NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

2022 NFL predictions: Projecting NFC playoff seeding in 2022 season

By Lou Scataglia

NFL 2022: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on before the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
NFL 2022: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on before the game against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 8
Next
2022 NFL, NFC Playoffs
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 26: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images /

No. 8 and 7 NFL teams in 2022 NFL season

No. 8 – Minnesota Vikings

The first team that just misses the playoffs is the Minnesota Vikings.  After firing Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman, the Vikings are turning to Kevin O’Connell to be the new head coach.

The Vikings aren’t yet done with the Kirk Cousins experience, either.  In fact, they added a handful of pieces to their defense that was quite poor last year.

Their offense has never been the issue.  Moving the ball down the field for the Vikings has come rather easy in the Cousins era, but their defense the past two seasons was less than ideal.

However, adding players like Harrison Phillips and Za’Darius Smith are surely going to help the team compete in the NFC North.  I think they comfortably finish second in their division but are probably just barely on the outside looking in.

No. 7 – Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals looked like the best team in the NFL during the first half of the season and the worst team in the league during the second half.  They’re an interesting team to study, as well.

While it looks like Kyler Murray and the team will get a deal done, what kind of Cardinals team is going to show up this year?  They’ve got adequate pieces on both sides of the ball, but are clearly an inconsistent club.

They did lose Chandler Jones and will have to endure the suspension of DeAndre Hopkins.

Their defense needs to see the rise of Zaven Collins as well.

I think Arizona is still talented enough to sneak into the playoffs, but I don’t see them doing anything more than that.

Home/NFL