Worst to First - 2022 Season Prediction

[Battlelyon]

We see this every year, last year the Bengals went to last in their division to first in their division.

Who will be this years team(s)?

 

[rmilia1]

Most likely

Ravens
Broncos


Dark horse

Detroit ( that roster is not bad at all and they seem to be building a good culture. Not sure they can compete with GB but i think they get a WC )

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

As much as I want the Broncos to be subpar this next season so we get another high 1st outta the deal, I have to be somewhat realistic, I think Russ leads them to the playoffs…

 

[Schmoopy1000]

Only team reasonably possible.
Baltimore Ravens.

I picked None.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Only team reasonably possible.
Baltimore Ravens.

I picked None.

I took the Ravens, but no one is likely the correct answer.

 

[broncosmitty]

I’ll be surprised if any of them aside from the Ravens or Broncos makes the playoffs.


You can make fun of me for that in January. I do not see any point in looking forward to doing that. The other teams all suck.

 

[broncosmitty]

Most likely

Ravens
Broncos


Dark horse

Detroit ( that roster is not bad at all and they seem to be building a good culture. Not sure they can compete with GB but i think they get a WC )

The defense is still gonna be shit.

It was fucking awful. No way that goes to good enough to make the playoffs bad. Moving in the right direction, I hope. But no way they win more games than GB. Who could very well be the only North representative.

 

[cincygrad]

The Ravens have the best chance. It will be a tight race.

Maybe the Panthers swing a late move for Baker and he leads a revenge tour while Brady gets injured and Tampa implodes? Maybe Trevor Lawrence IS the real deal and Urban was such a jackass that we were misled?

 

[Ickey Shuffle]

Ravens had a ton of injuries / COVID. They were last place but really wasn't.

I want to say the Jets as a darkhorse, but too bad the Bills are significantly better.

 

[Ickey Shuffle]

I do see an avenue for the Broncos. But them Chargers are going to be good. Real good.

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Ravens definitely have the best chance. Broncos could be solid. Doubt they finish ahead either the Chiefs or Chargers. Raiders will not be a free win for them either.

Rest are trash/unserious. If you want to bet on the Trevor Lawrence explosion after last year, be my guest.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

If the Ravens stay healthy & tighten up their COVID protocols then they have the best chance. They have too much talent & draft too damn well to be a basement dweller.

On paper it's the Bengals' division to lose though. But the AFC in general is going to be a lot more tightly contested this year. Hard to say right now how these divisions will shake out until October or November. Heck, even September... A lot can happen in the next 2 months that can drastically shift the outlook.

 

[Clayton]

I feel like the answer to this is pretty obviously the Ravens. Broncos the only other team there with a good QB.

The other teams would need to find an answer at QB. The most likely of the bunch...ugh...Jaguars. Lawrence is the great white hype and that defense has the potential to take some leaps forward (this is also a team that somehow beat the Bills and Colts last year, too, so there is some upside if they get the coaching)

 

[Shanemansj13]

Broncos and Ravens have the realistic shots on that list. Ravens probably a better shot but I think either could also come in 2nd or 3rd in the division. Both strong divisions

 

[Cincyfan78]

Ravens - have a good QB already, and had a ton of injuries last year - that being said, who is LJ going to throw to this year, and even healthy, I think there are some real questions on that Bmore defense....

 

[Ickey Shuffle]

Ravens - have a good QB already, and had a ton of injuries last year - that being said, who is LJ going to throw to this year, and even healthy, I think there are some real questions on that Bmore defense....

Their secondary is real suspect. They have no answer for Chase still. It's gonna be fun.

 

[Southieinnc]

I took the Ravens, but no one is likely the correct answer.

It sure is a lot easier visualizing worst to 1st! than 1st to worst

 

[cincygrad]

Ravens - have a good QB already, and had a ton of injuries last year - that being said, who is LJ going to throw to this year, and even healthy, I think there are some real questions on that Bmore defense....

I think Baltimore will be very good during the regular season - Much like they were in Jackson's years before this past season (with all the injuries). I think they will continue to be limited in the postseason. It just seems to me that playoffs are turning on big passing plays and stingy defense. I don't think the Ravens have the weapons in the receiving game and their D is a question mark with the turnover on the roster and coordinator position.

 

[fastforward]

Most likely none, but the Ravens and Broncos are the 2 with a real chance.

 

[Clayton]

I think Baltimore will be very good during the regular season - Much like they were in Jackson's years before this past season (with all the injuries). I think they will continue to be limited in the postseason. It just seems to me that playoffs are turning on big passing plays and stingy defense. I don't think the Ravens have the weapons in the receiving game and their D is a question mark with the turnover on the roster and coordinator position.

Lamar Jackson does have that MVP season that kinda looms over everything else. We've seen Cam Newton and Matt Ryan throw down MVP seasons and then just be QBs the rest of their career. Jackson's offensive supporting cast imo is roughly on par with what Mahomes has. A star TE, a couple of potentially good olinemen mixed in with some okay linemen and some receivers that dont immediately look like game changers.

I don't know if Lamar can take that offense and consistently win games in the regular season in a good division, tbh. I think the Ravens defense will dictate how far they go. Its where a lot of the Ravens resources are currently. 2nd in 2018 in PPG defense. 3rd in 2019. 1st in 2020. 18th in 2021. If I'm predicting the Ravens returning, it probably involves a top 3 defense.