The 2022 NFL season has now passed its halfway point, as Week 11 is set to kick off on Thursday, Nov. 17. Although the NFL Honors is a long way away, Gavin and Zealan predict how the season will play out. 

NFC Championship:

Gavin:

San Francisco 49ers vs Philadelphia Eagles

You never really know how the playoffs will go, and the NFC is extremely odd this year. Last year’s Super Bowl champion LA Rams are sitting at a disappointing 3-8, with the Geno Smith led Seattle Seahawks at the peak of the NFC West, something nobody but the 12th man saw coming. 

But after the biggest trade deadline move this year, a different team in the West added yet another All-Pro stud to their arsenal. The San Francisco 49ers are the only team in the NFL with an All-Pro wide receiver, tight end, offensive linemen, and now running back with the addition of Christian McCaffery from the Carolina Panthers – not to mention possibly the most talented defense in the NFL. I predict the San Francisco 49ers will be the best team in the West this year, as they look more complete and dangerous than even the Seahawks. I see them making it to the NFC Championship once again this season.

In the East, three teams have at least 6 wins, being the most competitive division in the NFL. Sitting at the top are the 10-1 Philadelphia Eagles. Many will claim the Eagles haven’t played anyone good, yet everyone forgets their primetime domination of the now 9-2 Vikings, 24-7. The Vikings have only lost to the Eagles and Cowboys thus far, and the Eagles controlled the contest from start to finish. If they are able to gameplan and play big when it matters, like in Week 3, I see them making a solid playoff run. 

Zealan:

Philadelphia Eagles vs Seattle Seahawks

At the beginning of this year, I would have said Rams vs. Vikings. While the 9-2 Vikings still have a shot, I don’t think they’ll beat either of those two teams above in the playoffs, and my Los Angeles Rams have stumbled and stumbled hard. My NFC Championship predictions have been shaken up, even though it’s only Week 13 (I had the Rams there in the preseason, but the world would explode before that happens).

From the bottom to the top, the NFC East has three potential teams to go all the way to the championship game. I gotta give it to the Eagles though; 10-1, Jalen Hurts soaring, the secondary making crazy plays, an awesome receiving core, and that’s not it. Yes, I love the Cowboys; do I think we’ll make it on our way to the playoffs with a record of 8-3? Yeah, I do. But with Miles Sanders at runningback and the running/passing threat of former Alabama quarterback Hurts (paired with A.J Brown and college teammate Devonta Smith at receiver), the Eagles should be able to glide the season out as the #1 seed.

The 49ers? Seahawks? Definitely not the Rams in my opinion. The victor of the NFC West is debatable, but I see the Seahawks meeting some fellow birds in the championship game. Geno Smith still isn’t listening to the critics, leading the Hawks to a solid 6-5 record. Kenneth Walker, a Heisman runner-up with Michigan State last year, has been very reliable in the backfield for Seattle. He is currently sitting high up in the odds for Offensive Rookie of the Year. The defense isn’t quite like the Seahawks 2014 defense dubbed the “Legion of Boom,” but it’s snuffing out its opponent’s offenses.

AFC Championship:

Gavin:

Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills

To me, all signs point to a 2021 AFC championship game rematch between the two MVP frontrunner quarterbacks. However, each team has two losses on the season, as the Bills lost to the Dolphins in week 3 and the Jets in week 9 and the Chiefs fell to the Colts in week 3 and Bills in week 6. Therefore, I wouldn’t be too surprised to see a team like the Dolphins, Bengals or Ravens sneaking deep into the playoffs. With that being said, none of the three teams I just named are as complete on both sides of the ball as the Chiefs or the Bills. All in all, I think the Bills, when healthy, are the most lethal team in the NFL. It amazes me how a quarterback like Allen having a weapon like Steffon Diggs isn’t as terrifying as their defense. With the offseason addition of Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, the Bills defense looks even more critical than they already were. Without a doubt, the Bills defense is much better than the Chiefs, and I think that is what sets them beyond the Chiefs. The Bills are hungry to hoist the Lombardi this year, and I predict them to do just that.

Zealan:

Baltimore Ravens vs Buffalo Bills

This hasn’t changed at all… At the beginning of the season, I had the Bills going all the way, and matching up with Baltimore, and I still see that happening. It’s a hard conference, especially this year with surprise teams like the Jets, but I’m keeping this prediction.

With the Cincinnati Bengals reaching the Super Bowl last year and looking strong, a lot of people thought – and still think – that Joe Burrow can lead Ohio back to the football promised land (Cleveland hasn’t really done anything in recent years or all-time). I got to give it to their division rivals though, led by 2020 MVP and former Louisville QB Lamar Jackson. A modern-day Michael Vick (minus the dog-fighting), Lamar has graced us with a totally different offensive scheme. Defenses can’t just sit back and defend the pass, as he can take off at any moment and scramble for a first down (or a touchdown). He has a really good defense to back him, including the newly-acquired Roquan Smith who’s already continuing the legacy of great Ravens linebackers. The Ravens have been just fine despite runningback health issues (Dobbins, Edwards, etc.), and at least they just got a solid back in Kenyan Drake. If the team avoids injury, which tends to be their downfall, they should find themselves perched in the AFC Championship.

Super Bowl:

Gavin:

– San Francisco 49ers vs Buffalo Bills

Champion: Buffalo Bills

Zealan:

– Philadelphia Eagles vs Baltimore Ravens

Champion: Baltimore Ravens

MVP:

Gavin: 

– Jalen Hurts (Philadelphia)

Although Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is the frontrunner to win MVP this year, I personally am rooting for an upset. Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has played lights out halfway through the season and has led his team to the best record in the NFL, sitting at 8-0. The Eagles have a stellar defense, fantastic run game and weapons all over the field, but Hurts is the cherry on top. 

Jalen Hurts is the only quarterback in the NFL to throw for over 10 touchdowns with only 2 interceptions. Hurts has been insanely efficient, as he has the best passer rating in the league among quarterbacks who have started every game this season. Hurts can also do it on the ground, as he leads the league in rushing touchdowns as a quarterback with 6. Hurts’ play thus far mirrors Cam Newton in 2015, as Cam led his team to a perfect regular season record that year. He was efficient through the air, and led the league in rushing among quarterbacks. And perhaps Cam Newton’s  biggest accolade was his MVP award back in 2015. Don’t be surprised if Jalen Hurts wins MVP this year, especially if the Eagles continue to fly this season. 

Zealan:

– Tua Tagovailoa (Miami)

So maybe he missed a little with some injuries, but the former college champion with Alabama has been putting on a show. Yes, he has a pretty amazing receiving core in Tyreek Hill (my OPOY choice) and young star Jaylen Waddle, but the MVP usually goes to the one with the best stats anyway, which Tua is sure to have. He’s powered through a concussion and more, leading the Dolphins to an 8-3 record and the top of the AFC East. With a passer rating of 115.7 and a 69.7 completion rate through Week 12, Miami’s QB has been dropping dimes, and yes, the ball does reach his receivers in stride quite often. If he continues balling, I think we can see Tagovailoa at the NFL Honors at the season’s end. 

Offensive Player of the Year:

Gavin: 

– Tyreek Hill (Miami)

The Miami Dolphins gave up a first-round pick, a second-round pick, two fourth-round picks and a sixth-round pick all for one player: speed demon Tyreek Hill. The best part is that they may have won the trade. 

Hill is the most elusive and athletic player in the league. He is on pace for a record-setting 2,100 receiving yards, set to surpass Calvin Johnson’s 1,964 that he recorded in 2012. This is absolutely insane, especially considering he’s doing it in his first season with Miami. He’s also doing it with backups Teddy Bridgewater and Skyler Thompson playing for almost one-third of the year. Not to mention, partner-in-crime Jaylen Waddle is retaining a 28% target share himself. None of the other top receivers this year have a wide receiver two that takes as many targets away from them as Waddle does to Hill, yet Hill still manages to put up eye-popping stat lines week in and week out. Tyreek Hill is the OPOY frontrunner, and we’re not surprised. 

Zealan:

– Tyreek Hill (Miami)

Defensive Player of the Year:

Gavin: 

– Micah Parsons (Dallas)

Zealan: 

– Micah Parsons (Dallas)

Defensive Rookie of the Year, and now this year’s DPOY… the former Penn State Nittany Lion linebacker Micah Parsons is immediately mentioned when you talk of the best defensive players in the league. He’s also been used a lot as an edge rusher this season, which he used to be before becoming primarily a coverage linebacker. With 8 sacks, a fumble recovery for a touchdown, a ton of QB pressures, and many other crazy stats, Parsons is the face of this Cowboys defense. He’s everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Sometimes, players don’t see him coming and then BAM—the QB’s laying dead on the ground. While he may not have an interception in his pro career, I see it happening soon. Coming to a QB near you, watch out for this guy becoming one of the all-time greats. You just might see his face in Canton at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Offensive Rookie of the Year:

Gavin: 

– Kenneth Walker III (Seattle) 

Houston Texans lead back Dameon Pierce leads all rookies with 772 rushing yards, but I believe it will be Kenneth Walker III who takes the crown as OROY. Walker has stormed into the lead role after Penny’s season-ending injury with a vengeance. Through the first 5 weeks, Walker averaged a mere 4.6 touches per game. Even with Pierce getting an exponentially higher amount of volume, Walker has been more efficient, with 7 touchdowns on the year as opposed to Pierce’s 3. I expect Walker to prove he is the better back in all aspects of the game throughout the season.

Zealan:  Dameon Pierce (Houston)

Defensive Rookie of the Year:

Gavin:  

– Sauce Gardner (New York J)

Zealan:  

– Sauce Gardner (New York J) 

The rookie out of Cincinnati is tearing it up out there at cornerback, giving Jets fans reminders of the Darelle Revis days, yet he could end up being better than Revis Island. This year’s 4th overall pick, Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, has been a big part of this revamped Jets team. The squad went 4-13 last season and now already has more wins this season through week 10 with a 6-3 record. The former Bearcat has 2 interceptions, 44 total tackles (including 30 solo), and leads the league with 13 passes defended. Out of 9 games played (Jets had a bye week), he’s won Rookie of the Week three times. Through Week 8 (can’t find stats including Week 9), he led (leads) the league in fewest pass yards allowed (26), tied for forced incompletions (2), fewest first downs allowed (2), and yards per snap allowed (0.26). Oh, and 0 touchdowns allowed. Maybe just don’t throw to his side of the field.

Comeback Player of the Year:

Gavin:  

– Geno Smith (Seattle) 

Geno was written off, but he obviously didn’t write back. Prior to this season, fans and analysts alike barely saw the Russell Wilson-less Seahawks getting over four wins. Well, they’ve already done that and more, just 9 weeks into the season. And it’s no coincidence. Geno Smith is doing his job and more, making all of the right reads and passing for nearly 2,200 yards with 15 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions. Geno is playing like a top quarterback in the league and sports a passer rating of 107.2 through 9 games. He currently holds the greatest odds of winning CPOY.

Zealan:  

– Geno Smith (Seattle)

Coach of the Year:

Gavin:  

– Nick Sirianni (Philadelphia)

Zealan: 

– Kevin O’Connell (Minnesota)

It’s not too far out there to say Kyle Zimmerman wasn’t very successful in his stay with the Minnesota Vikings as head coach. Yes, he had some moments, but with no conference championship and division titles, it was obvious he wasn’t staying with SKOL Nation for too much longer. Welp, just like that, the Vikings are 9-2 under Kevin O’Connell and set to take home the NFC North title. That’s a pretty good turnaround, or at least I’d say it is, as Green Bay has dominated this division for quite some time, but now the Vikings have a chance to go deep into the playoffs and possibly the NFC Championship. They came back to beat the Super Bowl favorites Bills this last week in overtime, showing they truly can hang with the best.