NFL Schedule 2022: 5 bold predictions for the upcoming season

AFC Divisional Playoffs - Buffalo Bills v Kansas City Chiefs

#3 - Buffalo spoils the celebration in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles Rams have the honor of kicking off the 2022 season in the spotlight after winning the Super Bowl. This means a Week 1 Thursday night showdown against the Buffalo Bills will begin the season.

But the fact the Bills are in this fixture means the NFL views them as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. This is a team that was just one stop, maybe just a coin flip away from reaching the AFC Championship Game. They have now added Von Miller and look poised for a dominant season. That should include a Week 1 upset on the road as the Rams may still be coming down from their Super Bowl high.

Miami Dolphins Press Conference

#4 - Dolphins will make a statement on Christmas Day

The Miami Dolphins are seeking to take that leap into contention in 2022. Adding Tyreek Hill is an amazing step and gives Tua Tagovailoa an elite target to work with. Adding an offensive mind in Mike McDaniel helps as well.

This is why the NFL put the Dolphins in the spotlight on Christmas Day. They will host the Green Bay Packers in a Christmas afternoon showdown down in Florida. The Packers will be out of their frozen element and will be away from home on the holidays. This sets up the Dolphins to show off their team on a national stage and also prove they are a serious contender.

The Packers being without Davante Adams could have extreme ripple effects to be felt all season long. This may be where everything falls apart for Green Bay.

Dallas Cowboys v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

#5 - Dallas gets revenge in Week 1

The 2021 NFL season began with the Dallas Cowboys taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The defending champion Buccaneers got the win at home in that showdown.

The two teams meet up again to open the 2022 season, this time in the Sunday night primetime slot. Tom Brady is back, but Tampa Bay are no longer the defending champions. The game is also taking place in Dallas, which should feature a hostile and excitable crowd to open the year.

The Cowboys are known to falter in the postseason. But they have shown plenty of regular-season success and an injury-free Dak Prescott should mean they pull off a victory to get their NFL season started on a good note.