NFL 2022 Season Preview - JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS                                                            

 

2021 Record - 3-14-0 

 

Head Coach - Doug Pederson 

 

New Additions - Christian Kirk (WR), Zay Jones (WR), Even Engram (TE), Foye Oluokun (LB), Foley Fatukasi (DL), Arden Key (DL), Darious Williams (DB), Brandon Scherff (OL)

 

Offensive Rank in 2021 - 27th (305 YPG); Scoring - 32nd (14.9 PPG)

Defensive Rank in 2021 - 20th (353 YPG); Scoring - 28th (26.9 PPG)

Trevor Lawrence is in his second season and will be the quarterback after passing for 3,641 yards and twelve touchdowns as well as 17 interceptions in his rookie year. He also rushed for 346 yards and scored twice. The running backs include James Robinson (767 yards, 4.7 YPC average and eight TD) and Travis Etienne, Jr., who missed all of the 2021 season with a severe foot injury. Marvin Jones led the Jaguars with 73 receptions and scored four touchdowns along with 832 receiving yards. He will be joined by Zay Jones (coming over from Las Vegas) and Christian Kirk, who made 77 catches for 982 yards and five touchdowns with the Arizona Cardinals last year. Laviska Shenault, Jr. (63, 619 yards), Laquon Treadwell (33, 434, one TD) and Jamal Agnew are also available. The tight ends are Dan Arnold (28, 324 yards) and Evan Engram, who was the New York Giants top receiver in 2021 with 46 receptions (408 yards) and three scores. 

Defensively, the Jags will feature nose man Malcolm Brown up front along with ends Arden Key (6 1/2 QB sacks with San Francisco) and Dawuane Smoot (six sacks) while linebacker Josh Allen (seven sacks) teams with Foye Oluokun, who made 192 tackles and had three interceptions with Atlanta a year ago. Rookies Devin Lloyd (Utah) and top draft pick Travon Walker (Georgia) will have the chance to be starters at linebacker as well. In the secondary is safety Rayshawn Jenkins along with corners Tyson Campbell (two picks), Shaquill Griffin and Darious Williams.

 

Outlook for 2022 season - Jacksonville was a mess a year ago, but now with new Head Coach Doug Pederson, who has had success as a Super Bowl winner in Philadelphia five years ago, the team will look to make strides in the upcoming season. 

Lawrence made a lot of rookie mistakes as the starting QB, but also showed some flashes that he could be a good one in the near future. Having a better coaching staff in camp will go a long way in his development at the pro level. The running game should get a boost with Etienne playing along with Robinson this season. The wide receiving corps will have a fresh look with three new faces for Lawrence to throw to.

As long as this team plays solid defense (several free agents were signed this off-season and two impact rookies were drafted to step right in) and the offense is more consistent, then Jacksonville should win more than just three games in 2022. However, they have to score a lot more after finishing last in the NFL in that area last season. The future could be a lot better and this year will provide a glimpse into that as the Jaguars look to get out of the AFC South division basement.

 

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - at Washington 

Week Two - vs. Indianapolis 

Week Three - at L.A. Chargers 

Week Four - at Philadelphia 

Week Five - vs. Houston 

Week Six - at Indianapolis 

Week Seven - vs. N.Y. Giants 

Week Eight - vs. Denver (in London, England)

Week Nine - vs. Las Vegas 

Week Ten - at Kansas City 

Week Eleven - BYE 

Week Twelve - vs. Baltimore 

Week Thirteen - at Detroit 

Week Fourteen - at Tennessee 

Week Fifteen - vs. Dallas 

Week Sixteen - at N.Y. Jets 

Week Seventeen - at Houston 

Week Eighteen - vs. Tennessee

NFL 2022 Season Preview - INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS                                                                   

2021 Record - 9-8-0

 

Head Coach - Frank Reich 

 

 

New Additions - Matt Ryan (QB), Stephon Gilmore (DB), Phillip Lindsay (RB), Rodney McLeod (DB), Yannick Ngakoue (DL), Armani Watts (DB), Dennis Kelly (OL)

 

Offensive Rank in 2021 - 16th (347 YPG); Scoring - 9th (26.5 PPG)

Defensive Rank in 2021 - 16th (343 YPG); Scoring - 9th (21.5 PPG)

Matt Ryan arrives this season for the Colts at quarterback after spending his first 14 years in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons. Ryan passed for 3,968 yards last season with 20 touchdowns and twelve interceptions. The running backs are led by Jonathan Taylor, who led the league with 1,811 yards rushing and averaged 5.5 yards per carry while scoring 18 touchdowns. He also had 40 receptions, including two more touchdowns. Michael Pittman is the main wide receiver after making 88 receptions for 1,082 yards and six touchdowns last year. Paris Campbell and rookie Alec Pierce (Cincinnati) are also in the fold and tight end Mo Alie-Cox (24, 316, four TD) as well. 

The defense is led by linebacker Darius Leonard (122 tackles and four interceptions) and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (seven QB sacks). Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue comes over from the Raiders this season and he had ten sacks last year and middle linebacker Bobby Okereke led Indy with 132 tackles and had two interceptions as well.  Cornerback Kenny Moore II picked off four passes and is joined by Stephon Gilmore (two INT with Carolina) and safeties Khari Willis and Julian Blackmon. Rodney McLeod is another DB who had three picks with the Eagles in 2021 and will provide depth.

 

Outlook for 2022 season - The Colts fell apart in the final two weeks last year and missed the playoffs and QB Carson Wentz left town for the Washington Commanders. But now Matt Ryan takes over this season and Head Coach Frank Reich will have a third different starting quarterback in as many seasons going into 2022 and would like to see the team get back to the playoffs and perhaps advance past their first game. 

The offense should have a decent mix with Ryan now aboard and All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor carrying the football. The defense was so-so a year ago, but was able to generate turnovers, which included 19 interceptions and a plus-14 turnover ratio. A bend but don't break style is what the Colts employ and they were in the top ten in scoring defense. The big question will be whether Ryan has lost something as he enters his 15th season. As long as he shows his usual form and doesn't turn the ball over, the Colts should be in business and get back to the playoffs.

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - at Houston 

Week Two - at Jacksonville 

Week Three - vs. Kansas City 

Week Four - vs. Tennessee 

Week Five - at Denver 

Week Six - vs. Jacksonville 

Week Seven - at Tennessee 

Week Eight - vs. Washington 

Week Nine - at New England 

Week Ten - at Las Vegas 

Week Eleven - vs. Philadelphia 

Week Twelve - vs. Pittsburgh 

Week Thirteen - at Dallas 

Week Fourteen - BYE 

Week Fifteen - at Minnesota 

Week Sixteen - vs. L.A. Chargers 

Week Seventeen - at N.Y. Giants 

Week Eighteen - vs. Houston

 

NFL 2022 Season Preview - HOUSTON TEXANS

HOUSTON TEXANS                                                                  

 

2021 Record - 4-13-0 

 

Head Coach - Lovie Smith 

 

 

New Additions - Marlon Mack (RB), A.J. Cann (OL), DaeSean Hamilton (WR), Steven Nelson (DB), Rasheem Green (DL), Cedric Ogbuehi (OL), Jalen Reeves-Maybin (LB), Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (DL)

 

Offensive Rank in 2021 - 32nd (278 YPG); Scoring - 30th (16.5 PPG)

Defensive Rank in 2021 - 31st (385 YPG); Scoring - 27th (26.6 PPG)

 

Davis Mills is the starting quarterback following the trade of Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns. Mills passed for 2,664 yards last year and had 16 touchdown passes and ten interceptions. Kyle Allen is looking to be the backup quarterback. The running game has former Colts back Marlon Mack in camp looking to get back in form after injuries have kept him sidelined since 2020. Rex Burkhead (427 rush yards, 3.5 YPC average and three TD) and rookie Dameon Pierce (Florida) are also available in the backfield. The wide receivers are led by Brandin Cooks (90 receptions, 1,037 yards and six TD) and also Nico Collins (33, 446, one TD), Chris Conley, Phillip Dorsett and rookie John Metchie III (Alabama). Brevin Jordan and Pharaoh Brown are the tight ends.

Defensive End Jonathan Greenard (eight QB sacks) leads the front line and Rasheem Green (6 1/2 sacks with Seattle) is at the other end spot while linebackers Christian Kirksey (93 tackles), Kamu Grugier-Hill (108 tackles) and rookie Christian Harris (Alabama) provide support. The secondary has Steven Nelson and rookie Derek Stingley, Jr. (LSU) at the corners while Eric Murray and another rookie Jalen Pitre (Baylor) are the safeties. Desmond King II (three interceptions and 93 tackles) provides depth.

 

Outlook for 2022 season - The Texans are definitely in rebuild mode as the 2022 season approaches and new Head Coach Lovie Smith knows this team will learn and grow with each game as they could be starting as many as six rookies, including three on defense, possibly two in the secondary. 

Getting past the debacle of the Deshaun Watson mess is a must and it will be up to Mills to do his part and avoid mistakes after filling in last season and doing an adequate job. The Texans have a lot of new faces on offense at the skill positions and it would be a huge benefit if the team jells quicker than expected. A good season would be better than the four wins Houston achieved last year given the turnover in personnel and potentially starting so many rookies.

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - vs. Indianapolis

Week Two - at Denver 

Week Three - at Chicago 

Week Four - vs. L.A. Chargers 

Week Five - at Jacksonville 

Week Six - BYE 

Week Seven - at Las Vegas 

Week Eight - vs. Tennessee 

Week Nine - vs. Philadelphia 

Week Ten - at N.Y. Giants 

Week Eleven - vs. Washington 

Week Twelve - at Miami 

Week Thirteen - vs. Cleveland 

Week Fourteen - at Dallas 

Week Fifteen - vs. Kansas City 

Week Sixteen - at Tennessee 

Week Seventeen - vs. Jacksonville 

Week Eighteen - at Indianapolis

 

NFL 2022 Season Preview - GREEN BAY PACKERS

GREEN BAY PACKERS                                                        

2021 Record - 13-4-0

 

Head Coach - Matt LaFleur 

 

 

New Additions - Sammy Watkins (WR), Pat O' Donnell (P), Jarran Reed (DL), Keisean Nixon (DB)

 

Offensive Rank in 2021 - 10th (366 YPG); Scoring - 10th (26.5 PPG)

Defensive Rank in 2021 - 9th (328 YPG); Scoring - 13th (21.8 PPG)

 

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers put up eye popping numbers again last season (4,115 yards with 37 touchdowns and only four interceptions) and is backed up by Jordan Love. The running backs are Aaron Jones (799 yards, 4.7 YPC average and four TD and 52 catches for 391 yards and six TD) and AJ Dillon, who gained 803 yards (4.3 YPC) and scored five touchdowns and had two more (receiving) scores along with 34 receptions. The wide receiving corps lost Davante Adams to the Raiders, so it will be Allen Lazard (40, 513, eight TD), Randall Cobb (28, 375, five TD), Sammy Watkins (27, 394, one TD with Baltimore) and rookies Christian Watson (North Dakota State) and Romeo Doubs (Nevada). The tight ends are Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis and Josiah Deguara. 

On defense, end Preston Smith (nine QB sacks) and linebackers Rashan Gary (9 1/2 sacks) and De'Vondre Campbell (146 tackles) lead the way. Green Bay also has top rookie draft pick Quay Walker (Georgia) at linebacker and veteran nose tackle Kenny Clark on hand. The secondary has safeties Darnell Savage and Adrian Amos along with corners Eric Stokes, Rasul Douglas (six interceptions) and Jaire Alexander.

Outlook for 2022 season - As long as QB Aaron Rodgers is healthy, the Packers have a chance in every game. The problem could be the big turnover of wide receivers as they lost two of their top guys to other teams in the off season. Rodgers can make the players around him better with his abilities and he will need to do that once again this season. 

Head Coach Matt LaFleur would like to see the team take the next step and get to the Super Bowl this time around. For that to happen, Rodgers has to stay on the field and the revamped receiving corps has to come through on a consistent basis. The running game has been solid with Jones and Dillon doing their thing. Defensively, Green Bay picked off 18 passes last season (plus-13 in the turnover category) and had 39 sacks plus they will add a top notch rookie linebacker to a good defense. 

This team should win another NFC North division crown and perhaps get a first round bye again. Once the playoffs roll around, can the Packers get over the hump and make it to the Super Bowl? The offense went flat last year in the post-season, so if they can stay on course and avoid the mistakes, perhaps the Packers can get there for the first time in twelve years.

 

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - at Minnesota 

Week Two - vs. Chicago 

Week Three - at Tampa Bay 

Week Four - vs. New England 

Week Five - vs. N.Y. Giants (in London, England) 

Week Six - vs. N.Y. Jets 

Week Seven - at Washington 

Week Eight - at Buffalo 

Week Nine - at Detroit 

Week Ten - vs. Dallas 

Week Eleven - vs. Tennessee 

Week Twelve - at Philadelphia 

Week Thirteen - at Chicago 

Week Fourteen - BYE 

Week Fifteen - vs. L.A. Rams 

Week Sixteen - at Miami 

Week Seventeen - vs. Minnesota 

Week Eighteen - vs. Detroit 

NFL 2022 Season Preview - DETROIT LIONS

DETROIT LIONS                                                                            

2021 Record - 3-13-1 

 

Head Coach - Dan Campbell 

 

 

New Additions - Chris Board (LB), DJ Chark (WR), Garrett Griffin (TE), Mike Hughes (DB), Jarrad Davis (LB), DeShon Elliott (DB)

 

Offensive Rank in 2021 - 22nd (323 YPG); Scoring - 25th (19.1 PPG)

Defensive Rank in 2021 - 29th (380 YPG); Scoring - 31st (27.5 PPG)

Jared Goff is the quarterback and passed for 3,245 yards last year with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Tim Boyle is the backup. The wide receivers are led by Amon-Ra St. Brown, who had 90 receptions for 912 yards and five touchdowns while DJ Chark comes over from Jacksonville this year. Josh Reynolds and rookie Jameson Williams (Alabama) are also in the mix. The tight ends are T.J. Hockenson (61, 583, four TD), Garrett Griffin and rookie James Mitchell (Virginia Tech). The running backs are D'Andre Swift (617 rush yards, 4.1 YPC average and five TD along with 62 receptions, two TD) and Jamaal Williams, who rushed for 601 yards (3.9 YPC) and scored three times. 

On defense, Charles Harris led the Lions with 7 1/2 quarterback sacks a year ago and is back at defensive end along with top rookie pick Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan) and linebacker Julian Okwara (five sacks). Defensive backs Tracy Walker III (108 tackles) and Will Harris (93 tackles) are back along with corners Jeff Okudah and Amani Oruwariye, who had six interceptions last season.  

 

Outlook for 2022 season - The Lions picked up steam late last year, winning three of their final six games and are looking to to improve yet again in the 2022 season now that QB Jared Goff has a year under his belt with the team after five seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. Head Coach Dan Campbell is an energetic coach who wants to see this team take the necessary steps to move up in the NFC North division, where the Green Bay Packers continue to dominate. 

Playing better defense (Lions only had 30 sacks and eleven interceptions last season) would be a big plus as the team finished 30th in scoring defense. That has to improve and the offense must be more efficient in the red zone after averaging 19 points per game. The team should win more than just three games this season and could move past the Chicago Bears in the division race. Anything more would be a bonus as the Lions continue to look to build a better future.

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - vs. Philadelphia 

Week Two - vs. Washington 

Week Three - at Minnesota 

Week Four - vs. Seattle 

Week Five - at New England 

Week Six - BYE

Week Seven - at Dallas 

Week Eight - vs. Miami 

Week Nine - vs. Green Bay 

Week Ten - at Chicago 

Week Eleven - at N.Y. Giants 

Week Twelve - vs. Buffalo 

Week Thirteen - vs. Jacksonville 

Week Fourteen - vs. Minnesota 

Week Fifteen - at N.Y. Jets 

Week Sixteen - at Carolina 

Week Seventeen - vs. Chicago 

Week Eighteen - at Green Bay

NFL 2022 Season Preview - DENVER BRONCOS

DENVER BRONCOS                                                                                  

 

2021 Record - 7-10-0

 

Head Coach - Nathaniel Hackett

 

 

New Additions - Russell Wilson (QB), Randy Gregory (LB), D.J. Jones (DL), K'Waun Williams (CB), Alex Singleton (LB), Billy Turner (OL)

 

Offensive Rank in 2021 - 19th (331 YPG); Scoring - 23rd (19.7 PPG) 

Defensive Rank in 2021 - 8th (326 YPG); Scoring - 3rd (18.9 PPG) 

 

Russell Wilson comes into Denver to take over as the starting quarterback after ten seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. Wilson passed for 3,113 yards in 2021 with 25 touchdowns and six interceptions and also scored two rushing touchdowns while missing time with various injuries. He will have wide receivers Jerry Jeudy (38 receptions for 467 yards) and Courtland Sutton (58, 776, two TD) along with rookie Montrell Washington (Samford), Seth Williams, KJ Hamier and Kendall Hilton. The tight ends include Albert Okwuegbunam, Eric Tomlinson and rookie Greg Dulcich (UCLA). WR Tim Patrick is out this season after suffering a knee injury. The running tandem includes Javonte Williams (903 yards, 4.4 YPC average and four TD with 43 receptions for 316 yards and three TD) and Melvin Gordon, who had 918 rushing yards (4.5 YPC) and scored eight touchdowns last season.

Dre'Mont Jones had 5 1/2 QB sacks last year and plays the end spot opposite DeShawn Williams. Randy Gregory is a linebacker who had six sacks in 2021 with Dallas and will team with Bradley Chubb and Alex Singleton (137 tackles in 2021), who comes over this season from Philadelphia. Rookie pick Nick Bonitto (Oklahoma) is another option on the edge position. The secondary has Pat Surtain II (four interceptions) at cornerback along with Ronald Darby. The safeties are Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons, who led the team with five interceptions.

 

Outlook for 2022 season - After finishing last in the rugged AFC West division a year ago, the Broncos went all in by obtaining Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks and bringing in some defensive stalwarts to help out an already solid unit. New Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett will be looking for positive results with Wilson running the offense. 

The Broncos have some weapons in the passing attack at wide receiver, but losing Tim Patrick (team leading five TD receptions last year) to a knee injury hurts, but in order to stay afloat in the division, Denver must move ahead with the players they have. The running tandem of Williams and Gordon provides a one-two punch that keeps things balanced. Wilson can still scramble when necessary, but it would be better for him to not have to do that as injuries have been catching up with him in recent years. 

As long as the defense plays steady as it usually does and the offense can score more points (the Broncos averaged under 20 points a game in 2021), then perhaps they can contend for a playoff spot. Make no mistake, the AFC in general is loaded and the AFC West could very well be the best division in the NFL this season. Time will tell what this team can do, but there is optimism in the Mile High City for the upcoming season.

 

TEAM SCHEDULE 

Week One - at Seattle 

Week Two - vs. Houston 

Week Three - vs. San Francisco 

Week Four - at Las Vegas 

Week Five - vs. Indianapolis 

Week Six - at L.A. Chargers 

Week Seven - vs. N.Y. Jets 

Week Eight - vs. Jacksonville (London, England)

Week Nine - BYE 

Week Ten - at Tennessee 

Week Eleven - vs. Las Vegas 

Week Twelve - at Carolina 

Week Thirteen - at Baltimore 

Week Fourteen - vs. Kansas City 

Week Fifteen - vs. Arizona 

Week Sixteen - at L.A. Rams 

Week Seventeen - at Kansas City 

Week Eighteen - vs. L.A. Chargers 

 

NFL 2022 Season Preview - DALLAS COWBOYS

DALLAS COWBOYS                                                                    

2021 Record - 12-5-0

 

Head Coach - Mike McCarthy 

 

New Additions - James Washington (WR), Ryan Nall (RB), Dante Fowler, Jr. (DL), Anthony Barr (LB)

 

Offensive Rank in 2021 - 1st (407 YPG); Scoring - 1st (31.2 PPG)

Defensive Rank in 2021 - 19th (351 YPG); Scoring - 7th (21.1 PPG)

Quarterback Dak Prescott is coming off a big season with 4,449 passing yards and 37 touchdowns and only ten interceptions. Ezekiel Elliott (1,002 rush yards, 4.2 YPC average and ten TD along with 47 receptions for 287 yards and two TD) and Tony Pollard (719, 5.5 YPC, two TD) are the running backs while wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is the primary target in the passing game. Lamb had 79 receptions for 1,102 yards and six touchdowns. Michael Gallup (35, 445, two TD) and rookie Jalen Tolbert (South Alabama) will be in the mix and also tight end Dalton Schultz, who had 78 receptions for 808 yards and eight touchdowns. James Washington came over from the Pittsburgh Steelers, but suffered a fractured foot in training camp and is likely out for the season.

The Cowboys defense is led up front by end DeMarcus Lawrence and Dante Fowler, Jr. (4 1/2 sacks with Atlanta) and also linebackers Micah Parsons (13 QB sacks, 84 total tackles) and Leighton Vander Esch, who are steady at their spots. Linebacker Anthony Barr comes over from the Vikings and he had three interceptions last season. The secondary features corners Trevon Diggs, who had a league leading 11 interceptions a year ago, and Anthony Brown (three interceptions) and Jourdan Lewis (three picks) along with safety Jayron Kearse, who led the Cowboys with 101 tackles last season.

 

Outlook for 2022 season - After winning the NFC East a year ago, the Cowboys were one and done in the playoffs, losing at home to the San Francisco 49ers in the wild card round. Head Coach Mike McCarthy could be on the hot seat if the team doesn't show up in late January again. Barring injuries, the Cowboys should win the division again and the fan base expects much more in the playoffs, provided they make it there. 

The offense led the league in scoring and total yardage a year ago and the defense was very opportunistic, picking off 26 passes, helping them to an NFL best plus-14 in the turnover area while getting 41 sacks. The Philadelphia Eagles made a lot of moves this off-season and should challenge Dallas in the division race. The 'Pokes did sweep the division a year ago and more of the same in 2022 would help to win again and get back to the playoffs. After that, it's always a toss up what can happen with this team.

 

TEAM SCHEDULE

Week One - vs. Tampa Bay 

Week Two - vs. Cincinnati 

Week Three - at N.Y. Giants 

Week Four - vs. Washington 

Week Five - at L.A. Rams 

Week Six - at Philadelphia 

Week Seven - vs. Philadelphia 

Week Eight - vs. Chicago 

Week Nine - BYE 

Week Ten - at Green Bay 

Week Eleven - at Minnesota 

Week Twelve - vs. N.Y. Giants 

Week Thirteen - vs. Indianapolis 

Week Fourteen - vs. Houston 

Week Fifteen - at Jacksonville 

Week Sixteen - vs. Philadelphia 

Week Seventeen - at Tennessee 

Week Eighteen - at Washington