5 NFL teams whose playoffs dreams are all but over in 2022

Modified Nov 21, 2022 20:27 GMT

The 2022 NFL season is well over halfway done, with 11 weeks already in the books. Some teams have seemingly already secured a playoff berth following a red-hot start to the season, with the Philadelphia Eagles currently sitting at 9-1 and looking like a shoo-in for the postseason.

However, as much as there have been successful teams, there are plenty of teams whose 2022 season looks to be over well before the end of the regular season.

#5 - Houston Texans

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The Houston Texans are one of many teams whose playoff hopes have definitely been dashed. After 11 weeks of football, they sit at 1-8-1, six wins behind division leaders Tennessee Titans. It’s highly unlikely they’ll mount a late playoff push with a below-par roster.

Davis Mills at quarterback has taken a step back after a solid rookie campaign, passing for just 11 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. He’s also posted a dismal 29.3 QBR according to ESPN, which ranks him amongst the worst quarterbacks in the NFL this year.

#4 - Denver Broncos

Despite many NFL fans and analysts alike having the Denver Broncos as Super Bowl contenders following their Russell Wilson trade, it seems as though their playoff hopes are all but over for 2022.

Over 11 weeks, Denver sit at just 3-7 and way off Kansas City in the AFC West at 8-2. Denver have been horrendous on offense under Wilson in 2022, scoring more than 16 points on just two occasions all year. Their offense is holding an elite defense back, which will keep them out of the playoffs in 2022.

#3 - Las Vegas Raiders

Like the Denver Broncos, the Las Vegas Raiders are buried at the bottom of the AFC West, looking out of the playoff hunt for 2022.

Derek Carr teamed up with his old college teammate in the offseason when the Raiders traded for Davante Adams. While that has worked out so far, the team haven’t been able to find a way to win.

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They sit at 3-7, having picked up their third win of the year in an overtime win over Denver in Week 11.

The injury bug hasn’t been kind to them, however. Las Vegas have lost Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller to season-ending injuries.

#2 - Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears are almost certainly out of playoff contention despite the excellent form of quarterback Justin Fields.

Fields has established himself as an elite rusher at quarterback, rushing for the most yards by a quarterback over a five-game stretch during the Super Bowl era.

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Despite this, the Bears are unable to stop anyone on defense, giving up 274 points on the year, a score only worsened by the Detroit Lions. As long as the Bears defense remains this poor, they won’t get a sniff of the NFL playoffs.

#1 - Pittsburgh Steelers

Cincinnati Bengals v Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are another team whose playoff dreams are over for 2022. 11 weeks later, they sit dead last in the AFC North at 3-7.

Led by rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett, who took over from Mitch Trubisky, the Steelers have struggled on offense all season, scoring just 170 points in their 10 outings. This is the fourth-worst mark in the league and something they’ll have to figure out if they’re going to make a playoff push in 2023.

However, their hopes for the 2022 playoffs are surely over as the division-leading Baltimore Ravens are four games ahead at 7-3.