2022 NFL preview

 We are six days away from the start of the 2022 season. In a switch, the NFL is giving teams a week off prior to the start of the season, which might be a good thing in the long term.

AFC East:

Scandal is plaguing defending division champion Buffalo, having been forced to cut rookie punter Matt Araiza last week over a rape case that took place during his senior season at San Diego State. By the time the season ends, it will be little more than small potatoes, at least until Araiza resurfaces elsewhere. Otherwise, the Bills' core remains largely intact for another post-season run.

You know things are bad in New England when the Patriots finished 1-2 in the preseason, and there are still some concerns with 2nd year QB Mac Jones. The Jets finished 3-0, but that doesn't always translate into a playoff run. Miami made a bunch of questionable decisions, and lost draft picks. Their biggest off-season move, signing Tyreek Hill (Kansas City), won't net them a playoff spot.

Projected order of finish:

1. Buffalo.

2. New England.

3. Jets.

3 (tie). Miami.

AFC North:

The saga of Mitch Trubisky, once a promising star in Chicago, brings him to Pittsburgh, where he'll be either starting or mentoring rookie Kenny Pickett. Mason Rudolph could end up the odd man out. Cincinnati won't sneak up on anyone this season, and will compete for the wild card instead of a division title. Lamar Jackson's facing questions about his future in Baltimore, but if he finds his groove, the Ravens will be poised for a division title. DeShaun Watson won't see the field in Cleveland until they face his former team, Houston, in Week 13. An 11 game suspension is a stiff price for all those allegations of sexual misconduct, most of which have been settled out of court.

Projected order of finish:

1. Baltimore.

2. Pittsburgh.

3. Cincinnati.

4. Cleveland.

AFC South:

Doug Pederson won a Super Bowl in Philadelphia, but now he's being asked to right the ship in Jacksonville and help 2nd year QB Trevor Lawrence find his footing. Needs more than that. The post-Watson era actually began last year in Houston, but now that he's officially gone, and the ambulance chaser that ran him out has faded away, they can get back to the business of football. It's still a two-team race, though, between Tennessee & Indianapolis.

Projected order of finish:

1. Tennessee.

2. Indianapolis.

3. Houston.

4. Jacksonville.

AFC West:

Kansas City faces a more uphill climb, with Tyreek Hill gone (Miami), and defenses will focus more on Patrick Mahomes. They'll still make a run, and maybe win another division title. Denver swapped quarterbacks with Seattle, and signed Russell Wilson to a 5 year extension on Thursday. Wilson could get that elusive Super Bowl yet. Las Vegas faded down the stretch last year, and can't afford to have that happen again. Los Angeles had the same thing happen to them. This year, it will be a 4-way dogfight up to about Christmas.

Projected order of finish:

1. Los Angeles.

2. Kansas City.

2 (tie). Denver.

2 (tie). Las Vegas.

NFC East:

Why Washington owner Daniel "Napoleon" Snyder waited so long to change the team's name to Commanders, I'll never know. Should've done that years ago. Unfortunately, they're as dysfunctional as ever. If Dak Prescott and Dallas can't silence their critics, even with a division title, I think Dak can sell those nay-sayers some Sleep Number beds. Their defense, though, will carry them again. The Giants teased their fan base with two straight comeback wins, but couldn't put away the Jests. That's trouble. Philadelphia did a fade, but can always be counted on to spoil the Giants' post-season dreams.

Projected order of finish:

1. Dallas.

2. Philadelphia.

3. Giants.

4. Washington.

NFC North:

As long as Aaron Rodgers stays in Green Bay, Jordan Love is not going to get his chance to be the starting quarterback. I don't think Rodgers has been totally forgiven for being an anti-vax jabroni last year, but, well......! It's year 2 for Justin Fields in Chicago, and the pressure is already on. Ditto for Jared Goff in Detroit, which stops their teases after Thanksgiving. Minnesota didn't look like they actually did anything to help themselves in the draft.

Projected order of finish:

1. Green Bay.

2. Chicago.

3. Minnesota. 

3(tie). Detroit.

NFC South:

Lost in the Tom Brady soap opera in Tampa Bay is the fact that OJ Howard is gone (Houston), along with Rob Gronkowski, who was last seen on a UFC Fight Night with his family on ESPN 2 weeks ago. Maybe Gronk wants to embarrass himself in the Octagon next. Carolina got Baker Mayfield (Cleveland) to solve their QB problem, which could mean the end of those Progressive Insurance commercials. Cam Newton is still waiting for a phone call. Atlanta ended the Matt Ryan era by trading him to Indianapolis, signaling that they're still in rebuilding mode. The goal for New Orleans is to keep Jameis Winston healthy. Yeah, that'll work.

Projected order of finish:

1. Tampa Bay.

2. Carolina.

3. New Orleans.

4. Atlanta.

NFC West:

After all the drama, San Francisco realized that Jimmy Garappolo is their best chance at QB to lead them back to the Super Bowl, so they decided not to move him. Unfortunately, they do have other headaches, such as Deebo Samuel asking for a trade. Drew Lock hasn't exactly warmed up the fan base in Seattle, and coach Pete Carroll decided to name Geno Smith as his starting QB, nearly 10 years after Smith was drafted by the Jests. Lock threw 3 interceptions against Dallas last week, which gave him a seat on the bench. Los Angeles remains the team to beat, but Arizona needs to avoid another desert collapse, because another late season fade could send Kliff Kingsbury out of town.

Projected order of finish:

1. Los Angeles.

2. San Francisco.

3. Arizona.

4. Seattle.

Of course, I could be wrong.