this group can improve their play against the pass in the middle of the field while helping to limit the rushing attacks of opposing offenses, this group could be very successful this season. Yet the Eagles still look like a work-in-progress, especially with Hurts continuing to grow. Although they will be a very competitive team that could potentially take this division, we will take a “believe it when we see it” approach to a team with plenty of exciting, yet potentially crushing, questions on both sides of the football.
Record: 9-8
Biggest Story to Watch: How explosive will the Hurts and Brown connection be?
Offensive MVP: Brown
Defensive MVP: Cox
3. New York Giants
It has been a wild training camp full of scrutinized camp battles and excessive intensity on both sides of the ball for the New York Giants (via Big Blue View).
Few teams in the NFL have dealt with a more chaotic training camp period than the New York Football Giants, especially amid several camp fights and viral videos painting some of their top players in a bad light. But new head coach Brian Daboll appears up for the challenge in the Big Apple, which is key in his first season and in a division that appears wide open in 2022.
The success of the 2022 New York Giants may come down to one player: quarterback Daniel Jones. The former Duke product has dealt with a variety of ups and downs in his career, but this season marks the breaking point that will determine his future in New York City. Luckily for him, the Giants have addressed some issues on the offensive line and appear to be set to give Jones the best five-man front of his career. With young tackles Evan Neal and Andrew Thomas, with help in the middle from the steady Jon Feliciano, New York should take a step forward on offense from last year if they are healthy and at least competent on the offensive line. Yet health remains a big question for Giants, especially when it comes to running back Saquon Barkley. If the former Pro Bowler can find a way to stay on the field over the course of the year, paving the way for offensive success next to talented wide receivers such as Kadarius Toney, Kenny Golladay and Wan’Dale Robinson, the Giants’ offense may finally find some much-needed stability and be able to compete with the rest of the offenses in the NFC East.
Things appear to be unclear on defense for the Giants. Although it is hard to pin this as a bad group on paper entering the season, it is hard to imagine New York taking the league by storm with elite defensive play. Nevertheless, the Giants will throw out a decent defensive line led by Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence this season, while rookie pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux looks to contribute right away. This defensive front helps cloud some uncertainty at linebacker, although the steady Blake Martinez returns once again this year. Martinez, next to Tae Crowder and Azeez Ojulari, will need to have another solid year against some top end rushing attacks in the division, especially since the Giants may struggle in the secondary. While safety Xavier McKinney looks like the star among the group, New York will call upon former Trojan Adoree’ Jackson, Julian Love and Aaron Robinson in the starting lineup this year to improve a secondary that lost some pieces from a year ago. And even with some decent names across the board, this defense remains mediocre at best, which has been far too familiar of a trend for New York fans. It does not seem like the Giants will be one of the worst teams in all of football like they have been over the past few seasons, but their playoff hopes remain nonexistent at best entering the 2022 season.
Record: 6-11
Biggest Story to Watch: Can Jones prove to finally be the future answer?
Offensive MVP: Barkley
Defensive MVP: Williams
4. Washington Commanders
Carson Wentz enters the fold this season on offense for the newly-named Commanders (via Hogs Haven).
It is the first year of the Washington Commander era in the Nation’s Capital, which is an exciting notion for Washington D.C. sports fans looking for a return to glory. Yet the Commanders face a tough road back to the top in a weird NFC East, which will be an interesting story to watch as the season moves along.
Although Taylor Heinicke performed well in a relief role last season for the Commanders, quarterback Carson Wentz will start the season at quarterback for Washington. Wentz was shaky at times in Indianapolis last season and he now enters a make-or-break year for his career in Year 1 in Washington, but he will have a decent unit of pass catchers right next to him this year. Terry McLaurin is the alpha among this group, but he should get some more help this season next to Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson, while tight end Logan Thomas should be able to chip in with some redzone catches. In addition, running back Antonio Gibson is the lead back and remains one of the better runners in the NFC, and he will receive some help once again this year from the versatile and complimentary JD McKissic. Yet Washington will need a solid year out of their offensive line to produce at the highest level with Wentz and Gibson, turning focus toward a group with uncertain names such as Charles Leno Jr., Chase Roullier and Andrew Norwell. This unit needs to perform in a big way to keep the injury-riddled Wentz upright this season, and things could unravel quickly for this team if cracks in their armor start to emerge quickly.
Expectations were sky high last season for Washington’s defense coming off the success from 2020, but injuries and flat out disappointing production limited their capabilities all year long. Yet the Commanders still have one of the best pass rushing units in all of football, led by the uber talents of Chase Young. The former Buckeye leads a strong group next to Daron Payne, Montez Sweat and Jonathan Allen, who easily create one of the better groups in the NFL. Yet Washington still struggles at the second level and in the secondary. With Jamin Davis, David Mayo and Cole Holcomb scheduled to lead the way at the linebacking level, Washington will turn toward a secondary that needs to bounce back this season. With names such as Kendall Fuller, Kamren Curl and Bobby McCain, the Commanders’ defense will need to improve in a big way against the pass this season in a division that has some top talent at the wide receiver position. Head coach Ron Rivera has another challenge in front of him in getting Washington back into the playoffs, especially with so many questions on offense. The Commanders could surprise the league and finish at the top of this division, but until Wentz proves he is the answer at quarterback, it is difficult to have a ton of faith in this team.
Record: 6-11
Biggest Story to Watch: Can Wentz emerge as the future starter for the Commanders?
Offensive MVP: McLaurin
Defensive MVP: Young
NFC North
1. Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota has an explosive group of skill players, especially with Justin Jefferson leading the charge (via WWL-TV).
With former head coach Mike Zimmer now being replaced by the Rams’ 2021 OC in Kevin O’Connell, there is suddenly hope for a Vikings’ squad with plenty of elite players at key skill positions to take a leap forward this year. Yet the rival Packers still loom in the distance, bringing extra focus for Minnesota to finally get back to the top of the NFC North in a very winnable division in 2022.
One of the few teams in the league that does not start and end with their quarterback, Minnesota has an unreal group of running backs and wide receivers. Leading the way, however, is Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson, easily two of the best players at their respective positions in the league. While Cook just needs to stay healthy this season in order to produce at his normally high level, Jefferson could see even more targets in 2022 under O’Connell’s pass-heavy scheme. This could lead to elite receiving production for Jefferson and Adam Thielen, with occasional help from KJ Osborn. This very solid group should help make life easy for quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is coming off the best season of his career while in Minnesota. If Cousins’ workload can be eased by the backfield duo of Cook and Alexander Mattison, helping to create play-action opportunities that the quarterback excels at, this Vikings’ offense could be one of the best in the league. However, offensive line production could still be a problem. With a ragtag group featuring Brian O’Neill, Jesse Davis and Christian Darrisaw leading the way, Minnesota will need to be above average on the offensive front to truly meet their potential.
The Vikings also deploy a solid defense heading into the new year, led by a nice group of linebackers such as Eric Kendricks and Jordan Hicks. Those two help to cover the middle of the field against the run, while Minnesota’s defensive front features premier talent at the position such as Danielle Hunter and Harrison Phillips. Those two, along with newly acquired Za’Darius Smith, are some of the most important players on this defense in a division shared with Aaron Rodgers, especially with their tendencies to get after the passer in a hurry. Yet Minnesota’s secondary could make or break their success on defense this year. The Vikings do have an aging, but solid #1 corner in Patrick Peterson still, while rookie Andrew Booth Jr. and Cameron Dantzler help fill in at the other corner spot. In addition, veteran leader Harrison Smith helps form a decent safety duo with Lewis Cine. In general, the Vikings have a lot of talent at a lot of positions that has felt minimized in recent years. But with a new regime in charge, a favorable schedule and a lack of threats around them in the NFC North, this could finally be the year that the Vikings emerge as a real contender in the conference.
Record: 12-5
Biggest Story to Watch: Can the Vikings finally overcome the Packers?
Offensive MVP: Jefferson
Defensive MVP: Hunter
2. Green Bay Packers
No player in the NFL faces more pressure this year than Aaron Rodgers, especially after a tumultuous offseason full of contract disputes and strange headlines (via Washington Times).
Many teams could certainly present a case, but no organization in the NFL faced quite an offseason like the Green Bay Packers. Between oddball headlines, the trading of the best wide receiver in the NFL and a lack of free agency moves around their aging star quarterback, the Packers enter the new year with a ton of questions as they look to overcome the postseason horrors they have faced over the past two years.
“To Thine Own Self Be True”. If that’s the case for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, there is a lot going on upstairs right now. A contact dispute that worked well for Rodgers but may have jeopardized Green Bay’s chances at recruiting top talent was the story of the offseason, but #12 is back in action as the Packers’ signal caller. But with Davante Adams now in Las Vegas, Rodgers is a bit of a lone wolf on offense and will be forced to throw to a strange group of wide receivers such as Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins and rookie Christian Watson. Tight end Robert Tonyan also returns to round out Rodgers’ targets, but Green Bay does have a major advantage with an exceptional running back duo. Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon give the Packers a thunder and lightning duo behind Rodgers, and it would not be a surprise to see head coach Matt LaFleur turn toward a more run-focused approach this year to lighten Rodgers’ workload even further. This also comes behind a decent offensive line that includes David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins, which will truly set the tempo for this offense. It seems like a stretch to say that Green Bay will be a top offense this year, but maybe the lack of psychedelic treatment is preventing us from saying this will be the best year of the Rodgers-era.
Things are also strange at a lot of positions on defense. However, the Packers do deploy one of the best secondaries in all of football, especially with Jaire Alexander healthy and returning to full duties as Green Bay’s top corner. Alexander, Eric Stokes, Darnell Savage and Adrian Amos help fill in the rest of the position group, and it does not feel out of pocket to say that this might be one of the best secondary lineups in the NFC. Meanwhile, the second level seems a little thin with Preston Smith, De’Vondre Campbell and Quay Walker, while Green Bay’s pass rush may be a struggle this year. Although longtime Packer Kenny Clark returns on the defensive front next to Dean Lowry and Jarran Reed, Green Bay seems to lack a top of difference makers in the front seven that will help to apply overwhelming pressure on opposing offenses this season. Combining this with the questions on their own offense seems like a big issue for the Packers entering the new year, especially with the Packers facing a brutal slate to open up the season. Rodgers’ talent alone may be enough to propel the Packers back into the playoffs this season in such a weak conference, but 2022 seems like another year where Green Bay will stumble early on in the postseason.
Record: 10-7
Biggest Story to Watch: How will they replace Davante Adams’ prior production?
Offensive MVP: Rodgers
Defensive MVP: Alexander
3. Detroit Lions
It has been a tough couple of years for the Lions, but time and roster continuity could help Detroit put together a better season in 2022 (via Sports Illustrated).
Scrappy and resilient, the Detroit Lions’ 2021 record was not truly defined by their record. With a lack of standout talent to go along with a new regime in charge, the Lions found a way to push through the season with all they had, nearly upsetting several playoff teams along the way. But 2022 may be a step forward for the Lions, especially with head coach Dan Campbell continuing to lead the way forward for a Detroit fan base that desperately wants to win.
Slowly but surely, the Lions are getting there on offense. Although there is no indication whether or not he will be their quarterback in the long-term, quarterback Jared Goff leads the way again for the Lions. Detroit, even through the losses last year, decided to stick with the former Ram all year long, and Goff started to find his groove late in the year with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. The former USC standout leads the way at the receiver position next to DJ Chark and rookie Jameson Williams, while power back D’Andre Swift leads the way as the ultimate weapon on offense for these Lions. While Jamaal Williams will get the occasional rep as a scat back, Swift is easily the best player on this offense and could finish near the top of the league in rushing. Yet the Lions have an underrated strength on offense: the offensive line. A very young and athletic group, Detroit will turn toward some young studs such as Taylor Decker, Penei Sewell and Halapoulivaati Vaitai, all of whom will help to protect Goff and pave running lanes for Swift and Williams. While this group does not stand out as one of the better units in the NFL on paper, expect Detroit to be very solid and put up a fair amount of points this season.
On defense, things seem a little more uncertain. Things are, once again, young across the board on the defensive side for Detroit, starting with a spry secondary featuring Jeff Okudah, DeShon Elliott, Tracy Walker III, and Amani Oruwariye. This group will need to step up in a big way this season in order for Detroit to limit the amount of shootouts that they often dealt with last season, especially since a lack of pass rush once again remains an issue. Yet the Lions did draft Aidan Hutchinson with their first round pick this season, who will make an immediate impact and help get after the passer next to Michael Brockers, Alim McNeill and Romeo Okwara. In the middle, Detroit turns toward their 4-3 approach with the trio of Julian Okwara, Alex Anzalone and Chris Board, which may be the most challenging spot on defense for the Lions. Although their defense is young and a little thin, Detroit has enough on both sides of the ball to double their win total from last season and enter each week as a tough out. This is due in large part to a soft division around them, but anything near 6 or 7 wins would seem like a major victory for a team that is experiencing a full rebuild from the bottom up.
Record: 7-10
Biggest Story to Watch: Can Detroit go at least .500 in the division?
Offensive MVP: Swift
Defensive MVP: Hutchinson
4. Chicago Bears
It could be tough sledding for Justin Fields and a young Bears’ offense in 2022 (via NBC Sports).
Things look nothing short of bleak right now in the Windy City, especially with so much of the Bears’ roster drained heading into the year. Without any sort of young and promising players outside of their quarterback and leading wide receiver, this could be an extremely challenging year for Chicago fans who dream of returning to the top of the division above the rival Packers and Vikings.
It is difficult to imagine that the Bears have any sort of real chance at making the playoffs this season, which means that the development of Justin Fields has to be their primary goal entering the year. Yet Chicago did a very poor job of surrounding the former Ohio State stud with any sort of weapons outside of Darnell Mooney and tight end Cole Kmet, as little-known players such as N’Keal Harry and Byron Pringle will be forced into starting roles on offense. At the very least, running back David Montgomery should enter the year as Chicago’s best player on offense and should be one of the top backs in football in terms of rushing yards if he can stay healthy. He will certainly have a tough time doing so, however, behind a shaky Chicago line. Although the position group is a little better than it has been in recent years, the Bears’ offensive front looks old and patchy with names such as Riley Reiff, Michael Schofield, Cody Whitehair and Teven Jenkins leading the way. But if this group can get any sort of production and stay together over the course of the year, Chicago should at least have some type of idea about what Fields can do and how much he produces as the leader of a franchise.
The Bears took an alternate route in their path toward hiring a head coach for this season, as they brought in former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus to lead the charge for the Chicago defense. And things will be tough early on for Eberful, as the Bears do not have nearly the talent that his former Colts did on that side of the football. At the very least, the Bears will bring back underrated pass rusher Robert Quinn, who collected 18.5 sacks last season as the superstar on this defense. Quinn, next to Trevis Gipson and Justin Jones, leads the way on the defensive front for the Bears, while standout linebacker Roquan Smith should fill in the middle of the field for Chicago. Yet the Bears are dealing with a contract standoff with the former Pro Bowler in Smith, and may have to look toward names such as Matt Adams and Nicholas Morrow to cover his production. In the secondary, the Bears still run out the talented Eddie Jackson at free safety, while defensive backs such as Duke Shelley, Jaylon Johnson and Jaquan Brisker fill in the rest of the starting lineup. The Bears have some interesting pieces that could make an impact under Eberflus, but do not expect any sort of numbers in the upper echelon for this unit. It appears to be a year of growth and focus toward the future for the Bears, which will be a frustrating sight for fans but could be a major step forward for an organization that has long ignored the potential impacts of a full-blown rebuild.
Record: 4-13
Biggest Story to Watch: Can Fields prove to be the QB of the future in Chicago?
Offensive MVP: Montgomery
Defensive MVP: Quinn
NFC Playoff Picture
Los Angeles Rams (12-5)
Minnesota Vikings (12-5)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
Dallas Cowboys (9-8)
San Francisco 49ers (10-7)
Green Bay Packers (10-7)
New Orleans Saints (9-8)
Arizona Cardinals (9-8)
Philadelphia Eagles (9-8)
Detroit Lions (7-10)
Carolina Panthers (6-11)
New York Giants (6-11)
Washington Commanders (6-11)
Chicago Bears (4-13)
Seattle Seahawks (3-14)
Atlanta Falcons (3-14)
NFC Playoff Predictions
Poised for another run at each other after a playoff classic last season, the Rams and Bucs look destined to meet up again in the NFC playoffs (via Bucs Nation).
Wild Card Weekend
#1 Los Angeles Rams: BYE
#2 Minnesota Vikings over #7 New Orleans Saints
#3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers over #6 Green Bay Packers
#5 San Francisco 49ers over #4 Dallas Cowboys
Divisional Round
#1 Los Angeles Rams over #5 San Francisco 49ers
#3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers over #2 Minnesota Vikings
NFC Championship Game
#3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers over #1 Los Angeles Rams