NFL Season Preview

Ryan Chait, Editor|September 6, 2022

Since the Super Bowl ended last February, all NFL fans have eagerly awaited the 2022-2023 season. Once again The Neersyde is here to present you with this year’s season contenders and Super Bowl picks. Let’s get started!

Josh Allen looks to find an open receiver against the Titans on October 18, 2021. (BuffaLowDown)

It’s already time to get ready because the first game will be on September 8th at 8:20 pm featuring Super Bowl contenders the Buffalo Bills and the defending champions, the Los Angeles Rams. According to Action Network, the Bills have the highest odds to win the Super Bowl with favors of 6-1. Possible MVP (Most Valuable Player) contender, Josh Allen, hopes to get the Bills past the divisional round this year.

The Los Angeles Rams hope to secure their championship title for the second year in a row. Losing Odell Beckham Jr. affected the Rams, but since he is nearing the end of his career, it did not impact the team significantly. Alongside Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp had the best season of his career by getting the 2021 OPOY (Offensive Player of the Year) and Super Bowl MVP. Stafford also has Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson Jr. in the back. Joining the Rams have the three-time defensive player of the year (2017, 2018, and 2020) Aaron Donald. With Donald, they also have a strong secondary led by cornerback, Jalen Ramsey who is a ball hawk.

Davante Adams is warming up during a training camp practice this past June. (New York Post)

When talking about having huge offseasons, you cannot leave the Las Vegas Raiders out of the conversation. They traded for Davante Adams, who is considered the best wide receiver in the league. Joining Adams and Carr, they have tight end Darren Waller and their star running back Josh Jacobs. On the defense, they have a star defensive end duo, Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones. With the Raiders’ new wide receivers they have a shot of making a run in the playoffs.

Tua Tagovailoa looks to find Tyreek Hill in a team practice on May 11. (New York Post)

With a huge offseason, the Miami Dolphins are serious playoff contenders. With the acquisition of RB Chase Edmonds, RB Raheem Mostert, and WR Tyreek Hill, they have developed the fastest team in the whole NFL. With these new players, they will hopefully live up to the expectations. To protect the Dolphins’ wide receivers, quarterback, and running backs, they received LT Terron Armstead to help out the bad offensive line. third-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. To protect the dolphins wide receivers, quarterback, and running backs they received LT Terron Armstead to help out the bad offensive line. The Dolphins would not have made any of these transactions without new head coach Mike McDaniel, who was the San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator last season. The defense still consists of interception phenomenon, Xavien Howard, defensive end, Christian Wilkins, and second-year linebacker, Jaelan Phillips. The Dolphins have a new and improved team.

After talking about some serious playoff contenders, it is time for my predictions for the NFL season.

Playoff Predictions

Division Winners – AFC:

AFC East: Buffalo Bills

AFC South: Tennesse Titans

AFC North: Cincinnati Bengals

AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs

Wild Card Teams: Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders

Division Winners – NFC:

NFC East: Dallas Cowboys

NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFC North: Minnesota Vikings