Team Previews
Atlanta Falcons (2021/7-10/3rd) – In a change at quarterback, Matt Ryan is no longer the play caller behind center for the first time in more than a decade. Pursuing the embattled DeShaun Watson, Ryan took exception and ended up in Indy, while the Falcons are left to pick up the pieces deciding between former first-rounder Marcus Mariota and rookie draft pick Desmond Ritter out of Cincy. In a case of things going from bad to worse, leading receiver Calvin Ridley will serve a one year suspension for gambling violations, leaving super tight end Kyle Pitts as the only legitimate weapon for the Falcons. Rookie receiver Drake London will get plenty of opportunities in this decimated Falcons attack. Converted receiver Cordarelle Patterson will handle the bulk of the workload for the running backs. On defense, the outlook is not much brighter down south. Up front Anthony Rush leads the way along with Ta’Quon Graham. Adding Lorenzo Carter, Rashaan Evans and rookie Arnold Ebiketie to the linebacking corps of Deion Jones and Mykal Walker could make this the most interesting position group to watch as the Falcons slog thru the season. In the defensive backfield, CB AJ Terrell is one of the best in the league and the addition of Casey Hayward will keep the Falcons interesting to watch in 2022. Kicker Younghoe Koo, signed to a multi-year extension, should be Atlanta’s leading scorer for a team that will struggle to find the endzone.
Carolina Panthers (2021/5-12/4th) – What is the biggest question for Carolina, who starts at quarterback or can super stud running back Christian McCaffrey stay healthy for the majority of the 2022 season? This may be a make-or-break year for Panthers Head coach Matt Rhule. With a revolving door at quarterback, Rhule must decide who will lead the team between the addition of Baker Mayfield from Cleveland or incumbent Sam Darnold. Odds are Mayfield takes the first snap on opening day as the Panthers host the afore-mentioned Browns opening weekend. If McCaffrey is healthy, it makes Rhule’s play-calling much easier having a player that can go the distance from anywhere on the field. Chuba Hubbard and D’Onta Foreman add depth to a solid RB group for the Panthers. The biggest questions may be the featured receivers for Carolina. The trifecta should include DJ Moore, Robbie Anderson and Terrance Marshall, Jr. but look for Rashard Higgins to get touches throughout the year. Carolina hopes for a breakout season from Ian Thomas but also continued improvement from Tommy Tremble at the tight end spot. The Panthers defense has to continue to improve in 2022 as the offense evolves. Carolina made a huge leap defensively vaulting all the way to #2 in the league in yards allowed per game. The Panthers are led by a formidable pass rush anchored by Pro Bowl DE Brian Burns, Matt Ioannidis and Derrick Brown. At linebacker, Carolina must replace edge stud Haason Reddick (FA-Philadelphia), Shaq Thompson is battling knee issues, so his question mark is huge for the Panthers, while Damien Wilson and Cory Littleton return to lead Carolina. In the defensive backfield, Jeremy Chinn (S) and Donte Jackson (CB) will be huge in the Panthers secondary.
New Orleans Saints (2021/9-8/2nd) – No Drew Brees, no Sean Payton. For the first time since the early 2000s that statement will be uttered by Saints fans in 2022. Jameis Winston returns at quarterback to lead New Orleans and a plethora of weapons should make this Saints offense a fun group to watch all season. Alvin Kamara returns from injury as the lead back, but could have some solid help with Mark Ingram III in the wings. Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry lead a talented receiving squad that added uber-talented Chris Olave from The Ohio State University in the first round of the draft. Taysom Hill, the do-everything H-back/TE will return to serve many roles for the Saints offense. On defense, are solid in the front seven. Cam Jordan leads the way up front for a very disruptive unit along with Payton Turner and Marcus Davenport. Hell-raising linebacker Demario Davis will wreak havoc once again along with second year player Pete Warner. The Saints addressed some serious needs in the defensive backfield after losing Malcolm Jenkins to retirement and Marcus Williams to free agency. What looked to be a serious hole turned into a boon for the Saints adding Marcus Maye from the Jets and then the homecoming of former LSU standout Tyrann Mathieu to a three year deal.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2021/13-4/1st) – Was he retired, then he was retired, then he unretired. The saga of Tom Brady at the conclusion of the 2021 campaign for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers kept the football world on edge awaiting what the decision would be of the greatest quarterback of this era. First he left football, but something did not feel right. Then in an about face a month later Brady announce “I’m Back!” to the delight of Bucs fans everywhere and to the woes of the rest of the NFC. Now with new head coach Todd Bowles at the helm taking over for Bruce Arians, who it's no secret, had his ups and downs with Brady, may leave TB12 as the most experienced signal-caller in the division. At 45, Brady, who led the league in pass attempts (719), passing yards (5,316) and TDs (43) will have to have another big year out of lead receiver Mike Evans and a healthy return from injury for Chris Godwin (torn ACL) and hope to get something out of an aging Julio Jones. Leornard Fournette returns to lead the Bucs rushing attack along with newly added Giovanni Bernard and rookie Rachaad White out of ASU getting the bulk of the workload. On the defensive side of the ball, the Buccaneers are left with the stinging pain of having Brady roar back to take the lead only to have the Rams march down the field for the late game season-ending drive in the divisional round. The Bucs were the team most thrown against in the NFL in 2021, but the return of Carlton Davis III, Sean Murphy-Bunting and Antoine Winfield, Jr. should anchor a stout defense on the back end. Up front, Tampa said goodbye to long-in-the-tooth defensive ends Ndamukong Suh and Jason Pierre-Paul replacing them with young studs Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and #33 pick Logan Hall from the University of Houston. Bowle’s defense will be anchored by linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David. Tampa expects big things out of punter Jake Carmarda, using a 4th round pick to take the senior out of Georgia.
Standings Projections
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-5) | Season Win Total – 11.5 | Bet the Over
New Orleans Saints (10-6) | Season Win Total – 8.5 | Bet the Over
Carolina Panthers (8-9) | Season Win Total – 6.5 | Bet the Over
Atlanta Falcons (4-13) | Season Win Total – 4.5 | Bet the Under
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