Which NFL teams will find their way into the playoffs in the 2022 season after missing in 2021? We take a look at the likeliest candidates.
The 2022 NFL schedule has been officially announced. Every team now knows the stops ahead on the path to Super Bowl 57.
While some teams have a better shot than others, the parity of the NFL on an annual basis is what really keeps everyone coming back. Most of the 32 fan bases believe their team has a good shot of getting to the playoffs this time of year, with a handful of exceptions, as always.
There are a lot of teams that missed out on the playoffs in 2022 that could make their way there in 2022, however.
Which teams are the most likely to go from the outside looking in to having a ticket to the dance? Let’s take a look at the top six candidates.
New NFL playoff teams in 2022, no. 1: Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders, despite being just 7-9 and 7-10 the last two seasons, have a division title in that timeframe.
A playoff appearance in 2021 would actually be a return to the playoffs for the Commanders within the last couple of seasons, which is hard to believe given they have not even had a .500 record.
The Commanders beefed up the interior offensive line in free agency with the additions of Andrew Norwell and Trai Turner.
Their defensive front is as good as any in football, when healthy.
The receiver room is getting a massive boost from rookie Jahan Dotson, the team’s top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The NFC East had two teams — Dallas and Philadelphia — represented in the 2021 NFL playoffs and if that happens again in 2022, I think it will be Dallas and Washington.
The Commanders need new QB Carson Wentz to step up in a big way this season after watching a 98 percent shot at the playoffs last year disappear as a member of the Colts.