Which NFL teams are the most underrated from every division heading into the 2022 season? We take a look at eight teams you shouldn’t sleep on.
Which NFL teams are getting slept on the most in the 2022 season? There are plenty of teams across the NFL deserving of the “underrated” label and we’re going to explore which ones deserve that label in each division.
Some of these candidates are obvious — teams that have just been bad in the last handful of years, rebuilding their roster and coaching staff and perhaps even overhauling the front office. Other candidates for the “underrated” label include teams that have been hiding in plain sight, maybe even making the playoffs or making it deep in the playoffs in recent years.
Being underrated doesn’t guarantee any sort of substantial success this coming season, but we could absolutely see some of these teams come out of nowhere to contend in their divisions or contend for Wild Card spots. Which NFL teams are the most underrated heading into the 2022 season? Let’s take a look at the top candidate from each division.
Most underrated NFL team from the AFC East: New England Patriots
Another NFL offseason means another offseason full of mostly doubt regarding the New England Patriots. The Patriots are annually one of the teams that I think a lot of people underestimate, and 2022 has been no different.
The Buffalo Bills are widely expected to be the favorites to come out of the NFC East. The Miami Dolphins, after two winning seasons in a row and the addition of Tyreek Hill, are expected to be major contenders in the AFC East as well. Even the New York Jets have received quite a bit of positive attention this offseason for a great draft class and free agency period.
The Patriots? What have they really done? They lost JC Jackson. They lost Josh McDaniels. Matt Patricia is apparently calling plays for the offense. Why is this team underrated?
The Patriots, not sure if anyone remembers this, made the playoffs last year. Mac Jones proved to be the perfect fit for this team at the QB position and he was unquestionably the top rookie quarterback in the league last year.
Despite the fact that people have lower expectations for the Patriots in 2022, this team is going to play smart offensively, they will run the ball effectively, they will be great on special teams, and they will be very good on defense.
Even with all of the changes in 2022, the Patriots will once again be a tough team and most people are sleeping on them.