The Bengals nearly surprised everyone last year. But which NFL teams should you be keeping an eye on in 2022.
Read on to find out which football teams you should be watching
Could one of these five surprise everybody and win the Super Bowl next year?
The LA Rams spent big on the short term last season and ended up winning the Super Bowl. But the Cincinnati Bengals surprised everyone by reaching the championship game and almost ruined the party.
The 2022 NFL season is still a few months away, and there are bound to be some interesting developments over the summer. But, the NFL betting markets have already swung into action – and many fans will be looking for another surprise team like Cincinnati to back. So, who are the teams we should all be keeping an eye on this year?
Miami Dolphins
Even Dolphins fans will concede that there are questions about how far Tua Tagovailoa can take the team – and 2021 was a particularly poor season for a second-year QB. But there are a few signs of positivity in South Florida, and Miami might be a team to surprise the league in 2022.
There will be understandable uncertainty about the new head coach Mike McDaniel. He is largely untested in the big seat but could bring a new dynamic to the Miami offense. The pre-draft trade for Tyreek Hill will definitely help with that too. The AFC East is tough this year – but the Dolphins could finish second.
New Orleans Saints
After 16 years, the Saints will line up on the opening week of the season without Sean Peyton as head coach. He will undoubtedly be missed, but there should also be a sense of optimism in New Orleans. This is the beginning of a new era, and there is a lot to be hopeful about.
QB Jameis Winston is not everyone’s idea of a leader, but he has cut down the number of interceptions thrown and could come back even stronger after missing so many games through injury. He will have more choices to throw to this season, meaning the Saints could well if they stay healthy.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles sneaked into the playoffs last year before crashing out to the Bucs. But that may have just been a sign of things to come for a Philly team competing in one of the weakest divisions in the league. Jalen Hurts will now have to step up to prove himself as one of the best QBs in the NFL.
He will have a little more help this season after the Eagles traded for A.J. Brown. Teaming him up with DeVonta Smith gives Hurts some excellent targets and should pay dividends. The draft was also a success for Philadelphia, bringing in some former Georgia teammates to bolster the defense.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts really screwed things up at the end of the 2021 regular season. Going into the last two games with a record of 9-6, the division title was out of reach because of a very good Titans campaign, but the playoffs looked very achievable. Losses to the Raiders and then, inexplicably, to the Jags ended the year early.
Out goes Carson Wentz, who never really reached his potential, and in comes veteran QB Matt Ryan. He has just spent a couple of years drifting with the Falcons and will now be looking to inspire Indy onto greater things. The Colts have a very good rushing attack – and have strengthened the defense too. 2022 could be a good year.
Baltimore Ravens
After a few years of winning the AFC North almost by default, the Ravens suddenly find themselves in one of the toughest divisions in the league. Last year was a good example of that, as Baltimore finished bottom of the pile and saw the Bengals go all the way to the Super Bowl.
If anything, the division is even tougher this year, but Lamar Jackson should be back to his very best. The draft was good for the Ravens, though – and there have been some very good roster additions, such as Marcus Williams and Morgan Moses. Baltimore is almost a forgotten contender and should do well in 2022.
Featured Image: Vegas Betting
