Back to The Chiefs as the Best Team in Football

[West 6,713]

Early NFL Power Rankings for 2022: 1-32 poll, and where Super Bowl teams Rams and Bengals landplay

 

7:00 PM PT

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Now that Super Bowl LVI is over and the Los Angeles Rams are the champions, we can move on from an unpredictable 2021 season and look forward to 2022. And what better way to do that than with these way-too-early NFL Power Rankings?

I'm sure you are wondering how our panel views Joe Burrow and the Bengals in 2022. Or where the Tom Brady-less Tampa Bay Buccaneers will rank. And what about those nine teams who have a new coach? While we are at it, here are next season's Super Bowl odds.

The grind truly never does stop, and so NFL teams will spend the next six or so months trying to find and gather all the pieces to a competitive team for when games resume in the fall. The new league year (and free agency) starts on March 16, with the first round of the 2022 NFL draft set for April 28.

Here's how we see next season now -- from 1 to 32 -- with our NFL Nation writers describing the offseason for the teams they cover in three or fewer words.

How we rank: Our power panel -- a group of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities -- evaluated how teams stack up throughout the season.

Jump to:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LV | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH

1. Kansas City Chiefs

2021 record: 12-5

Offseason in three or fewer words: Repair the rush

The Chiefs went from 11th in sacks in their Super Bowl 2019 season to 19th in 2020 to 29th this season. They will never get the defensive consistency they desire without turning around this trend, as coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's system is based on getting pressure on the opposing quarterback. The Chiefs can build around Chris Jones, but Melvin Ingram III and Jarran Reed are prospective free agents while Frank Clark's contract might be too expensive for the Chiefs to give him another season. Some creative solutions might be in order, but improving the pass rush is a priority. -- Adam Teicher

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2. Buffalo Bills

2021 record: 11-6

Offseason in three or fewer words: Improve problem areas

There will be no dramatic changes for the Bills this offseason, with much of the roster set to return and the team hiring from within to replace offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who accepted a head-coach gig with the Giants. Instead, the focus needs to be on adding to key areas like cornerback and getting more speed at receiver. Continuing to support quarterback Josh Allen in a variety of ways is important, while getting creative with some cap moves to add to the roster. -- Alaina Getzenberg

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3. Los Angeles Rams

2021 record: 12-5

Offseason in three or fewer words: Run it back

The Rams know it's much easier said than done; look no further than the 2018 season when they came off Super Bowl LIII only to miss the playoffs in 2019. But with a core of stars scheduled to return, including quarterback Matthew Stafford, receiver Cooper Kupp, defensive lineman Aaron Donald and cornerback Jalen Ramsey, their foundation remains intact. As Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff recently said, for the Rams to reach the pinnacle of fandom in Los Angeles -- think Dodgers and Lakers -- they must have "great season after great season after great decade after great decade." That means an offseason of no setbacks and only continued growth and focus to return to the Super Bowl next season. -- Lindsey Thiry

Joe Burrow, Aaron Donald & Aaron Rodgers ESPN

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4. Green Bay Packers

2021 record: 13-4

Offseason in three or fewer words: Get Rodgers back

Their whole offseason hinges on whether Aaron Rodgers wants to return. If so, then they'll do everything possible to keep Davante Adams and as many of their key players as possible while still making it fit under the salary cap, which they're currently projected to be nearly $50 million over. It will take creative accounting -- and sacrificing future cap years -- but they can make it work for another Super Bowl run with Rodgers. If he's gone, then they could be in a rebuild and might move on from several veteran players. -- Rob Demovsky

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5. Cincinnati Bengals

2021 record: 10-7

Offseason in three or fewer words: Protect Joe Burrow

Once again, the Bengals ranked near the bottom of the league in pass block win rate. Cincinnati was 30th in 2021, a lack of quality that became apparent when the Bengals entered the postseason and Burrow was most notably sacked nine times in the divisional win over Tennessee. Cincinnati must figure out what to do at right guard and right tackle. Will Jackson Carman finally secure the starting spot that slipped out of his grasp at the beginning of the 2021 season? Will Cincinnati look to re-sign veteran Riley Reiff after a one-year deal? Whatever the answers are, the Bengals need to find the right ones. -- Ben Baby

[West 6,713]

That was a looong 2 weeks..

Glad we are back on topic.

w

[azchief21 5,278]

23 minutes ago, West said:

That was a looong 2 weeks..

True. I didn't watch a minute of football coverage. Didn't want to hear all about Burrow overtaking Mahomes. 

[qnet 1,150]

4 minutes ago, azchief21 said:

True. I didn't watch a minute of football coverage. Didn't want to hear all about Burrow overtaking Mahomes. 

He's getting a little of the same medicine Mahomes got now, about him getting impatient and not taking what the defense gives.

[KC Warpaint 3,234]

if we can improve on the defensive side the same way we put together a better OLine then we should be in good shape

[KC Warpaint 3,234]

[jetlord 10,209]

3 hours ago, KC Warpaint said:

if we can improve on the defensive side the same way we put together a better OLine then we should be in good shape

It will have to come through free agency for the most part.  Getting IOL in the draft is easier than DE and DB.

[dhitter 1,424]

To me it's not just about getting players. I'm still pissed that in the 2nd half we couldn't do shit against the Bengals (either game). A lot of that fell on play calling. How will that improve next year?

[sith13 1,746]

5 hours ago, dhitter said:

To me it's not just about getting players. I'm still pissed that in the 2nd half we couldn't do shit against the Bengals (either game). A lot of that fell on play calling. How will that improve next year?

Hopefully a new OC will challenge Reid in that sense and get us a decent offensive balance. 

[timmy_6262 77]

5 hours ago, sith13 said:

Hopefully a new OC will challenge Reid in that sense and get us a decent offensive balance. 

Yeah because that has worked in his 20+ years of coaching.  He will hire some former coach or player who will be his "yes sir" type of OC.  wash rinse repeat

Don't get me wrong I am happy we won a Super Bowl but we pissed away this year with the 2nd half collapse....we did the same in last years Super Bowl.  One would assume such a great offensive mind would be able to make changes during the game but time and time again he just keeps thinking he is never wrong. 

I would love an OC to come in and put his foot down and tell Andy "Go be the head coach and let me do my job" but that will never happen

[timmy_6262 77]

I will give Reid credit....when he is on the Chiefs are unstoppable on offense but when it doesn't go right he can really get into a rut.

[sith13 1,746]

6 minutes ago, timmy_6262 said:

Yeah because that has worked in his 20+ years of coaching.  He will hire some former coach or player who will be his "yes sir" type of OC.  wash rinse repeat

Don't get me wrong I am happy we won a Super Bowl but we pissed away this year with the 2nd half collapse....we did the same in last years Super Bowl.  One would assume such a great offensive mind would be able to make changes during the game but time and time again he just keeps thinking he is never wrong. 

I would love an OC to come in and put his foot down and tell Andy "Go be the head coach and let me do my job" but that will never happen

I don't think the new guy has to put his foot down and send Reid to just the HC role, nor believe that's even an option but I believe taking some ownership of the process could go a long way.

A downside of being a players' coach is that you can't always be as stern as you like, such as the last play of the first half against the Bengals. Another figure in the mix could help balance that.

[artsy 1,137]

2 hours ago, sith13 said:

I don't think the new guy has to put his foot down and send Reid to just the HC role, nor believe that's even an option but I believe taking some ownership of the process could go a long way.

A downside of being a players' coach is that you can't always be as stern as you like, such as the last play of the first half against the Bengals. Another figure in the mix could help balance that.

Im exhausted with Reid already. Like Timmy said, rinse and repeat. I'd be willing to bet my kids piggy bank, that they will spend the entire offeseason trying to figure out how to pass the ball against prevent def/8 man coverages. 

It doesn't matter who the OC is IMO. IT WILL BE DONE HIS WAY. 

[BroncoStud 3,253]

On 2/14/2022 at 9:45 AM, West said:

That was a looong 2 weeks..

Glad we are back on topic.

w

Yeah, you guys can pick up right where you left off....

[reesebobby 5,661]

Everyone does understand that we were an 2 overtime losses from 4 consecutive Super Bowls, right?

[qnet 1,150]

8 minutes ago, reesebobby said:

Everyone does understand that we were an 2 overtime losses from 4 consecutive Super Bowls, right?

The Chiefs are a tough team.

[xen 1,010,220]

1 hour ago, reesebobby said:

Everyone does understand that we were an 2 overtime losses from 4 consecutive Super Bowls, right?

No.  No they do not.

[timmy_6262 77]

17 hours ago, reesebobby said:

Everyone does understand that we were an 2 overtime losses from 4 consecutive Super Bowls, right?

I give the NE game a pass just from inexperience from 15 being his first year starting.  But the Bengals game from the 1st half the 2nd was embarrassing bad.  If it was an isolated incident then that stuff happens and I accept it but its not the first time its happened. 

2014 Wild Card up 31-10 at half lost 45-44

13 points second half

2018 Wild Card up 21-3 at half lost 22-21

0 points second half

2022 AFC Championship up 21-10 at half lost 27-24

3 points second half

 

These are just the playoff games but how many games did we get up big in the first half then "coast" in the 2nd sometimes almost losing the game? 

The thing I commented on was about how Andy will most likely just hire another old coach or player who will be "his guy".  He needs an OC who will challenge him when something isn't going right.  A guy who can stand there and tell Andy he needs to try something else because what he is trying isn't working. Honestly why do we even have an OC?

 

I want to make this very clear.....I like Andy as a head coach.  I think he strikes a perfect balance of being a players coach without the players running the show.  But he needs to either have an OC who actually calls plays or not have one at all and just admit that he calls every play. 

[qnet 1,150]

3 hours ago, timmy_6262 said:

I give the NE game a pass just from inexperience from 15 being his first year starting.  But the Bengals game from the 1st half the 2nd was embarrassing bad.  If it was an isolated incident then that stuff happens and I accept it but its not the first time its happened. 

2014 Wild Card up 31-10 at half lost 45-44

13 points second half

2018 Wild Card up 21-3 at half lost 22-21

0 points second half

2022 AFC Championship up 21-10 at half lost 27-24

3 points second half

 

These are just the playoff games but how many games did we get up big in the first half then "coast" in the 2nd sometimes almost losing the game? 

The thing I commented on was about how Andy will most likely just hire another old coach or player who will be "his guy".  He needs an OC who will challenge him when something isn't going right.  A guy who can stand there and tell Andy he needs to try something else because what he is trying isn't working. Honestly why do we even have an OC?

 

I want to make this very clear.....I like Andy as a head coach.  I think he strikes a perfect balance of being a players coach without the players running the show.  But he needs to either have an OC who actually calls plays or not have one at all and just admit that he calls every play. 

You've made some good points. Those 2nd half collapses have now happened with Smith and Mahomes so it makes you think it has something to do with the way Reid is calling the game. I also like Andy Reid, but don't know what's going on. 

On a positive note,  The Chiefs have had some pretty fantastic 2nd halfs under Reid also.  The 2017 Alex Smith-led pounding of the Pats, Mahomes in playoffs against the Texans, Mahomes 2nd half explosion against the Raiders in 2019.

I agree about the OC. 

[reesebobby 5,661]

4 hours ago, timmy_6262 said:

I give the NE game a pass just from inexperience from 15 being his first year starting.  But the Bengals game from the 1st half the 2nd was embarrassing bad.  If it was an isolated incident then that stuff happens and I accept it but its not the first time its happened. 

2014 Wild Card up 31-10 at half lost 45-44

13 points second half

2018 Wild Card up 21-3 at half lost 22-21

0 points second half

2022 AFC Championship up 21-10 at half lost 27-24

3 points second half

 

These are just the playoff games but how many games did we get up big in the first half then "coast" in the 2nd sometimes almost losing the game? 

The thing I commented on was about how Andy will most likely just hire another old coach or player who will be "his guy".  He needs an OC who will challenge him when something isn't going right.  A guy who can stand there and tell Andy he needs to try something else because what he is trying isn't working. Honestly why do we even have an OC?

 

I want to make this very clear.....I like Andy as a head coach.  I think he strikes a perfect balance of being a players coach without the players running the show.  But he needs to either have an OC who actually calls plays or not have one at all and just admit that he calls every play. 

Why do we need him to admit who calls the plays?  Collectively they have overseen one of the most prolific offenses in NFL history and collectively they have given us team success that has been unfathomable previously, both regular and post season.  

You discuss 3 games where we had bad 2nd halves and gave up leads. Two of those games are Alex Smith games.  And I'm not sure you can blame the offense when they are up by 13 at the half and score an additional 13 points to get to 45.  I think anytime you take Alex Smith on the road for a playoff game and score 45 you need to look elsewhere than play calling.

The other 2 sucked.  But I can think of a lot more playoff games where we had huge 2nd halves offensively.  Buffalo comes to mind--twice.  Titans.  Texans.  49ers.  Patriots.  

The question for me is.  Of anyone that is available as an offensive coordinator, who on this planet do you think would have done a better job offensively than we have had?I'm not saying there is not an option, but what do you really think we could do that is better as OC?

[oldtimer 8,686]

16 minutes ago, reesebobby said:

 

The question for me is.  Of anyone that is available as an offensive coordinator, who on this planet do you think would have done a better job offensively than we have had?I'm not saying there is not an option, but what do you really think we could do that is better as OC?

exactly.. there are always those who whine about this or that but offer no solutions.

[azchief21 5,278]

On 2/15/2022 at 1:51 PM, BroncoStud said:

Yeah, you guys can pick up right where you left off....

Fake photo. Here's the original.

 

[jetlord 10,209]

On 2/14/2022 at 7:57 PM, dhitter said:

To me it's not just about getting players. I'm still pissed that in the 2nd half we couldn't do shit against the Bengals (either game). A lot of that fell on play calling. How will that improve next year?

Maybe EB is gone, not that we know if that would make a difference.  Maybe Reid insists that Mahomes really runs on some RPO calls.  Maybe Pat figures out that he can't win the game on one play when the defense drops eight.