NFL Predictions 2022: Projecting Teams with Most-Improved Win Totals

The football season is filled with surprises. NFL games can almost always go either way, with any of the league's 32 teams capable of pulling out a win on a given Sunday (or Monday, Thursday or Saturday).

Because of that, preseason predictions can be way off. Things might go a completely different route from what analysts and experts forecasted at the start of the season. But it's fun to guess what may happen, so let's do it anyway.

The road to the 2022 NFL season has begun with training camps now fully open for three teams (the Las Vegas Raiders, Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams). The other 29 teams have their mandatory report dates for camp set for Tuesday.

It's been an eventful offseason, and the landscape of the league has changed. So some teams that struggled last year could fare much better in 2022. A one-year turnaround is possible to achieve and has been done before.

Here's a look at several teams that could increase their win totals by at least a few victories in the upcoming season.

Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Gail Burton

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson takes part in drills at the NFL football team's practice facility, Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

The Ravens did not play up to their usual standard in 2021, but a big reason for that was the large number of key players who dealt with injuries throughout the season.

Baltimore finished the year on a six-game losing streak, ending up in last place in the AFC North at 8-9.

After making the playoffs every season from 2018-20, the team missed out last year. But it has a good chance of making it back to the postseason in the 2022 campaign.

Lamar Jackson may not have a new contract yet, but the 25-year-old quarterback should still perform at a high level. He'll be part of a rushing attack that will eventually add J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, who both suffered a torn ACL last summer. And Baltimore's defense should be much improved, especially after drafting safety Kyle Hamilton in the first round.

The Cincinnati Bengals, which won the AFC North while reaching the Super Bowl last season, will be tough competition. But the Pittsburgh Steelers could struggle a bit in the first year of the post-Ben Roethlisberger era, while the Cleveland Browns may get off to a slow start if Deshaun Watson receives a suspension from the NFL.

Even if Baltimore doesn't win the division, it should at least be a wild-card team this term. Expect head coach John Harbaugh to get this franchise back on track and navigate it back to the playoffs.

Prediction: Ravens go 12-5

New York Jets

Rich Schultz/Getty Images

FLORHAM PARK, NJ - JUNE 15: Quarterback Zach Wilson #2 of the New York Jets throws a pass during New York Jets mandatory minicamp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on June 15, 2022 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

In recent years, the New York Jets have been doing a great job of bringing in young, talented players with a ton of potential. They were one of the big winners of the 2022 NFL draft, in which they added cornerback Ahmad Gardner, wide receiver Garrett Wilson and edge-rusher Jermaine Johnson II in the first round.

Eventually, New York will start seeing improved results on the field. And that could finally happen in 2022, which will be its second year under head coach Robert Saleh.

Last season, the Jets went 4-13 while quarterback Zach Wilson struggled in his rookie year. But New York has improved the offense around him this offseason, and the 22-year-old should be in a much better position to succeed.

Will the Jets end their 11-year playoff drought this season? Probably not. The Buffalo Bills will win the AFC East, while the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins should both be wild-card contenders.

However, New York could double its win total. It has some winnable non-division matchups on the second half of its schedule, and the team should be jelling by that point (assuming its key players stay healthy). So, 2022 will bring a step forward for the Jets.

Prediction: Jets go 8-9

Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez

Washington Commanders NFL football team new wide receiver Terry McLaurin, left, poses with head coach Ron Rivera after a press conference at Inova Sports Performance Center in Ashburn, Va., Wednesday, July 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

It took Ron Rivera until his third season as head coach of the Carolina Panthers to complete his rebuild of the franchise. In 2012, he guided them to a 12-4 record and an NFC South title.

The Commanders will likely lose more than four games in their third year under the 60-year-old, but this is a team that should compete with the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys for the NFC East crown. And they may surprise some with their performance.

Carson Wentz isn't an elite QB, but he'll be the best signal-caller Terry McLaurin has worked with during the wide receiver's Washington career. And there are some other exciting playmakers on offense, such as rookie receiver Jahan Dotson and a three-headed rushing attack featuring Antonio Gibson, J.D. McKissic and rookie Brian Robinson Jr.

The defense should be better after being surprisingly bad in 2021, particularly early. Once Chase Young is healthy, the 23-year-old defensive end could return to his 2020 production. The Commanders' defensive front remains powerful, with Young, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and Montez Sweat across the line.

For the first time in the Rivera era, Washington will finish with a winning record. And it may just end up in the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.

Prediction: Commanders go 11-6