NFL Network analyst’s 2022 game-by-game picks have Chiefs going first to worst in West
The big moves made by AFC West teams this offseason and the Chiefs’ trade of star wide receiver Tyreek Hill have made an impression on NFL Network analyst Adam Rank.
On Tuesday night, Rank revealed his pick to win all 272 NFL games this season. Since he sees a Ravens-Steelers tie, it’s actually 271 game winners.
The Chiefs enter the 2022 season having won six straight AFC West division titles and played host to four straight AFC Championship Games. But Rank thinks both of those streaks will come to an end.
Rank picked the Chiefs to finish last in the AFC West. Here is how he sees the final division standings:
- Broncos 12-5
- Raiders 12-5
- Chargers 11-6
- Chiefs 10-7
The other three AFC West teams make the playoffs in Rank’s projection with the Broncos claiming the division title.
“So for the first time in years the Kansas City Chiefs, despite winning 10 games, will not make the playoffs,” Rank said in the video. “You heard it here first. Go ahead and light me up in the comments there. I don’t care.”
The Chiefs have been in the postseason for seven straight seasons, so that’s another streak that would end.
And it would come in painful fashion: Rank sees the Chiefs losing at the Raiders in Week 18 with a playoff berth on the line.
Rank also has the Chiefs going 3-3 against AFC West teams, splitting the season series with each. That means the Broncos would beat the Chiefs for the first time since 2015.
“Here’s the best case scenario: (quarterback) Russell Wilson is the man and proves to be the missing piece for the Broncos this year,” Rank said about Denver. “Obviously, the worst case would be that he doesn’t play well. But obviously, I don’t believe that, 12-5 for the Denver Broncos and winning the AFC West.”
Here’s the game-by-game breakdown from Rank, and you can watch the video here):
At Cardinals: Loss (0-1 record)
Vs. Chargers: Loss (0-2)
At Colts: Win (1-2)
At Buccaneers: Loss (1-3)
Vs. Raiders: Win (2-3)
Vs. Bills: Loss (2-4)
At 49ers: Win (3-4)
Vs. Titans: Win (4-4)
Vs. Jaguars: Win (5-4)
At Chargers: Win (6-4)
Vs. Rams: Win (7-4)
At Bengals: Loss (7-5)
At Broncos: Loss (7-6)
At Texans: Win (8-6)
Vs. Seahawks: Win (9-6)
Vs. Broncos: Win (10-6)
At Raiders: Loss (10-7)
This story was originally published June 15, 2022 at 10:50 AM.
