The Kansas City Chiefs win their second Super Bowl in four years by edging the Eagles. It’s the final edition of the 2022 NFL Power Rankings.
It was the third-highest-scoring Super Bowl in the series’ 57-game history. Game MVP Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs rallied from a 24-14 halftime deficit to edge the Philadelphia Eagles, 38-35, in Glendale, Arizona.
The 2022 NFL season is a wrap. Over the past month and change, many clubs are already preparing for 2023. While there have been a smattering of new head coaches hired and plenty of moves in terms of offensive and defensive coordinators, there are more jobs to be had.
It’s the final edition of the 2022 NFL Power Rankings. There’s a review of this past season and for some teams, a peek of what lies ahead.
NOTE: Win-loss records include playoffs
NFL Power Rankings after Chiefs top Eagles in Super Bowl 57
Second-year pro Justin Fields opened some eyes. He set a new NFL record for rushing yards by a quarterback (1,143) in a season, but he was also sacked 55 times.
Former Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ debut as head coach saw the club give up the most points per game in the league and the fourth-most total yards per game in the NFL. The Bears finished 0-6 vs. their NFC North rivals and will enter 2023 riding a 10-game losing streak.
Seemingly, the Cardinals never recovered from that 7-0 start in 2021. Since that undefeated stretch, the team owns an 8-20 win-loss record, including a lopsided playoff loss to the Rams a year ago,
The club dropped its final seven games in 2022 and lost talented quarterback Kyle Murray to a torn ACL in Week 14. Kilff Kingsbury was dismissed after four seasons, a combined 28-38-1 overall record and only one appearance in the postseason.
Frank Reich was fired after a disappointing 3-5-1 start and owner Jim Irsay promoted team advisor Jeff Saturday to head coach. The former standout center won his first game, but the Colts proceeded to drop their last seven contests.
Quarterback Matt Ryan had a disastrous year and finished with 18 of the club’s NFL-high 34 turnovers. Indianapolis finished 1-4-1 vs. their division. As of this writing, the franchise had not hired a new sideline leader.
Lovie Smith was one-and-done after a three-win campaign. Over the past three seasons, the Texans own a morbid combined 11-39-1 win-loss mark (8 of those wins and a tie vs. AFC South rivals). The defense, especially against the run, has been especially dreadful.
Hence the hiring of former Niners’ defensive coordinator and one-time Texans’ linebacker DeMeco Ryans makes a lot of sense in terms of new head coach. There’s a lot of work to be done here.
The offseason offered plenty of promise with the hiring of former Packers’ offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and a trade that brought nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson to the Mile High City.
The former didn’t make it through the season and the Broncos finished dead last in the NFL in points per game. The new head coach is former Saints’ leader Sean Payton. His task will be getting Denver to the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
It was a short reign for the Super Bowl LVI champions. The Rams were blown out in the season’s first game, 31-10, by the visiting Bills. After a 3-3 start, the club dropped nine of its final 11 games and Sean McVay went through four different starting quarterbacks.
The Rams’ 12 losses are the most by a team one year after hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. One-time 49ers’ assistant Mike LaFleur, late of the Jets, is McVay’s new offensive coordinator.
Mike Vrabel had led the team to three straight playoff appearances, including the AFC title game in 2019, and a pair of division titles the past two years. The Titans overcame a 0-2 start, won seven of their next eight games before dropping their final 10 contests.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill battled injuries while workhorse Derrick Henry ran for 1,538 yards and 13 scores. Offensive coordinator Todd Downing was let go and just joined the Jets.
Following a very-surprising 7-4 start, the Jets dropped their final six contests and finished dead last in the AFC East for the third straight year. However, there is surely hope for the future once the team figures out its quarterback shaky situation.
Cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson were named the NFL’s Defensive and Offensive Rookies of the Year, respectively. Finally, Nathaniel Hackett is Robert Saleh’s new offensive coordinator.
The Silver and Black couldn’t build on the team’s first playoff appearance from 2021 and dropped to third place in the AFC West with just six victories. The defense remains the franchise’s biggest problem.
The Raiders had their moments on offense as running back Josh Jacobs led the NFL in rushing yards and wide receiver Davante Adams had a big first year in Las Vegas. The future will look very different as the team is moving on from Derek Carr.
So much for building on that playoff appearance in 2020, a year which saw Kevin Stefanski earn NFL Coach of the Year honors. The club was hoping to hold on until suspended quarterback Deshaun Watson was available to play but the rust was evident.
The Browns are a combined 15-19 these past two seasons. Myles Garrett finished with 16 of the club’s 34 sacks but the defense disappointed in 2022. Jim Schwartz takes over for coordinator Joe Woods
Despite the fact that the team dropped its final two games, the Falcons finished dead last in the NFC South for the second time in three years. Still, Arthur Smith’s team definitely showed improvement made and the team played very physical football.
Still, that didn’t translate into enough victories as the club finished with a losing campaign for the fifth consecutive year. Former Saints’ co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen takes over for Dean Pees.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was promoted to head coach after Sean Payton stepped down after 2022 and it proved to be a disappointing year in the Big Easy. The club tumbled to 7-10 and was swept by the rival Panthers and Buccaneers.
It was the Saints’ first losing campaign since 2016. Veteran Andy Dalton (14 starts) replaced an injured Jameis Winston. The team committed 25 turnovers and the run defense was a major disappointment.
Matt Rhule was let go after five games and a 1-4 start. One-time Cardinals’ head coach Steve Wilks led the club to a 6-6 record in its final 12 games. Enter Frank Reich, who was the franchise’s first-ever starting quarterback and was available after he was dismissed by the Colts during the season.
However, the big IF is what the Panthers will do about their starting quarterback? That’s something Reich is certainly familiar with after his stay with the Colts.
Matt Rhule was let go after five games and a 1-4 start. One-time Cardinals’ head coach Steve Wilks led the club to a 6-6 record in its final 12 games. Enter Frank Reich, who was the franchise’s first-ever starting quarterback and was available after he was dismissed by the Colts during the season.
However, the big IF is what will the Panthers will do about their starting quarterback? That’s something Reich is certainly familiar with after his stay with the Colts.
The team was coming off a playoff appearance in 2021, but the Patriots received their share of criticism for replacing Josh McDaniels with assistants Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. The former would handle play-calling duties and the offense took some steps backward.
Bill Belichick’s club stayed in the playoff chase via an opportunistic defense. The Pats could have clinched a wild card berth with a win at Buffalo in Week 18 but came up short.
During his first three seasons with the franchise, head coach Matt LaFleur won the NFC North each year and owned a 39-10 regular-season record. In 2022, the Packers finished third in their division and owned a dismal 8-9 record.
The team still had a chance to reach the playoffs if they could beat the Lions at Lambeau Field in the final regular-season game of ’22 and Aaron Rodgers and company failed to take advantage of Detroit’s shaky defense.
The end finally came for veteran quarterback Tom Brady, despite the fact that the Buccaneers won the NFC South, albeit with an 8-9 record. The team’s 10th loss came in a lopsided 31-14 setback to the Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs.
After finishing second in the league in scoring in 2021, Tampa’s offensive unit totaled 30 fewer touchdowns this season. Offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich was fired after four seasons with the franchise.
For the second consecutive year, Mike McDaniel’s rollercoaster squad finished with a 9-8 resume. Thanks to a season-ending win over the Jets and a New England loss at Buffalo, the Dolphins reached the playoffs for the first time 2016.
The team was scrappy in the wild card loss to the Bills. What does the future hold for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who dealt with his share of concussion issues? Vic Fangio is McDaniel’s new defensive coordinator.
The franchise had the look of a team rebuilding off a last-place finish in 2021 and with quarterback Russell Wilson dealt to the Denver Broncos. Kudos to head coach Pete Carroll and NFL Comeback Player of the Year Geno Smith, who enjoyed a career campaign.
The Seahawks slumped down the stretch but when they beat the Rams and the Packers lost in Week 18, the club was back in the playoffs. This will be a very busy club early in the 2023 draft.
Head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Matt Canada were under fire all season. It was especially loud after the club got off to a 2-6 start and was manhandled on numerous occasions.
Losing T.J. Watt for a stretch didn’t help and rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett suffered growing pains after he got his opportunity. The Steelers would rebound to win seven of their last nine games and allowed 17 or fewer points in their last seven contests.
Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers is sacked by Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
After finishing last in the AFC North in 2021, John Harbaugh’s team rebounded to make the playoffs. It was a quick exit as the team fell at Cincinnati in the wild card round.
For the second straight year, Lamar Jackson missed substantial time due to injury, but the defense rebounded after a shaky campaign. What does the future hold for Jackson, who could test free agency? Offensive coordinator Greg Roman is gone after six seasons with the club.
Dan Campbell’s club had a solid finish in 2021 and carried a bit of that momentum into this year, sort of. The Lions got off to a 1-6 start due mainly to their issues on defense.
Slowly but surely, that unit would improve and the Lions wound up winning eight of their last 10 contests. In fact, the club finished with the best record in the NFC North, sweeping the Bears and Packers. It was the Lions’ first winning campaign since a 9-7 finish back in 2017.
After a few disappointing seasons, the Chargers finally made their first playoff appearance since 2018. The Bolts opened up a 27-0 lead in the wild card round at Jacksonville, but Brandon Staley’s club wound up losing, 31-30.
Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi is out and Kellen Moore is in. It will be interesting to see how he can elevate Justin Herbert’s game. The real issue is on defense as the Chargers finished 28th in the league against the run.
The Purple Gang reached the postseason for the first time since 2019 and won the NFC North for the first time since ’17. First-time NFL head coach Kevin O’Connell helped Kirk Cousins put up big numbers and wide receiver Justin Jefferson was the league’s Offensive Player of the Year.
Things weren’t so rosy on the other wide of the ball and defensive coordinator Ed Donatell was let go after a disappointing season. Enter highly-regarded Brian Flores.
The franchise hadn’t been to the playoffs since 2016 and had not won a postseason game since Super Bowl XLVI. That changed this season thanks to NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll.
Including their playoff split with the Vikings and Eagles, the Giants were actually better outside better outside the tough NFC East (9-3) than they were vs. their division rivals (1-5-1). Daniel Jones came into his own and talented running back Saquon Barkley stayed healthy.
For the second consecutive year, the Cowboys finished with 12 regular-season wins, and the season ended with a playoff loss to the 49ers.
Dak Prescott struggled during the second half of the season, bitten by the turnover bug. Kellen Moore was let go and Mike McCarthy will call the plays in 2023, but the team hired Brian Schottenheimer and named him offensive coordinator. Dallas led the NFL in takeaways (33) for the second straight season.
Another dominant performance to claim the AFC East ended up fruitless in the playoffs again for Sean McDermott’s Buffalo Bills. They dispatched Miami in a wild card shootout but were brought to a snowy end in Buffalo against the Bengals in a Divisional Round clash.
Josh Allen remains a perennial MVP candidate but the offense looked outmatched still, perhaps schematically, in the loss to Cincinnati. The offseason will be about how Buffalo can fix those issues moving forward.
Talk about coming a long way in a short time? Including the comeback playoff win over the Chargers, the Jaguars were division champions and won a total of 10 games in 2022. That’s a far cry from an organization that amassed a dismal 15-50 record the previous four years and finished each season in the AFC South basement.
Doug Pederson’s club overcame a 4-8 start, winning their final five games. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence keyed a late-season surge.
Kyle Shanahan’s talented club won the NFC West after a 3-4 start, orchestrating a 10-game winning streak to close the regular season. The Niners allowed the fewest total yards and points per game in 2022 and NFL sack leader Nick Bosa was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year.
The team fell at Philadelphia in the NFC title game after effective third-stringer Brock Purdy (elbow) and journeyman quarterback Josh Johnson (concussion) went down.
Zac Taylor’s squad got off to a 0-2 start and split their first eight games. The Bengals gathered themselves and not only won their final eight outings and the AFC North, they beat the Ravens in the wild card round and pushed around the Bills in Buffalo before losing a heartbreaker in the AFC title game to the eventual Super Bowl champion Chiefs.
Improving quarterback Joe Burrow threw for 4,475 yards and 35 scores plus ran for five touchdowns.
The Birds were the last team to lose a game in the NFL in 2022, finished with the NFC’s best record and were in the Super Bowl for the first time since 2017. However, Nick Sirianni’s club couldn’t protect a 24-14 halftime lead and fell to the Chiefs, 38-35.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts really came into his own, wideout A.J. Brown was a huge addition and the defense finished with 70 sacks. A shaky run defense proved to be the Eagles undoing on Super Sunday.
The Chiefs have made three Super Bowl appearances in four years and have two Lombardi Trophies. Andy Reid’s team led the league in scoring and total offense. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes became the first player to lead the NFL in passing yards and win the Super Bowl.
Tight end Travis Kelce came up big all season and especially in the playoffs. Steve Spagnuolo’s defense had its ups and downs, but All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones was a monster.