One Bold Prediction for Each AFC Team Entering 2022

Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson Wins His 2nd MVP Award

I’ll let you decide how bold this one is, but in the circles that I’m in, Lamar Jackson has been receiving unwarranted disrespect all off-season. Jackson is more limited as a passer than some others at the position, but he also has the mobility that no one else in the league possesses. His interception numbers spiked in 2021, but this didn’t stop Jackson from leading the team to the top seed in the AFC through 11 weeks. The Ravens went on to lose every game that Jackson missed, forcing the team to finish last for the first time in the John Harbaugh era. Jackson is back to 100% and he is entering a contract season in Baltimore. The added incentive of a new contract, along with the ability to quiet all of his doubters, sets Jackson up nicely to add another NFL MVP to his mantle.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Offensive Line Ranks Top Five as a Unit in 2022

It’s no secret that the Bengals left Joe Burrow out to dry last year in terms of offensive line talent. Cincinnati ranked third in the entire NFL in sacks given up with 55. That’s not even including the quarterback hits/pressures. It wasn’t often that Burrow could comfortably stand in the pocket without the worry of getting smacked by an oncoming defender. All this to say, the team STILL was only a field goal short of winning the Super Bowl. Thankfully for Burrow, the front office did not rest on their laurels. Alex Cappa, Ted Karras, and La’el Collins were all signed via free agency this off-season, and all three will immediately start for the Bengals. Jonah Williams is a stud at left tackle and youngster Jackson Carman hopes to claim the left guard spot in training camp. This unit will allow the Bengals to be less one-dimensional by giving Joe Mixon more holes to run through. It’s different being the hunted vs being the hunter, but Burrow is equipped well to make another strong run in 2022.

Pittsburgh Steelers

TJ Watt Breaks the Single-Season Sack Record

TJ Watt posted one of the single most impressive seasons of any player in the history of the sport in 2021. His 22.5 sacks tied the all time record, set by Michael Strachan in 2001. The most impressive part? Watt missed two games. If he wasn’t forced out of action, it was all but guaranteed that Watt would have surpassed the record. Entering the 2022 season, the star pass rusher is hoping to replicate the success by joining his brother, JJ, as the only players in NFL history with multiple 20-sack seasons. Watt is still surrounded by some of the best defensive players currently in the league, and given the fact that their offense isn’t likely to be above-average, he’s going to have plenty of time spent on the field. The Steelers have their work cut out for them on the offensive side of the ball, but there are zero questions on the other side. TJ Watt is set for another monster season in Pittsburgh.

Cleveland Browns

Kareem Hunt is Traded

On the surface, this isn’t that bold. I mean, Hunt himself requested a trade this past weekend. The Cleveland Browns reportedly are not honoring the request, but even if a trade doesn’t happen during the off-season, it will happen during the season. The Browns seem disinterested in giving Hunt a new deal, and the running back has every right to want some job security, especially at a position as violent as his. Head coach Kevin Stefanski loves to establish a multi-faceted ground game, but he’s shown the ability to get production out of the likes of D’Ernest Johnson. Simply put, as talented as Hunt is, he’s not necessary for a team that features Nick Chubb atop the depth chart. I doubt the Browns will want anymore animosity in the locker room than they already have, giving further credence to this thought. New Orleans, Miami, and San Francisco are just a few teams that make sense on paper. Ultimately, this relationship is destined to end sooner rather than later. Expect the Browns to recoup some draft capital, and Hunt to land somewhere that’s willing to ink him to a new deal.