NFL 2022 predictions

A new NFL season is here, and it's time to do some predicting.

Might as well start with the Vikings, and the dawn of the Kevin O'Connell era. 

My enthusiasm for this hire has not wavered. I think this guy will do great things in Minnesota. But with that optimism, there is also the reality that, historically, rookie head coaches can struggle just like players do.

I don't think the Vikings will end their super bowl drought this year. Rookie coaches don't take non-playoff teams to such heights in year one. No HC has done it since before I was born.

But I absolutely think this should be a playoff team. They were 8-9 last year with a historically un-clutch defense, and facing an extremely tough schedule. This year's schedule appears much less daunting, and there is simply no way this revamped defense can possibly give up as many points in the final minutes of halves.

Kirk Cousins is going to have his finest season. He put up great numbers even with a coach doing everything possible to limit him. Now he has a real offensive coach ready to unleash him, and one of the best collections of skill weapons in the NFL. The offensive line, aside from the giant question mark that is Bradbury, looks to be as solid as it's been in many years. Plus I have to think KOC understands that you can coach around weak spots on a line.

The new 3-4 defense depends on health. Danielle Hunter needs to be on the field. Za'Darius Smith needs to stay healthy too. Keep those two out there and it will help everybody, especially a secondary that is still pretty thin at corner. 

I'm not expecting anything extraordinary from this defense. I expect this to be a team very much led by its offense. No more of this Zimmer era stuff where, hey, we get a 7 point lead and sit on it. I expect this team to have an aggressive offense, one that controls games.

I always lean optimistic towards the Vikings, but I simply do not see how this team does not improve by at least 2 or 3 wins this year, unless KOC is just an awful in-game coach. 

Is that enough to overtake the Packers? It pretty much depends on if the Packers are once again in that 13 win range, or if they tail off some. Rodgers can't very well be in chip-on-shoulder mode anymore, and he lost his 2 best receivers. If the latter happens, the north is winnable for the Vikings. If not, then it will be wild card time. 

My guess here is that the Vikings improve more than the Packers fall. Having that week 17 game at Lambeau is huge. But it will be a legitimate race. 11-6 for the Vikings, and we win a playoff game. 

Elsewhere in the north, I think the Lions will be pesky. All 3 should feast on the Bears, who could compete for the #1 overall pick.

And elsewhere in the NFC, oh look, a Tom Brady team is about to benefit immensely from a very easy division, which should make it pretty easy to get home field advantage. Never seen THAT before. Nobody else in the south is any good. The Saints and Panthers will win some games but are no threat. Atlanta is awful.

My 1 surprise pick is Washington to win the east. I think Wentz will be just good enough to help that defense out. If I'm wrong, then it's probably Dallas again (who I have as a wild card). I'm not really buying the Philly steam. The Giants will improve a little with Daboll but have a long way to go. 

In the west we have a two team race with the 49ers and Rams. This will likely be decided by whether or not the move from Garappolo to Lance works. I think Lance will deliver, so I have the Niners taking the division, with the Rams as a very strong wild card. Arizona could go either way, but they seem to be trending way down. Seattle will be wretched. 

In the loaded AFC, I have the Bills as the favorites. If they hold on in Kansas City they're probably defending champs already. I think they take the east easily, and nab the #1 seed. I think Miami's improved and will compete with the Patriots for 2nd. The Jets again sit in last. 

In the north, we have the super bowl loser curse knocking the Bengals down into a wild card. I have a healthy Ravens team taking the division back. The Steelers remain competitive post-Ben but don't make the playoffs. And Cleveland gets the crummy season they deserve.

In the south, I couldn't quite pull the trigger on my out there pick of Jacksonville. I really do think they could be this year's Bengals, but I chickened out and went with the Colts. If Matt Ryan has anything left they should be pretty good. The Titans will fall back but still be in the mix. The Texans have nothing.

The west will be a bloodbath. It seems inevitable that the Chiefs streak ends, and I think Denver will be the team to do it. Russell Wilson will finally give them good QB play again, and help out that defense. The Chiefs will finish 2nd, but on any given day they can still beat anybody. The Chargers will finally make the playoffs with Herbert. I think Vegas is the odd team out. 

My super bowl pick?

In the interest of not vomiting, I couldn't bring myself to pick Tampa. I actually have the 49ers taking them down in the NFC title game.

In the AFC, it's Buffalo. Especially if they get that #1 seed. Nobody is going into Buffalo and winning in January.

And, yes, this will hurt us Vikings fans, but I think our days having 0-4 super bowl company are numbered.

The Buffalo Bills are going to win Super Bowl 57.