2022\’s Best Storylines
September 7, 2022
By: Carlos Alvarez
Previewing Some of the Most Intriguing Storylines Heading into the 2022 Season
There is A LOT going on heading into week 1. While we could spend all day discussing the endless amount of interesting scenarios this year, here are some of the biggest storylines that we’ll be keeping close track of over the course of the season.
The Question Marks at QB
The 49ers and Dolphins in particular have especially interesting Situations at the quarterback position. Despite announcing that they were moving on from Jimmy Garoppolo and that Trey Lance is their guy going forward, Jimmy G is back on the roster and will assume a backup role until the 49ers can find a suitable trade for him. While he’s lurking around on the roster, Garoppolo could end up starting for the Niners again if Trey Lance doesn’t end up being what he’s shaped out to be.
Tua Tagovailoa also remains a major question mark down in Miami. After two so-so seasons where he hasn’t shown definitive signs of being a franchise quarterback, the Dolphins have fully given Tua the keys to the franchise and added Tyreek Hill to an offense that already had its fair share of weapons. With everything else in place, it will be on the third-year quarterback to prove he has what it takes to make this team truly competitive. If it doesn’t work out, a more than capable Teddy Bridgewater will be ready to take over to help win games in the short term and opens up a myriad of questions about Miami’s quarterback situation in the long term.
Four MVPs Don’t Matter
Since winning the Super Bowl in the 2010 season, Aaron Rodgers has cemented himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks the game has ever seen. Despite winning four MVPs in the last 11 years, we no longer care about what happens in the regular season for Rodgers and the Packers, we want to see if they can make another Super Bowl run. They’ve had 13 wins in each of the last three seasons, but no trips to the big game to show for it, and also have also had back-to-back disappointing playoff losses at home in 2020 and 21. Even though they lost Davantae Adams, we still think this team has a legit chance to come out of the NFC. It\’s just a matter of if Rodgers can elevate his team when the lights shine the brightest.
Who the Hell is Going to win the AFC West?
This very well may be the best division we have ever seen. The Broncos and Raiders made major moves acquiring Russell Wilson and Davantae Adams to bolster up their offense, the Chargers are expected to take a leap thanks to the continued ascension of Justin Herbert, and while the Chiefs\’ offense looks different without Tyreek Hill, they’re still going to be a force. If we had to choose, we’d view Kansas City as slight favorites because they’re the only team with a true championship pedigree. But our guess is as good as yours. Don’t be surprised if any of these four teams end up winning the wild west.
Is it Finally Buffalo’s Time?
Last year, there were still questions surrounding the Bills and if they were real-deal when it came to taking their place in the upper echelon of NFL teams. After their classic duel against the Chiefs in the Divisional round where a coin flip very well may have cost them a trip to the Super Bowl, all of those questions were answered. Buffalo has brought back most of their core pieces on both sides of the ball, and also signed linebacker Von Miller to help round out their defense that collapsed against Kansas City last season. With the addition of Miller on top of everything that Buffalo had going for them, this may finally be the year that Bills Mafia hoists the Lombardi trophy.
Additional Storylines
NFL.com: NFL Power Rankings, Week 1: Eagles, Lions Rising Heading into 2022 Season; Cowboys Slipping
CBS: 2022 NFL Preview: Bold Predictions, Final Record for Each Team
Photo: David Eulitt / Getty Images