The NFL is always a tough league to predict, with so many variables changing from one season to the next. “Any given Sunday” is a phrase that’s best used to describe the NFL because any team could win any game. Even if it’s difficult to predict, that won’t stop us from giving it a shot! Let’s look at my stat projections and the teams I believe will make it to the playoffs in 2022. Additionally, my projected player stats and some of the players who could be leading the charge for their teams.
Projected AFC Division Records
AFC East
1. Buffalo Bills (13-4)
2. New England Patriots (10-7)
3. Miami Dolphins (8-9)
4. New York Jets (6-11)
AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens (11-6)
2. Cincinnati Bengals (10-7)
3. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-9)
4. Cleveland Browns (6-11)
AFC South
1. Tennessee Titans (10-7)
2. Indianapolis Colts (10-7)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-12)
4. Houston Texans (4-13)
AFC West
1. Los Angeles Chargers (13-4)
2. Kansas City Chiefs (12-5)
3. Las Vegas Raiders (9-8)
4. Denver Broncos (9-8)
Projected NFC Division Records
NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
2. Dallas Cowboys (9-8)
3. Washington Commanders (7-10)
4. New York Giants (4-13)
NFC North
1. Minnesota Vikings (11-6)
2. Green Bay Packers (11-6)
3. Chicago Bears (4-13)
4. Detroit Lions (3-14)
NFC South
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-6)
2. Carolina Panthers (8-9)
3. New Orleans Saints (7-10)
4. Atlanta Falcons (3-14)
NFC West
1. Arizona Cardinals (12-5)
2. Los Angeles Rams (11-6)
3. San Francisco 49ers (9-8)
4. Seattle Seahawks (4-13)
Projected Stat Leaders
NFL Predictions – 2022 NFL Passing Leaders
1. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers – 5,089 yards
2. Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders – 4,982 yards
3. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals –4,889 yards
4. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills – 4,850 yards
5. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs – 4,802 yards
NFL Predictions– 2022 Rushing Yards Leaders
1. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts – 1,720 yards
2. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings – 1,602 yards
3. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans – 1,545 yards
4. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns – 1,460 yards
5. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers – 1,450 yards
NFL Predictions – 2022 Receiving Yardage Leaders
1. Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals – 1,915 yards
2. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings – 1,905 yards
3. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys – 1,748 yards
4. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams – 1,680 yards
5. Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders – 1,590 yards
NFL Predictions – 2022 Interceptions Leaders
1. Eric Stokes, Green Bay Packers – 8 interceptions
2. Micah Hyde, Buffalo Bills – 7 interceptions
3. Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams – 7 interceptions
4. Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos – 6 interceptions
5. Paulson Adebo, New Orleans Saints – 5 interceptions
NFL Predictions – 2022 Sacks Leaders
1. T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers – 20 sacks
2. Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns – 19.5 sacks
3. Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers – 17.5 sacks
4. Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams – 16 sacks
5. Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers – 16 sacks
Projected Player Awards
Offensive Player of the Year: Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals, WR)
Defensive Player of the Year: T.J. Watt (Steelers, LB)
Coach of the Year: Brandon Staley (Chargers, HC)
Comeback Player of the Year: Christian McCaffrey (Panthers, RB)
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Quay Walker (Packers, LB)
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Chris Olave (Saints, WR)
MVP: Justin Herbert (Chargers, QB)
Playoffs
AFC Championship: Buffalo Bills vs. Los Angeles Chargers
NFC Championship: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Arizona Cardinals
Super Bowl: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Arizona Cardinals
Super Bowl Champion: Los Angeles Chargers
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Thomas’ Thoughts:
- I went outside the box with my Super Bowl prediction. Buffalo will be the consensus pick to come out of the AFC, but the Chargers are just as talented. In the end, it could come down to who gets home-field advantage.
- The NFC is wide open. People like to make fun of Kyler Murray, but I still feel the best is yet to come for him as a player.
- Tampa Bay is a complete Wild Card this year. Could we finally see Tom Brady take a step back?
- The Eagles could be a surprise team to come out of the NFC.
- Tyreek Hill is a bigger loss for Pat Mahomes than critics want to believe. They’ll still be in the mix for the AFC crown but missing that speed threat hurts. The Chiefs will take a step back this year.
- The same could be said with Aaron Rodgers missing his star wideout Devante Adams. I might be called crazy for this prediction, but the Vikings could put everything together and win the North.
- I love Chris Olave and what he can bring to that New Orleans offense.
- I’m feeling a breakout season from CeeDee Lamb in Dallas.
- T.J. Watt will continue to be T.J. Watt and bring home back-to-back DPOY awards.
- The Giants bottom out this season and secure their QB of the future in the 2023 draft.
- Jonathan Taylor will lead the league in rushing yards and be the most valuable player in fantasy football.
- Could be a rough first year for Russell Wilson in Denver as he adjusts to the AFC.
- I’m curious to see how much Josh Allen will be running the ball in 2022 – Do you want your franchise QB exposed like that?
- The Ravens will lead the league in rushing…again.
- Ja’Marr Chase & Justin Jefferson battle it out for receiving yards leader.
- I loved the Jaguars bringing in Doug Peterson – he’ll help Lawrence make some progress after a dismal rookie campaign.
- Travis Ettiene could be a sneaky fantasy pickup that could pay dividends.
- Justin Herbert takes an MVP leap and competes with Josh Allen for the prize.
- Christian McCaffrey will finally stay healthy for an entire season.
- Derek Carr could lead the league in passing under Josh McDaniel’s offense.
- The Bears will realize that Justin Fields is not the franchise QB.
- The Patriots get into the playoffs in the loaded AFC, and Damien Harris leads the league in rushing touchdowns.
- Dallas will make the playoffs again this season but will be another one-and-done performance.
- Jalen Hurts will be a fantasy football star that will win people their leagues.
- Aaron Rodgers will still be good but ultimately take a step back this season.
- I’m curious about what we see in Pittsburgh at the QB position.
- I’m not sure I believe Tua is a franchise QB, but having two burners on the outside will help them battle for second place with the Pats