Updated 2022 win-loss predictions for all 32 NFL teams
Who will do what? A look into the crystal football
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL season is weeks away. Time to gaze into the crystal football and come up with predictions for all 32 teams. Will your favorite squad have success and wind up in the playoffs? Or will they be playing for a high draft pick come November?
Arizona Cardinals
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Kyler Murray seems to be settled … for now. Not going to believe the Cardinals’ fast start last year will be repeated, and that will prove damaging to the overall mark in the long run. Record: 9-8
Atlanta Falcons
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Arthur Smith is going to wind up with a quarterback controversy between Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder. That will turn into a bigger storyline than the Falcons’ playoff dreams. Record: 7-10
Baltimore Ravens
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No team was bitten by injuries more than the Ravens last year, and they won eight games. If players stay healthy — and that is a big if — the team has a good chance to go from last to first in the AFC North. Record: 11-6
Buffalo Bills
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The dominant team in the AFC. Do not look for the Bills to have as many slip-ups as they had in 2021. Record: 13-4
Carolina Panthers
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It won’t matter whether it is Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold: The Panthers are going to be at the bottom of the NFC South. Record: 5-12
Chicago Bears
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Going to be a long first season for Matt Eberflus. The Bears don’t figure to scare anyone in the coach’s first season. Record: 6-11
Cincinnati Bengals
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When you are the hunted, life is much more difficult every week. The Bengals’ road to a return trip to the Super Bowl will not be smooth sailing for Zac Taylor. Record: 10-7
Cleveland Browns
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The Deshaun Watson circus will take its toll. And since he is going to miss at least half the year — and probably more — the Browns are going to start focusing on 2023 before they would like. Record: 6-11
Dallas Cowboys
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The Cowboys look to repeat in the NFC East, a division that sees teams take turns at the top. This year won’t be any different, and while there will be success in Dallas, it likely won’t be enough to keep the fans of America’s Team happy. Record: 10-7
Denver Broncos
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The Broncos solved the problem at quarterback by landing Russell Wilson. That’s a great start. However, Nathaniel Hackett has a lot of work to complete before this team becomes a deep playoff contender. Record: 9-8
Detroit Lions
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The Lions will play hard for Dan Campbell and they will be in a lot of close games—unfortunately, they will still come up short in most. The team is improving. It just had so far to go when Campbell took the job. Stick with them. Record: 7-10
Green Bay Packers
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There is no Davante Adams and there won’t be a fourth straight 13-win season for Matt LaFleur. Record: 12-5
Houston Texans
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Lovie Smith gets another shot as an NFL head coach. This team is beyond a project. After what happened to David Culley, let’s hope Smith gets more than 17 games to prove himself. Record: 5-12
Indianapolis Colts
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The never-ending search for a veteran QB to lead Indy lands on Matt Ryan in 2022. There was no future in Atlanta, and if Ryan has anything left, the Colts will be a team to watch carefully. Record: 11-6
Jacksonville Jaguars
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Doug Pederson did not turn the Eagles around in a year, and he had more talent there. Jacksonville is a project like Houston. The Khan family needs to show patience here. Pederson and the Jags have to escape a mighty deep hole left by others. Record: 4-13
Kansas City Chiefs
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The Chiefs don’t have Tyreek Hill. They do still have Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and a lot of talent. The road to the AFC West title won’t be as smooth as in the past but in the end, look for KC to stand atop the division. Record: 11-6
Las Vegas Raiders
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Davante Adams is a massive get for the Raiders. Whether Josh McDaniels is the right guy will only be known over time. His first attempt at head coaching in the AFC West backfired. Record: 10-7
Los Angeles Chargers
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The buzz team every year somehow manages to underdeliver. So, rather than predict the Chargers to come up with double-digit wins and earn a playoff spot, let’s make them prove it and prove this wrong: Record: 8-9
Los Angeles Rams
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The season hinges on the tendinitis in Matthew Stafford’s elbow. If it is a bigger problem than what’s being let on, the Rams will have enormous hurdles to clear in order to repeat as NFC West champs, let alone Super Bowl champs. Record: 12-5
Miami Dolphins
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Mike McDaniel steps into a decent spot as a first-year head coach. However, a lot of the opening weeks (snaps?) will be heavily focused on whether or not Tua Tagovailoa can prove he’s the franchise quarterback. The guess here is the rookie ride will be bumpy. Record: 6-11
Minnesota Vikings
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New coach and a lot of the same results. Kirk Cousins is what he is. Enjoy watching Justin Jefferson, he’s a prize. Record: 6-11
New England Patriots
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Don’t think Bill Belichick and Mac Jones have what it takes to slug it out with the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots will win a bunch of games, but don’t expect a deep playoff run. Yet. Record: 10-7
New Orleans Saints
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Would love for Dennis Allen to thrive after the great work he did fixing New Orleans’ broken defense. The offense is the problem now. A healthy Michael Thomas would go a long way to help make this team excel. Record: 9-8
New York Giants
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Brian Daboll is going to recognize quickly he has signed on for a major rebuild. A poor record and you can start over by drafting a quarterback high in the 2023 NFL draft. Record: 3-14
New York Jets
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The Jets’ draft had everyone glowing. Then the first preseason game happened and Zach Wilson crumbled. If they rush him back for the regular season, this could go from sad to worse. With or without Wilson, the Jets have a lot of work to do. Record: 4-13
Philadelphia Eagles
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Jalen Hurts is in a similar situation to Tua Tagovailoa. The time to prove it is now, especially with A.J. Brown paired with DeVonta Smith. The top of the NFC East figures to be a two-team race. Record: 11-6
Pittsburgh Steelers
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Whether Mitch Trubisky or Mason Rudolph is under center, the Steelers are going to endure some pain now that Ben Roethlisberger is gone. No matter how much of a shell he was of himself last year. Mike Tomlin remains—and that is a wonderful thing. Record: 9-8
San Francisco 49ers
: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Trey Lance has the keys to the offense and Kyle Shanahan has to hope it will hum. Record: 9-8
Seattle Seahawks
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That winning feeling was gone long before Russell Wilson was dealt to Denver. Geno Smith? Drew Lock? Neither of them is the answer to the quarterback problem Pete Carroll faces. Record: 4-13
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Look for Todd Bowles to enjoy being a head coach of the Buccaneers far more than he did when holding the job with the New York Jets. And yeah, Tom Brady is back. Record: 12-5
Tennessee Titans
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Derrick Henry must stay on the field for this record to happen. Any absence of the best back in the league and the Titans are in trouble. Record: 11-6
Washington Commanders
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I like Ron Rivera. Just wish he was in a better spot with a better organization. The Commanders will be in charge of third place in the NFC East. Record: 5-12
