First off, if you have not checked out my Projected NFL Standings before the season started, please click below to skim through real quick before continuing on down. If you don’t care, then continue on past it. If any of you readers watched the NFL games from start to finish, you know how crazy it was with some teams surprising starts and others struggling out of the gate. It was so unpredictable we couldn’t tell who would even get in the playoffs outside of Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Buffalo. Well, that’s how my offseason work was when trying to project who would finish where and I couldn’t conclude it until a few days before posting. That’s what happens when you add an extra game and an extra playoff spot. It was a fun season to watch from start to finish. Honestly, it put my attention a tad more towards the NFL more than college football. Hope you all enjoyed my content thus far. I also thank everyone who took a minute to check out my postings. Even if it’s one viewer, it means a lot to me. I’m a one man show, but I’m passionate about my work and hopefully I can do more of football content and potentially other sports in the near future. Have a great day everyone!
GREEN BAY PACKERS (8-9)
FINAL STANDINGS: ELIMINATED
Green Bay was shaky from start to finish. Aaron Rodgers had little faith in the new receivers and the loss of Davante Adams to Las Vegas sums it up, and their whole season blew up after the loss to Detroit that eliminated them from the playoffs. Albeit, he did find more trust in the new guys, but it just didn’t work out in the end. Whether he still holds a grudge towards the organization or not doesn’t excuse his performance. We all love him, but some fans are kinda hoping he moves on and let Jordan Love take over. The offseason will be interesting for Green Bay once again.
KEY WINS: BUCCANEERS, PATRIOTS, COWBOYS, DOLPHINS, VIKINGS (WEEK 17)
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (14-3)
FINAL STANDINGS: OVERALL SEED
The Eagles had a great season. They won the offseason next to the Jets and threw all their chips on the table for key players like AJ Brown and James Bradberry. They ran through the schedule as the dominant team from start to finish with minor hiccups from Jalen Hurts’ shoulder injury. Otherwise, they looked like the best team in the NFC and possibly the NFL. Despite the loss to Kansas City, they still played well all four quarters. Can they run it back though?
KEY WINS: LIONS, VIKINGS, COMMANDERS (WEEK 3), JAGUARS, COWBOYS (WEEK 6), STEELERS, PACKERS, TITANS, GIANTS (2X AND DIVISIONAL ROUND), AND 49ERS (NFC TITLE)
LOS ANGELES RAMS (5-11)
FINAL STANDINGS: ELIMINATED
The Rams season went sideways after their Super Bowl victory. They started 3-3 but went downhill quickly after the bye week. Injuries plagued the roster and the organization already misses Andrew Whitworth. This led to a six-game losing streak before Baker Mayfield’s appearance (with only a two-day preparation) ended their drought. Mayfield and the team finished 2-5 down the stretch at least, but the Rams are well hungover from their Super Bowl win. It’s hard to tell if they will ever bounce back from this.
KEY WINS: NONE
TOM BRADY’S BUCCANEERS (8-9)
FINAL STANDINGS: 4TH SEED
Well, the Bucs made the playoffs, but it was anything but good. After their first two double-digit wins of the season, they haven’t dominated a game ever since. The injuries on the offensive line started the domino effect, leading to the injuries at receiver and on defense, and Leonard Fournette not being consistent which led to Rachaad White getting more time. Also, without an offensive line, Tom Brady can’t perform at a high level. Losing in a blowout to Dallas in the playoffs summed up the end of a Tom Brady’s two-decade NFL campaign after announcing his retirement via social media.
KEY WINS: COWBOYS (WEEK 1), SAINTS (2X), AND SEAHAWKS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (7-10)
FINAL STANDINGS: ELIMINATED
New Orleans had the same issue as the Bucs, except their offense was the issue and the quarterback position was the reason. Jameis Winston couldn’t stay healthy, but it didn’t matter because he also played poorly. The offensive line was also affected with injuries, including rookie Trevor Penning who got his starting opportunity. The receivers were also affected, but that benefit Chris Olave and proved he was worth a first round pick. New Orleans are a quarterback away from returning to the playoffs. Stay tuned.
KEY WINS: SEAHAWKS AND EAGLES
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (13-4)
FINAL STANDINGS: 3RD SEED
Minnesota was the most overrated team in the NFL. They did made the playoffs with their first-year coach, however. They turned their close losses in 2021 into close wins this past season (11 of them). Their only double-digit wins were against Green Bay in Week 1 and Chicago in Week 18 (what a way to “start” and “finish” the season). During their middle stretch, they either failed to hold a lead or had to battle back to win, including the improbable comeback victory against the Colts. Unfortunately, all four of their regular season losses were by double-digits. The only time they didn’t lose in by double-digits was against the Giants in the playoffs. The offense will maintain their success, but their defense must find ways to improve their overall roster.
KEY WINS: PACKERS (WEEK 1), LIONS, SAINTS, DOLPHINS, COMMANDERS, BILLS, PATRIOTS, JETS, AND GIANTS (WEEK 16)
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (13-4)
FINAL STANDINGS: 2ND SEED
I will hold my breath on this one because I have heavy criticism on the 49ers’ quarterback situation. I will explain that in a separate posting someday. Right now, let’s focus on the overview.
The 49ers seemed like the best team in the NFC and one of the best in the NFL. However, losing to Chicago, Denver, and Atlanta was questionable and inexcusable. Despite the quarterback injuries, the 49ers went on a massive winning streak to end up as the NFC’s second seed. They were a win away from that illustrious Super Bowl appearance with a quarterback roulette, but it eventually went against them after the last two available QBs went down. It’s unfortunate that they never got to compete without a healthy quarterback, but what a journey that was for San Francisco, including trading for Christian McCaffrey mid-way through.
KEY WINS: SEAHAWKS (2X AND WILD CARD), CHARGERS, SAINTS, DOLPHINS, BUCCANEERS, AND COMMANDERS, AND COWBOYS (DIVISIONAL ROUND)
NFC TEAMS THAT WERE CONSIDERED (IN ORDER)
COWBOYS – 5TH SEED
PANTHERS – ELIMINATED
CARDINALS – ELIMINATED (WE’LL MISS YOU J.J. WATT)
FALCONS – ELMINATED
BUFFALO BILLS (13-3)
FINAL STANDINGS: OVERALL SEED
Buffalo stormed out the gates like the best team in the NFL. But Miami, the Jets, and Minnesota exposed them. The Bills were questioned on their Super Bowl chances after that. Josh Allen technically carried the team again, but he finally gave some touches to Devin Singletary and rookie James Cook which nearly doubled their yardage combined over Allen’s. However, Buffalo’s defense was still injury-prone, and after Von Miller went down, the roster on that side was also vulnerable. Josh Allen’s turnovers were also an issue and the offensive line at times weren’t that great. Those issues couldn’t get them past Cincinnati, and all those issues must be addressed in the offseason.
KEY WINS: TITANS, RAVENS, STEELERS, CHIEFS, PACKERS, LIONS, PATRIOTS (2X), JETS, AND DOLPHINS (WEEK 15 AND WILD CARD)
BALTIMORE RAVENS (10-7)
FINAL STANDINGS: 6TH SEED
Baltimore had hopes as a dark horse Super Bowl contender. But the loss of Marquise Brown to Arizona, a series of injured running backs, an ongoing uproar for Lamar Jackson’s contract extension, and some close losses (including Miami and Jacksonville) have slowly, but surely hurt the Ravens. Once Lamar was injured for the rest of the season, it was a matter of time before the Ravens’ season ended. They also failed to score 20 points since his injury. Baltimore has a lot to figure out during the offseason with Jackson, and none of it is good.
KEY WINS: JETS, PATRIOTS, BENGALS (WEEK 5), BUCCANEERS, SAINTS, AND STEELERS (WEEK 14)
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (10-7)
FINAL STANDINGS: 5TH SEED
Congrats to Justin Herbert and the Chargers making the playoffs. However, it was ebb-and-flow all season. They won four of their first six games, lost four of their next six games, and then won four-straight to make the playoffs in their last five weeks. This team had potential to be great but were riddled with injuries across the board. Believe it or not, they nearly had the Chiefs on Thursday Night Football before the no-huddle play with a fatigued Gerald Everett cost them a touchdown and a win. After allowing a big comeback by Jacksonville in the wild card game, Brandon Staley will be at the top of the list of coaches that could be fired before the year 2024.
KEY WINS: DOLPHINS AND TITANS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (4-12-1)
FINAL STANDINGS: ELIMINATED
Indianapolis had the opportunity to take the AFC South without a fight, but they did anything but that. The offensive line wasn’t great, Jonathan Taylor wasn’t himself, Matt Ryan wasn’t the answer, and Shaq Leonard couldn’t play due to his injury. Despite upsetting the Chiefs and getting Jeff Saturday his debut victory over the Raiders in his only win of the season, the Colts were just not there in 2022 and might not be for the foreseeable future too.
KEY WINS: CHIEFS AND JAGUARS
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (14-3)
FINAL STANDINGS: OVERALL SEED
The Chiefs played their best football in 2022, even if it was a little shaky at times. They worked with some new skilled players on both sides and were up to the task to help the team return to the Super Bowl. Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce led the way while overcoming adversity. Now they are the Super Bowl champions and expect to contend for a good, long while.
KEY WINS: CHARGERS (2X), BUCCANEERS, 49ERS, TITANS, JAGUARS (2X), SEAHAWKS, BENGALS (AFC TITLE), AND EAGLES (SUPER BOWL).
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (6-11)
FINAL STANDINGS: ELMINATED
Las Vegas had hope for a second straight playoff appearance, but it didn’t happen. The team was inconsistent all around, but the offense didn’t meet their expectations. Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow were injured during the season, which led to Davante getting the majority of the targets. Chandler Jones didn’t really show what he has done with New England, and Maxx Crosby had to be the one and only force once again. Nine of their losses were by seven points or less, which is inexcusable with the talent they have on that roster. Vegas had a shot of making the playoffs in the second half of the season, but they lost four games in their last five weeks. Derek Carr is gone and it’s looking like a rebuild in Vegas.
KEY WINS: SEAHAWKS, CHARGERS, AND PATRIOTS
DENVER BRONCOS (5-12)
FINAL STANDINGS: ELIMINATED
Denver was a complete dumpster fire in 2022, and the offense was the reason for their pitfall. Russell Wilson failed to cook up anything until the last two weeks of the season. The running game was a major problem with Javonte Williams out for the season and Melvin Gordon III being expendable. Denver’s defense was a playoff and maybe a Super Bowl caliber squad, but Denver’s offensive inconsistency led to their frustration, including allowing a season-high 51 points to Baker Mayfield’s Rams. Coach Nathaniel Hackett seemed like a problem, but it’s alleged, and we must see if Wilson plays better under coach Sean Payton.
KEY WINS: 49ERS, JAGUARS, AND CHARGERS (WEEK 18)
AFC TEAMS THAT WERE CONSIDERED (IN ORDER)
DOLPHINS – 7TH SEED
BENGALS – 3RD SEED (AFC NORTH TITLE)
STEELERS – ELIMINATED
TITANS (TIED) – ELMINATED
JAGUARS (TIED) – 4TH SEED (AFC SOUTH TITLE)
MY FUTURE PROJECTIONS
Expect changes during the offseason.
NFC
49ERS
EAGLES
SAINTS
VIKINGS
LIONS
COMMANDERS
SEAHAWKS
AFC
CHIEFS
BILLS
JAGUARS
STEELERS
BROWNS
BRONCOS
CHARGERS
The Wolf's Cave 
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