Win-Loss Predictions for Every NFL Team After 2022 Schedule Release

Let's jump into the records.Assuming Kyler Murray clears up his contract situation with the Arizona Cardinals and opens the campaign under center, he'll have a solid pass-catching group despite the loss of Christian Kirk in free agency and wideout DeAndre Hopkins' six-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy.The Cardinals traded for wide receiver Marquise Brown, Murray's former Oklahoma teammate, and drafted second-round tight end Trey McBride, who caught 90 passes for 1,121 yards and a touchdown at Colorado State in 2021. The club re-signed pass-catching tight end Zach Ertz and A.J. Green, who finished second on the team in receiving yards (848) last year.The Cardinals need James Conner to stay healthy in the backfield after the loss of Chase Edmonds in free agency, but Arizona has a bigger issue with its defense following the departure of two-time All-Pro edge-rusher Chandler Jones. If J.J. Watt's durability remains a problem (he missed 10 games last year), the Cardinals may struggle to rush the passer unless rookie third-rounder Cameron Thomas has a quick career start on the edge.The Cardinals should field a solid offense without Hopkins, but they'll miss him in big matchups. Rookie pass-catching running back James Cook and first-year wide receiver Khalil Shakir can cover the potential loss of wideout Emmanuel Sanders, who's still a free agent.If Buffalo's offense struggles out of the gate under Dorsey, its defense, which gave up the fewest points and yards in 2021, can stifle opponents. Rhule may lose his job at the end of the season.Prediction: 5-12The Chicago Bears haven't added an influx of high-end offensive talent around second-year quarterback Justin Fields.Newcomers Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown haven't moved the needle with Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers, respectively, on their previous teams. The latter still has to find his way after he missed 11 games following back surgery.The new regime traded edge-rusher Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers, and the defensive unit will miss the three-time All-Pro commanding double-teams at the line of scrimmage.If Robert Quinn and Trevis Gipson produce at a high level without Mack, the Bears defense, which features linebacker Roquan Smith, safety Eddie Jackson and cornerback Jaylon Johnson could keep the scores close.However, this defense isn't good enough to compensate for an offense with just two reliable playmakers in wideout Darnell Mooney and running back David Montgomery. After Burrow took 70 sacks between the regular season and the playoffs, the front office signed center Ted Karras, guard Alex Cappa and right tackle La'el Collins to strengthen his pass protection.Burrow lost tight end C.J. Uzomah, but the team added Hayden Hurst, who caught 56 passes for 571 yards and six touchdowns in primarily a starting role for the Atlanta Falcons two years ago. If defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's unit continues to make strides with the addition of versatile first-round safety Daxton Hill, the Bengals should remain in the Super Bowl hunt even though they'll play first-place teams and formidable division rivals.Prediction: 11-6The Cleveland Browns took a major risk with their decision to acquire quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is facing 22 civil lawsuits filed by women who have accused him of sexual assault or misconduct during massage sessions.The league could suspend Watson, though according to USA Today's Brent Schrotenboer, the Browns quarterback won't attend court proceedings during the 2022 season."The two sides have an agreement not to schedule trials on these cases from Aug. 1 through March 1, 2023, helping Watson avoid them during football season," Schrotenboer wrote. The Browns' new signal-caller may have to knock off some early rust if he is even available to play.If Watson isn't suspended, he'll have four-time Pro Bowl wideout Amari Cooper and rookie third-rounder David Bell, who racked up 1,035-plus receiving yards in two out of three terms at Purdue and 22 touchdowns from scrimmage as a collegian. They have a potential Achilles' heel on the other side of the ball, though.If Cleveland doesn't re-sign Jadeveon Clowney (11 tackles for loss, nine sacks and 32 pressures last year), edge-rusher Myles Garrett may have to fight through constant double- and triple-teams at the line of scrimmage.Prediction: 9-8The Dallas Cowboys could have a slow start to the season as quarterback Dak Prescott adjusts to an offense without wideout Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson Jr. Executive vice president Stephen Jones thinks receiver Michael Gallup may miss multiple games as he recovers from a torn ACL. The former has years of experience with new Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and logged 10 sacks under the play-caller's tutelage with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021.Ryan, Taylor and a stout defense will lead the Colts to 10 wins.Prediction: 10-7The Jacksonville Jaguars had a disastrous 2021 season under former lead skipper Urban Meyer. They also replaced versatile safety Tyrann Mathieu with Justin Reid, who's missed at least 14.3 percent of his tackles in each of the last two years.The Chiefs defense could be a major liability and unable to smooth over rough patches if the offense sorely misses Hill.Head coach Andy Reid, Mahomes and Kelce will find a way to win 10 games in a much tougher AFC West division and five 2021 first-place teams on the schedule. The new coordinator also has to patch up the secondary with the departure of lead cover man Casey Hayward.The Raiders have an offense built to win scoring shootouts, though they'll need eight other starters to rally around Crosby, Jones and Pro Bowl linebacker Denzel Perryman to field a formidable defense.Prediction: 10-7The Los Angeles Chargers made moves that will significantly improve their defense, trading for edge-rusher Khalil Mack and signing cornerback J.C. Jackson.With the addition of an All-Pro talent up front and a Pro Bowl-level ball hawk on the back end, the Chargers pass defense should rank within the top 10 (maybe top five) after finishing 12th and 16th in yards and touchdowns allowed, respectively, in 2021. If Los Angeles fields a defense that's much better than the unit that allowed the fourth-most points last year, quarterback Justin Herbert won't have to lead an offense that averages 27.9 points per game.Nevertheless, Herbert can light up the scoreboard with wideouts Keenan Allen and Mike Williams along with Austin Ekeler as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. The Chargers may have more offensive balance with the addition of rookie first-round guard Zion Johnson and first-year running back Isaiah Spiller, which is a scary thought.Prediction: 11-6Despite key offseason losses, don't expect the Los Angeles Rams to take a step back with Matthew Stafford under center.The reigning champions took some hits in free agency, losing edge-rusher Von Miller, cornerback Darious Williams and guard Austin Corbett in the starting lineup. The Rams will miss Miller on the edge, but they signed linebacker Bobby Wagner, who can shore up the middle of the field on all three downs.With a healthy Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson and rookie fifth-rounder Kyren Williams in the backfield, head coach Sean McVay can run a more balanced attack to keep opposing offenses off the field in high-scoring games in case the defense needs help.Prediction: 13-4Without a doubt, the Miami Dolphins significantly improved their offense with the addition of wideout Tyreek Hill, left tackle Terron Armstead, interior offensive lineman Connor Williams and multiple running backs, which bodes well for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in his third year. Safety Jevon Holland had an impressive 2021 rookie campaign with 10 pass breakups and two interceptions.First-time head coach Mike McDaniel should push for a postseason spot, though his inexperience may cost the club a critical game in a conference loaded with playoff-caliber teams.Prediction: 9-8If first-time head coach Kevin O'Connell isn't a complete whiff hire, the Minnesota Vikings can challenge the Packers for the NFC North title.With that said, Minnesota needs second-year left tackle Christian Darrisaw to pick up where he left off last season and rookie second-round guard Ed Ingram to become a reliable starter opposite Ezra Cleveland. At center, Garrett Bradbury is a major concern, but he's a fairly decent run-blocker.Behind a solid offensive line, quarterback Kirk Cousins should extend his streak of 4,200-plus passing yards and 33-plus touchdowns to three seasons with wideouts Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn on the perimeter. Rookie safety Lewis Cine will set the tone for the defense alongside established veteran Harrison Smith.Most importantly, a healthy pass-rushing duo featuring Za'Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter can change a defense that ranked 24th and 30th in points and yards allowed, respectively, last year. But he has a background rooted in defense and special teams, so his team may struggle to score points.Prediction: 7-10Assuming quarterback Jameis Winston fully recovers from a torn ACL, the New Orleans Saints will field a competitive squad, but they could have a rocky start with some offensive uncertainties.First, they're going to turn over the full-time play-calling duties to Pete Carmichael Jr., who's served as the team's offensive coordinator since 2009. That versatile group can improve the offense in both running and passing situations.However, Gang Green won't see much upward movement in the standings unless quarterback Zach Wilson makes a second-year jump. Cornerbacks Levi Wallace and Ahkello Witherspoon must shore up the secondary along with Cameron Sutton.The Steelers don't have a trustworthy quarterback to battle against high-end passers, and their defense could struggle against top passing attacks.Prediction: 8-9The San Francisco 49ers have two uncertainties that should lower your expectations for them next season.First, San Francisco must resolve an impasse with dynamic playmaker Deebo Samuel, who's at odds with the team. Rookie second-rounder Boye Mafe, linebacker Uchenna Nwosu and defensive lineman Shelby Harris, whom Seattle acquired in the Wilson deal, can make plays, but that isn't enough to counter high-scoring offenses.Seattle will likely have a top-five draft pick in 2023.Prediction: 4-13Tom Brady's decision to postpone retirement keeps the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Super Bowl window open for another year.The Buccaneers promoted defensive coordinator Todd Bowles to the head-coaching position after Bruce Arians decided to move into a front-office role, which gives them some continuity with an in-house hire. Even with a tough schedule, including games against all four AFC North teams, they're a surefire playoff team.Prediction: 12-5If running back Derrick Henry doesn't stay healthy next season, the Tennessee Titans will be going nowhere.The Titans drafted fellow tailback Hassan Haskins in the fourth round, but Henry is the engine of their offense. Under his direction, Tannehill didn't look close to the same player who won 2019 Comeback Player of the Year or threw for 33 touchdowns under Arthur Smith (currently the Atlanta Falcons head coach).With question marks about the offensive line, Downing and cornerback Caleb Farley's ability to stay healthy and man the boundary, the Titans may lose some scoring shootouts next season. That's not bad for a passer in a run-heavy offense.With the Commanders, Wentz will throw to Terry McLaurin, who's logged back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, along with rookie first-rounder Jahan Dotson (a standout at Penn State), versatile wideout Curtis Samuel and pass-catching tight end Logan Thomas.