NFL Power Rankings Based on Super Bowl Odds Ahead of Week 1 (Let the Games Begin!)
By Peter Dewey
We. Are. Back!
The NFL season begins on Thursday with the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams taking on the Buffalo Bills and MVP favorite Josh Allen.
It really doesn't get much better than that.
We've gotten to this point without any major dominoes going down injury wise, which should make this an extremely competitive season, especially in the loaded AFC.
All offseason, we've been breaking down these teams in our NFL Power Rankings, but after this edition, we finally will have game results to go off of! What a time to be alive!
So, for the final time before Week 1, let's break down where each team stands heading into the 2022 NFL season:
1. 1. Buffalo Bills (+600)
Is this the Bills' year? Their Week 1 matchup is tough, but Josh Allen and company have been pegged as the team to beat entering the 2022 season.
2. Los Angeles Rams (+1100)
Despite being further down the odds list, the defending champs get to stay at the No. 2 spot, but they have Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers breathing down their neck in the NFC.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+750)
Tom Brady didn't retire, but does he have a foot out the door? The Bucs roster is fantastic, so as long as Brady is still himself, they should be a contender.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (+1000)
The AFC West is loaded, but Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have shown year in and year out they can make a postseason run.
5. Green Bay Packers (+1200)
How will the Packers replace Davante Adams? As long as Aaron Rodgers is at quarterback, Green Bay will figure it out.
6. Los Angeles Chargers (+1400)
The Chargers are a trendy pick in 2022, but they're going to need to be better on defense than they were last year. Khalil Mack and J.C. Jackson should help.
7. Baltimore Ravens (+2000)
The Ravens and Lamar Jackson are a perfect bounce-back candidate in 2022 after injuries crushed them last season.
8. Dallas Cowboys (+2000)
Losing Tyron Smith is tough, but it appears Michael Gallup will be back before Week 4. The Eagles are a public darling in 2022, but it's hard to count out this Dallas offense just yet.
9. Denver Broncos (+1700)
The Broncos and Russell Wilson agreed to a five-year extension that keeps him in Denver for the next seven seasons. Does Denver win a Super Bowl in that window?
10. Cincinnati Bengals (+2200)
There is value on Joe Burrow and the Bengals to prove that last year wasn't a fluke and get back to the Super Bowl this season.
11. San Francisco 49ers (+1600)
Based on their odds, the 49ers are a little low in my rankings, but Trey Lance can turn that all around with a strong start to the season.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (+2000)
Can the Eagles win the NFC East after making several moves this offseason? Oddsmakers are buying the idea...
13. Indianapolis Colts (+2200)
Jonathan Taylor and the Colts have a major upgrade at quarterback with Matt Ryan in town.
14. Arizona Cardinals (+3000)
Kyler Murray won't have DeAndre Hopkins for six games, but he got paid in a big way this offseason to keep Arizona in the playoff picture.
15. Las Vegas Raiders (+4000)
After making the playoffs in 2021, the Raiders are slept on a bit, especially for a team that added Davante Adams in the offseason.
16. New England Patriots (+4000)
Yes, the Patriots offense has gotten bad reviews all offseason. However, Bill Belichick is still the team's head coach. That's enough for me.
17. Miami Dolphins (+4000)
It's a make or break season for Tua Tagovailoa, but the Dolphins are in a good position to grab a playoff spot in the AFC if their offense lives up to expectations.
18. Minnesota Vikings (+4000)
The Vikings should be a high-flying offense in 2022, and the return of Danielle Hunter on defense could help them compete for the NFC North title.
19. New Orleans Saints (+4000)
The Saints could take advantage of a weaker NFC in 2022 and make the postseason after just missing the field in 2021 despite several quarterback changes after Jameis Winston tore his ACL.
20. Cleveland Browns (+3000)
Deshaun Watson's suspension knocks the Browns down to the bottom half of these rankings, and it may get worse if they can't tread water until he can return.
21. Tennessee Titans (+3500)
From No. 1 seed to out of the playoffs? That may be the Titans' fate in a tough AFC.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers (+7000)
Mike Tomlin will have this team in the playoff conversation, or at least around .500, but anything else seems like a stretch with Mitch Trubisky at quarterback.
23. Washington Commanders (+8500)
No Chase Young to start the season? Not a great sign for a defense that struggled in 2021.
24. Carolina Panthers (+10000)
Baker Mayfield is looking to resurrect his career, and potentially save Matt Rhule's, in the 2022 season.
25. New York Giants (+8500)
Can Brian Daboll save Daniel Jones? I'm not too confident, especially since this Giants team hasn't won more than seven games since 2016.
26. Jacksonville Jaguars (+12000)
If Trevor Lawrence is the real deal, we're going to see him make a leap in 2022.
27. Chicago Bears (+12000)
Justin Fields had a terrific preseason, but I'm concerned about the cast around him holding up in 2022.
28. Seattle Seahawks (+15000)
Things you don't want in 2022: Geno Smith as your starting quarterback. Well, that's unless you're the Seahawks.
29. New York Jets (+15000)
With Zach Wilson's status up in the air, the Jets may not improve much on last year's record despite improving the roster this offseason.
30. Detroit Lions (+10000)
The public is all in on Dan Campbell's Lions. Yes, they covered a ton last season. But will it actually translate to wins in 2022? I'm skeptical to say the least.
31. Atlanta Falcons (+25000)
Maybe Marcus Mariota has something left in the tank, but more than likely the Falcons will be picking in the top five in the 2023 NFL Draft.
32. Houston Texans (+30000)
Houston may have something in running back Dameon Pierce and second-year quarterback Davis Mills, but the rest of the team is highly questionable.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.