One Bold Prediction for Each AFC Team Entering 2022

Buffalo Bills

Gabriel Davis Finishes with 15 Touchdown Receptions

I know that number sounds like a lot, but allow me to explain. Only four wide receivers have reached this mark in the past five seasons:

-Cooper Kupp (16 in 2021)

-Tyreek Hill (15 in 2020)

-Davante Adams (18 in 2020)

-Antonio Brown (15 in 2018)

Plain and simple, those are the best of the best in that span. The reason I believe so heavily in Gabriel Davis is two-fold. First off, the opportunity couldn’t be more favorable for Davis. He’s paired with one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and has Stefon Diggs on the opposite side taking most of the attention. Allen has thrown 73 touchdowns over the past two seasons, and will surely zero in on his big target, Gabriel Davis, when the team enters the red zone. Davis already has 13 career regular touchdowns in less than a season worth of starts. The last time we saw him on the gridiron, he set an NFL record with four touchdowns against Kansas City. Another superstar will be born in Buffalo.

Miami Dolphins

Tua Tagovailoa Leads the Team to Their First Playoff Berth Since 2016

Tua Tagovailoa entered the 2020 NFL Draft hampered by a hip injury that was once considered to be career-threatening. Ultimately, the Dolphins trusted their process and took Tua at No. 5 overall. The former Alabama quarterback continued to battle injuries throughout the first couple seasons in the league, but all signs are pointing up heading into 2022. With new head coach, Mike McDaniel, Tagovailoa will be running a variation of the Kyle Shanahan system in Miami. We’ve witnessed how far Jimmy Garoppolo could take a team with that scheme, there’s no reason to believe Tagovailoa can’t do the same.

New England Patriots

Tyquan Thornton Scores Multiple 50-Yard Touchdowns

It was a surprise to many when Tyquan Thornton heard his name called at No. 50 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. While Thornton’s speed was among the best individual traits in the draft class, he was very much viewed as a developmental project by most. Instead, Bill Belichick took his guy and did not risk allowing someone else to swoop in and get the speedster from Baylor. Early reports say that Thornton is doing well at Patriots’ training camp. The total numbers at season’s end may not be eye-popping, but expect to see Thornton make a house call on multiple 50-yard touchdowns. The Patriots need playmaking on the outside, so Thornton is going to have every opportunity to earn his spot in the starting rotation.

New York Jets

Sauce Gardner Doesn’t Allow a Single Touchdown as a Rookie

This might be a lofty expectation to set on a rookie cornerback, but I’m sure Sauce Gardner welcomes it. As you may have heard, Gardner did not allow a touchdown during his time at Cincinnati. The talent in the NFL is leaps and bounds ahead of the talent he faced in college, but as he proved in a game versus Alabama, Gardner’s talent will translate. Look for teams to test him early on in the season, with Gardner rising to the challenge and forcing offensive coordinators to look the other way. Sauce Island is officially open.