This time of the year, there’s not a ton to look forward to. All the fun holidays have passed, and most of us living in Minnesota are dealing with extreme cold. But in the NFL, this is the time of year when things really heat up. Where players become legends, and there’s bound to be a major collapse within it all. With our favorite team missing for the 2nd straight year and looking for a new GM and Head Coach, you might be in need of a new team to root for these next couple weeks. Or maybe you need a betting favorite? Here’s our bandwagon guide to the 2022 NFL Playoffs!
Cincinnati Bengals
Starting the list with a team that I didn’t think would make it this far! The Bengals have been a healthy surprise for the NFL season, and they have a semi-favorable matchup this weekend at Tennessee. Joe Burrow has been as cool as the other side of the pillow, and every day the Ja’Marr Chase pick over a O-lineman has the Bengals sitting pretty. The team has gained a youthful burst of energy, and it’s paid off handsomely. Just ask the baby-faced head coach.
Tennessee Titans
The AFC’s #1 seed has never seen such disrespect. Many experts are overlooking this Titans team like the honey roasted peanuts in the snack aisle: not the favorite, but will get the job done. This team has sort of sleepwalked their way to the top seed after losing Derrick Henry on Halloween. The King will hopefully make his return to the lineup this weekend in order to set the table for this talented offense. Don’t forget: Henry was on an MVP-like tear this season before his injury, and he finished 9th in rushing despite not taking a snap since Week 8. Scary hours in Nashville?
San Francisco 49ers
This fanbase invades every road stadium like a massive family Thanksgiving. The 49ers faithful made SoFi and AT&T Stadium look like Levi’s South. The way this team is running the ball and playing stingy defense are the key ingredients for a Super Bowl run. They have all the momentum right now, and that’s gonna make for a huge showdown in Lambeau. And Deebo Samuel is the shit, especially for this awesome interview.
Green Bay Packers
Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles is thriving right now, and you can’t blame them. After they pounded the piss out of the Cardinals, they get to meet the GOAT and defending champs. Matthew Stafford had a great game, and that’s why they brought him in. After all the hell that Lions franchise dragged him through, he finally gets his time to shine. The real X-Factor? OBJ. He’s returned to his old form, and with Kupp on the other side that’s a major problem. I’m rooting for the Rams, only for Stafford and OBJ.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The champs are looking good after they killed an inexperienced Eagles squad. And why wouldn’t they be? They’ve got fucking Tom Brady. But they injuries around him are starting to scare me. No Chris Godwin, and he just lost his star tackle Tristian Wirfs. AB ain’t walking back through that door, so now he has to rely on guys who haven’t had a ton of playing time. Former Gopher Tyler Johnson is one of them, but he’s played fairly well when given the chance. This defense is still next level, you are not going to run on them. So this matchup against LA is gonna be very intriguing. Let’s just hope Bruce Arians doesn’t get slap happy this game.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills have been super hot and cold this season, but they may have found their groove. They got hot in single degree weather, and beat the shit out the Patriots to advance. I don’t hate him like everyone else might, but fuck it was nice to see Belichick lose like that. Now, it’s a date at Arrowhead to face the Chiefs and Pat Mahomes. This is turning into a small rivalry, this meeting being the 4th in 2 seasons. Allen-Mahomes might be the new version of Manning-Brady, and this will for sure be the game of the weekend. Hopefully no “foreign” objects make their way on the field like last week in Buffalo.
Kansas City Chiefs
Professional Driver. Lover of all things sports. I once cut meat for Paul Allen and Mark Rosen. I talk on a podcast about men hugging each other aggressively.