The NFL officially started this past Thursday, however, NFL Sundays arrives tomorrow. Here are my season long picks and end of season award picks.
AFC Division Champs:
(East) Bills: Josh Allen and company own this division for the for seeable future. Dolphins can challenge but the QB play will determine that (cliche sorry!)
(North) Bengals: In one of the toughest divisions having been weakened by Deshaun Watson suspension and Big Ben retirement. For the 2022 season, it comes down to the Bengals and the Ravens. The Bengals can run and throw, which will allow them to win 2 to 3 more games than the Ravens unless Lamar has another MVP-type season.
(South) Indianapolis: Playing in one of the worst divisions, Matt Ryan steadies the ship for an easy playoff birth.
(West) Broncos: This division is loaded and anyone can make a claim to be the best team here. When said and done, Denver has a top-tier QB with the addition of Wilson and has the better defense.
Wild Cards:
Dolphins: 2022 season rests solely on Tua’s ability to hit deep passes and be a franchise qb. The Dolphins play in a tough division but also have one of the best defenses and speed all over the offense.
Raiders: Another team in a tough division finds its way into the playoffs on the arm of potential MVP candidate Derek Carr. With the addition of former college teammate Devante Adams, the Raiders put up enough points to secure a playoff birth
NFC Division Champs:
(East) Eagles: In one of the more watched divisions in the NFL, Jalen Hurts is primed to put up MVP numbers in an offense with one of the best receiving duos in the league and a threat to run the ball.
(North) Vikings: When your offense has 1 of the premiere running backs and wide recivers in the league, scoring points should never be a problem. End of day the team who scores more wins. Vikings find a way into the playoffs as long as Delvin Cook stays healthy.
(South) Buccaneers: Tom Brady.
(West) Rams: Used to be one of the toughest divisions but with Russell Wilson no longer in Seattle and Arizona dealing with DeAndre Hopkins suspension. This year will be an easy playoff birth. Unless Trey Lance plays lights out.
Wild Cards:
Panthers: They may have not been on anyone’s radar pre-Mayfield trade. The defense was steady and respectful. The offense has 2 of the top weapons in the league. A healthy Chrisitian McCaffrey and an offense that doesn’t keep putting the defense back on the field led by Baker Mayfield, put this team in the playoffs.
Packers: Aaron Rodgers and company play in one of the weaker divisions. Losing Adams may hurt but may open the offense and not be so predictable.
End of the year awards
MVP: (Picking Josh Allen is to easy) J Hurts … his ability to put up running numbers and having one of the best wide receiver duos in the league make for an easy MVP year as long as we don’t go on popularity contest.
DPOY: TJ Watt … The top sack man since coming in the league, continues wrecking havoc and putting up numbers.
CPOY: Baker Mayfield … headlining one of the craziest off-seasons. A healthy Mayfield finds himself in a more-loaded offense and a scheme that isn’t outdated.
ROY: this year’s draft class is a hard one to say who will win. So I will just say the guy that I think will get a lot of recognition is George Pickens in Pittsburgh. They found their Hines Ward 2.0 in Pickens.
COY: Matt Rhule. Just as Kevin Stefanski won his award based on how horrible the team was expected to be, and turned around into a playoff team, Panthers make the playoffs this year will ensure Rhule wins the award.
Super Bowl: Bills vs Buccaneers
Winner: Buccaneers
MVP: Tom Brady