The Prophet's Picks

One predicted divisional champion down, well two down now after this 399th show of the third offseason. I've selected or predicted the 2022 AFC West champion. Six divisions to go, now all we have to do is wait until the smoke clears on Jan. 9th, 2023 to see if I predicted correctly.

The time has come once again to discuss and predict who I feel will be the champions of the AFC East Division on or before Monday Jan. 9th, 2023. The entire divisional breakdown is in this hour of The Prophet's Picks Football podcast.

The Rams are Super Bowl Champions for the 2nd time in their franchises history but they've got to prove it all again this year as Matthew Stafford rolls into his 14th season can he stay healthy and put a performance together that'll live in the halls of Canton Ohio?

The Bengals have to repeat their performances from the 2021 season. Until they do they won't be considered a consistent threat to the AFC teams that consistently win year in and year out. This is a solid argument now though especially since Cincinnati has Joe Burrow leading this offense and the franchise.

The only weakness San Francisco has is the quarterback position correct? I would argue that point as the Debo Samuel situation may weaken both the receiver and running back rooms if he leaves. With that said I just gave the 49ers and their fans the biggest chip on their shoulders they haven't had in a long, long, time.

Kansas City is the NFL'S current dynasty, Super Bowls or not, they've been in the AFC Championship game since Jan. 2018, they've been to back to back Super Bowls winning 1 and even though Tyreek Hill was traded to my Miami Dolphins without hesitation I'd argue the Chiefs could be better now without Hill than they where with T.H. 10.

Buffalo isn't a joke and this team only got better this past offseason. I don't know if that's even possible but some way, some how the Bills got even better the question is can they translate this too the field this year?

The Buccaneers no longer have Rob Gronkowski as he announced his retirement earlier today, but still retain the services of a very productive and professional Thomas Brady. Which is all they really need honestly, this opens the door for older veterans in the TE room like Cameron Brate to exhibit a breakthrough performance on the field in 2022 with Brady tossing Brate the rock.

Packers like the Titans won in the regular season to gain a 1st round bye and number 1 seed, and just like Tennessee, Green Bay lost their 1st postseason game they apoeared in. This roster is still a championship roster, but how far can the offense go without DeVante Adams.

The Titans failed miserably in their first postseason game in January 2022 as the number 1 seed in the AFC. A lot of that was Ryan Tannehill's fault but not all of it. The roster is set amd now the question is can Tennessee build off of their successes from 2022 and learn from failures in 2022?

Arizona has a whole lot of work to do, close but not even no where near close enough with a wild card round exit this past January 2022. Can Kingsbury as a head coach bounce back woth Murray as a possible prolific franchise quarterback.

The Cowboys are a lot like the Patriots, without Darth Belichick as their head coach though. With that said a fully loaded roster with a true leader at quarterback who's a tre franchise player. The rest of the Da'boy's must step up though.

The Patriots roster will be 60% different from what it is now by September 2022. It's almost automatic who will be on the roster and who will eventually see the door by trade, contract rescinded or straight up release. The Patriots are hungry, scary, and very fearless right now.

The Raiders are loaded and won't be a proverbial under the radar team in 2022. Amazes me how Green Bay allowed D.A. to get away while signing Aaron Rodgers before hand. With a roster this talented no one can predict who will come out of the AFC West this year, no one!

The Steelers are still mourning the tragic loss of Dewayne Haskins Jr. while they prepare for the season as a team and at the quarterback position. How will the loss of Haskins Jr. manifest in the teams roster and performance both on and off the field this year?

The Philadelphia Eagles aren't far from where they desire to be. Back in the Super Bowl and if the draft night and free agency moves made works out in their behalf then Jalen Hurts can lead the flying Eagles in dethroning the Rams, Buccs, 49ers and Packers as best teams in the NFC. Then again that's just the NFC.

The Chargers made some extremely loud moves and some very quiet under the radar moves in free agency before the 2022 NFL Draft. To add to the talent already possessed, how will the Chargers number 1. Respond in an impossible AFC West and 2. Maximize their embarrassment of riches.

1st show in 3 weeks and if the Colts aren't in the playoffs this year something is seriously wrong. Just like the Buccs in 2020, just like the Rams in 2021, this year the Colts have that missing puzzle piece. Matt Ryan and now there's no excuses, not that Matty Ice ever makes excuses ever. The running back, receivers and most importantly offensive line is in place in Indianapolis, thanks a lot Des...

The 2022 Dolphins are a mirror image of the Saints. How will they perform without Brian Flores and questions at the quarterback position? Will Tua grown under new head coach Mcmichael or will he regress?

The Saints don't have Sean Peyton any longer. All of that experience, all of that knowledge, in game time management, decision making, game day preparation during the weel in now out the door. This roster is loaded but will the coaching staff get the most out of a revamped Saints team that was 1 to 2 games shy of the 2022 tournament?

The Ravens are in a tugh division man with a roster that gets better every year, can Lamar stay healthy and can the Ravens dominate their division is the question? Yes it's Algebra but NFL Algebra and it isn't as easy as you first realized. Stay tuned!

The Vikings have Kirk Cousins and an assortment of weapons on both sides if the football to get back to the top of the NFC North Division. The question is how well will they pull together with a new head coach, coaching staff and general manager, expectations aren't high for first year coach O'Donnell, but they're high for the talented players from the 2021 roster.

The biggest problem Cleveland has right now is Deshaun Watson. Their second hugest issue is Baker Mayfield. After that the team has a lot of new names with non recognizable faces to go with those names. Once the quarterback situation is cleared up the team can then press forward to try and accomplish their goal. The issue is again, when does their quarterback situation become lucid again?

About a month ago the Atlanta Falcons wanted Deshaun Watson even though Matt Ryan was still the franchise. Now the Falcons have a mid round 2022 draft pick as the future with veteran backup and failed Titans franchise quarterback Marcus Mariota. No Watson plus No Ryan with a 2nd year head coach and G.M. combination. May be another two years before the dirty birds have respect on and off the field...

Commanders will have to fight the NFC East, rest of the NFL as well as all the off the field distractions created by their owner. Seems this has been Washington's situation for the last ten seasons. Ron Rivera should be lead candidate for coach of the year since his first season os you ask me.