NFL Predictions 2022: Division Odds, Playoff Standings, Wild-Card Picks

The majority of last year's NFL division winners could have a difficult time repeating in the 2022 season. Only three defending champs are odds-on favorites to finish in first place.

The Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, and Green Bay Packers have all won multiple division titles in a row. The Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts are favored to win their divisions, despite missing last year's playoffs.

Here are NFL division predictions and playoff picks for the 2022 season. Betting odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook.

AFC East: Buffalo Bills -230, Miami Dolphins +450, New England Patriots +500, New York Jets +2000

The Bills are Super Bowl favorites for a reason. Buffalo has won back-to-back AFC East titles, and Josh Allen might be poised to have an MVP campaign. The Dolphins are the biggest threat to the Bills. Offseason additions like offensive tackle Terron Armstead and receiver Tyreek Hill should help Tua Tagovailoa have his best season as a pro quarterback. Mac Jones doesn't have nearly the same support in New England. The Jets remain one of the league's worst teams.

Prediction: Buffalo

AFC North: Baltimore Ravens +145, Cincinnati Bengals +170, Cleveland Browns +370, Pittsburgh Steelers +950

The Ravens were the AFC's No. 1 seed last year before ending the season on a six-game losing streak amid a rash of injuries. If Lamar Jackson and Baltimore's secondary can stay healthy this time around, the Ravens are good enough to post the best record in the conference. Coming off a surprising trip to the Super Bowl, the Bengals won't catch anyone off guard in 2022. Cleveland and Pittsburgh will have a hard time making the playoffs because of uncertainty at quarterback.

Prediction: Baltimore

AFC South: Indianapolis Colts -125, Tennessee Titans +170, Jacksonville Jaguars +750, Houston Texans +2500

The Colts were eliminated from contention when Carson Wentz played poorly in last season's finale. With former MVP Matt Ryan replacing Wentz under center, Indianapolis should get over the hump and return to the playoffs. Losing receiver A.J. Brown will have a negative impact on Tennessee's offense, but the Titans will be in the playoff hunt. Tennessee has posted a winning record in six straight seasons. Jacksonville and Houston are still rebuilding.

Prediction: Indianapolis

AFC West: Kansas City Chiefs +155, Los Angeles Chargers +240, Denver Broncos +260, Las Vegas Raiders +700

The AFC West is widely viewed as the NFL's best division because of its four Pro-Bowl-caliber quarterbacks. The Raiders made the playoffs last year and added Davante Adams. The Broncos became contenders by trading for Russell Wilson. The Chargers have one of the NFL's most talented rosters, and Justin Herbert is on track to be one of the league's top quarterbacks. The Chiefs have won six straight AFC West championships. With Patrick Mahomes still at quarterback and head coach Andy Reid on the sidelines, Kansas City is still the best team in the division.

Prediction: Kansas City

Final 2022 AFC Playoff Standings

1) Baltimore

2) Kansas City

3) Buffalo

4) Indianapolis

5) Miami (wild-card)

6) Denver (wild-card)

7) Tennessee (wild-card)

NFC East: Dallas Cowboys +145, Philadelphia Eagles +145, Washington Commanders +550, New York Giants +750

The NFC East is a two-team race between Dallas and Philadelphia. Even though Dallas won the division by three games last season, Philadelphia should probably be favored to finish in first place. The Eagles had one of the NFL's best offseasons, highlighted by the addition of A.J. Brown. Not only are the Cowboys without three of their top four receivers from a season ago without proven replacements, the team lost left tackle Tyron Smith for the next few months. It's been 18 years since there's been a repeat NFC East champ. The Commanders and Giants may surprise people but the Cowboys and Eagles have a big edge entering the season.

Prediction: Philadelphia

NFC North: Green Bay Packers -155, Minnesota Vikings +240, Detroit Lions +950, Chicago Bears +1200

Much like the NFC East, the bottom two teams in the NFC North are little threat to win the division. The Packers appear to be the obvious choice, following three straight 13-win seasons and back-to-back NFL MVP awards for Aaron Rodgers. Davante Adams' departure may mean Rodgers' numbers take a dramatic hit. Minnesota could very well have the best offense in the division. Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson have been among the most productive players at their positions over the last two years. Eight of Minnesota's nine losses in 2021 came by one score. A change at head coach and a few breaks in close games could help the Vikings finish ahead of their rivals. The Lions surrounded Jared Goff with limited weapons last season but in 2022 the offensive line should be very good and Detroit should build off their miserable 3-13 season. The Bears need a lot of things to go right to sneak into contention.

Prediction: Minnesota

NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers -270, New Orleans Saints +300, Carolina Panthers +1500, Atlanta Falcons +3000

The NFC South is clearly Tampa Bay's to lose. Even at 45 years old, Tom Brady is still one of the league's most effective quarterbacks. Brady was the league's passing leader last season and the Super Bowl MVP two seasons ago. The Buccaneers reloaded on offense by adding receivers Julio Jones and Russell Gage but there are questions about the line. New Orleans could challenge for the division title in that case, though Jameis Winston is highly unlikely to lead the Saints past the Bucs. The Panthers and Falcons have too many questions on both sides of the ball.

Prediction: Tampa Bay

NFC West: Los Angeles Rams +125, San Francisco 49ers +170, Arizona Cardinals +360, Seattle Seahawks +1500

The Rams, 49ers and Cardinals all made the playoffs last year and were separated by two games in the standings. The Cardinals can win the NFC West if they can avoid another late-season collapse, though poor second halves have been a staple of coach Kliff Kingsbury's time in Arizona. San Francisco's chances of winning the division depend on Trey Lance's development as a starting quarterback. The Rams remain the best bet to win the NFC West. Los Angeles is bringing back most of its stars from last season's Super Bowl run.

Prediction: Los Angeles

Final 2022 NFC Playoff Standings

1) Philadelphia

2) Tampa Bay

3) Minnesota

4) Los Angeles

5) Green Bay (wild-card)

6) San Francisco (wild-card)

7) Arizona (wild-card)