NFL Update Week 1, 2021-2022 Season

This is going to be an article that comes out every week before NFL action. Every week (except this week), I will write a summary of the previous week, give my take on the most important game of the week, and then our “experts” will give their picks for the next slate of games. 

Picks to Win Each Division:

NFC East – Cowboys: The NFC East was historically weak last year, as the Washington Football Team claimed the title with a record of just 7-9. This year the division is shaping up to have a much different result, as Dak Prescott is returning from the ankle injury that he suffered in week 5 of last year. Before his injury, Prescott was first in passing yards and boasted a touchdown to interception ratio of 3-1. His return will mark the start of the 4 year $160 million extension he signed in the offseason. Ezekiel Elliot, Amari Cooper, and Michael Gallup are all healthy, making the Cowboys offense an intriguing unit. Also, the addition of former Pro Bowl safety Keanu Neal on defense should help shore up the unit that was 28th in points against last year. 

NFC South – Buccaneers: The reigning Super Bowl champs have nothing to worry about coming into this season. The Drew Brees era is over in New Orleans, Julio Jones is out of Atlanta, and Sam Darnold is the starting quarterback for Carolina. The Buccaneers retained all of their pieces from their run last year and are primed for another run at the Lombardi trophy. The team was fifth in points per drive last season as well as sixth in points allowed per drive. There is no reason the Buccaneers will be anything less than excellent this year. 

NFC North – Packers: In what is shaping up to likely be Aaron Rodgers’s last ride in a Green Bay Packers uniform, he is looking to capture his 8th division title and an ever so elusive second Super Bowl ring. The good news for Packers fans is that the team has brought back the same core as last year when the team made the NFC championship game. Rodgers, Davante Adams, Aaron Jones, Za’Darius Smith, and Jaire Alexander are all locked up for this year, and their offensive line looks to be healthy as well. However the Vikings also look strong this year, and with a fully healthy defense they could potentially give the Packers a run for their money. 

NFC West – Rams: In my opinion this division is the hardest to predict. The Rams, Seahawks, and 49ers are all very formidable teams capable of winning this division. The Rams have the best chance of coming out on top however, as the addition of Matthew Stafford figures to transform the offense into one of the most unique in the league. If Sean McVay could man the second best offense in the league with Jared Goff under center, imagine what he will do with Matthew Stafford. The team finished with the number one defense last season, and with Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey returning there is no reason to believe that they will not have a top five unit again this year. 

AFC East – Bills: The AFC East is a weird division. New eras are brewing in New England and New York, while the Bills and Dolphins both seem ready to make runs deep into the playoffs. Last year the Bills made it all the way to the AFC championship, where they were knocked off by the Chiefs. The Dolphins will look to build on a year in which they surprisingly missed the playoffs with a 10-6 record. The difference between the Bills and the Dolphins is that Josh Allen is a developed product, whereas Tua Tagovailoa is not. Allen finished top three in MVP voting last year and will likely finish near the top this year. Despite going 6-3 as the starting quarterback last year, Tagovailoa left a lot to be desired and will likely not become a pro-bowl caliber quarterback until a few years down the line. 

AFC South – Titans: The AFC South looks to be the weakest division in football this year. The Colts have a great defense but no offensive firepower, the Jaguars are rebuilding, and the Texans have arguably the most inept front office of all time, which leaves the Titans. After trading for Julio Jones in the offseason, the Titans offense looks to have both a dominant passing and rushing attack. Last year Derrick Henry paced the league in both yards and touchdowns, while Ryan Tannehill and AJ Brown connected 70 times for over 1000 yards. The addition of Jones, a perennial Pro Bowler in Atlanta, will help the Titans stretch the field in the passing game. 

AFC North – Browns: Had the Ravens not been so hampered by injuries, they would be my pick to win the division. Unfortunately all three of their running backs, their second cornerback, and starting linebacker suffered season ending injuries during or shortly after the preseason. With that in mind, the Browns are set up very nicely to make a run deep into the playoffs. They have the offensive firepower to keep up with teams like the Bills, and they also have the defensive fortitude to stop teams like the Titans. 

AFC West – Chiefs: The Chiefs have Patrick Mahomes. The rest of the teams in the AFC West do not.

Week 1 Game Picks

Thursday 7:20 P.M.

Cowboys at Buccaneers

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Sunday 12 P.M.

Jaguars at Texans

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Chargers at Football Team

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Seahawks at Colts

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Jets at Panthers

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Vikings at Bengals

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Cardinals at Titans

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49ers at Lions

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Steelers at Bills

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Eagles at Falcons

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Sunday 3:25 P.M.

Browns at Chiefs

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Packers at Saints

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Broncos at Giants

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Dolphins at Patriots

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Sunday 7:20 P.M.

Bears at Rams

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Monday 7:15 P.M.

Ravens at Raiders

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