The Buffalo Bills vs. the Kansas City Chiefs; is there two teams you'd rather see playing than these two? Not me. #2022DivisionalRound
Well, it's that time of year again. This time next week will be the opening week one Sunday of the 2022 NFL season, and you know what that means...
It's time for E.C. Henry's annual predictions and thoughts of the BEST sport in America: NFL football.
Unfortunately for me, my team of choice, the Seattle Seahawks looks like they're slated to be one of the worst, if not the worst, team in all of professional football in 2022. In the off-season they got rid of two of their most recognizable stars: Bobby Wagner and Russell Wilson. Personally, I though it was about time for Russell to go. I know a lot of people remember the heroics he did, but all of that came 5+ years ago. No, I'm not saying Russell Wilson is what's wrong with the Seahawks. Their problem is they let their talent base erode and didn't restock the self with good players. Yeah, they's got guys. Guys like this --
Yep, there he is the heir apparent to Russell Wilson, Gino Smith, in all of his glory; trying to fool everyone by looking in control before the snap of the ball. Unfortunately for Seahawk fans it what happens AFTER the ball gets snapped where disappointment abounds. First gripe with Gino Smith is that he has just about zero escapability. Watching him play, Gino is bound to be sack whenever anyone on the opposing team is laying chase; Russell Wilson, Gino Smith is not. But wait, it gets worse. Gino Smith does not have an elite, passing arm. He will NEVER wow you by the throws he can made. Gino Smith will never make you forget Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Aarron Rogers, or even Joe Burrow.
I predict the Seahawks will go 3-14 in the 2022 NFL season. And by the end of it, after going back-and-forth between Gino Smith and Drew Lock, prove behind a shadow of doubt that neither of them belong to be in the NFL in either starting or back-up capacity. Three wins will only happen because the Seahawks have a last place schedule, which means they got pre-slotted to play lesser competition based on the outcome of the 2021 season. I predict they will win ZERO games in their division, the NFC West. That's right the 2022 Seattle Seahawks are not in position to compete against the likes of the Arizona Cardinals, the San Fransisco 49ers, and the L.A. Rams. Sigh. Well, with my team so down; yet my love NFL football goes on, so what else is there to talk about? How about this guy--
Miles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns. I was watching the NFL Network, and on one of their promos for the top 100 in the league, Miles Garrett is on camera saying that, "if you watch the tape", he is the best player in the NFL over the 2021 season. Is that true? Haven't watched enough Cleveland Brown games to see how much of an affect Miles Garrett has on the offence that the Browns defense is playing against. But you can bet your bottom dollar that EVERYTIME I watch the Browns play now I'll be keying on Miles Garrett and the affect he has on a game. Because when you boast like that you gotta back it up. For my money the best players in the NFL are: 1) Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs), 2) Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills), 3) Aarron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers), 4) Aarron Donald (L.A. Rams), 5) Justin Tucker, KICKER for the Baltimore Ravens. Justin Tucker is just a-mazing as a field goal kicker. With the game on the line is there anyone who is nails more than that guy? I think not.
THIS is what $$ looks like in the NFL. Just Tucker to WIN the game, never bet against him.
So here's how ol' E.C. sees the 2022 season going.
AFC EAST: New York Jets 10-7, Buffalo Bills 9-8, Miami Dolphins 8-9, New England Patriots 7-10
AFC CENTRAL: Cleveland Browns 12-5, Cincinatti Bengals 10-7, Baltimore Ravens 10-7, Pittsburgh Steelers 5-12
AFC WEST: San Diego Chargers 11-6, Oakland Raiders 9-8, Kansas City Chiefs 8-9, Denver Broncos 7-10
NFC EAST: Dallas Cowboys 13-4, Washington Commanders 10-7, Philedelfia Eagles 7-10, New York Giants 4-13
NFC CENTRAL: Minnesota Vikings 12-5, Chicago Bears 8-9, Detroit Lions 6-10, Green Bay Packers 5-12
NFC WEST: Arizona Cardinals 12-5, L.A. Rams 9-8, San Fransisco 49ers 8-9, Seattle Seahawks 3-14
2023 AFC Superbowl will be the Cleveland Browns over the Minnesota Vikings: 34-20.
NFL MVP: Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys
Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills... Had a great 2021 season, but something tells me the wheels are going to fall off in 2022. For starters the Bills don't have much of a running game.
And last and least is Odell Beckham Jr. I remember a couple years ago Mr. Fancy-pants was the talk of the league with his one-handed catches. But these days I don't even know what team this guy's on. Seams like he was on the Rams team last year. But in 2022? There are lots of great wide receivers in the NFL in 2022. Looking for Seattle's own D.K. Metcaff to have a great year. Hopefully he can stay healthy and give the fans of Seattle something to cheer for in the 2022 season, because it looks like Seattle will be trailing in most -- if not all -- games they play; and that SHOULD give D.K. plenty of time to wrack up some meaningless receiving yardage stats unless Tyler Lockett beat him to that consolation prize.