AFC Preseason Grades: Bills Soar, Browns Stumble
The 2022 NFL preseason is in the books, and it’s time to assess each AFC team following the action while also highlighting their results and odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
AFC Preseason Grades
Baltimore Ravens
Record: 3-0
Super Bowl Odds: +2000
AFC Odds: +900
Injuries derailed the Ravens last season, and with impact starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley, cornerback Marcus Peters and running back J.K. Dobbins all questionable for Week 1, all hands might not be on deck for Baltimore to start the 2022 campaign, either. Add an underwhelming wide receiver corps behind 2021 first-round selection Rashod Bateman, and the Ravens going 3-0 in exhibition play is one of the few highlights.
Grade: B-
Buffalo Bills
Record: 2-1
Super Bowl Odds: +550
AFC Odds: +275
Aside from two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Tre'Davious White’s recovery timeline from last season’s ACL tear being up in the air, the Bills are healthy heading into Week 1. Additionally, the betting favorites to win the Super Bowl have no need to rush White back.
Grade: A
Cincinnati Bengals
Record: 1-2
Super Bowl Odds: +2200
AFC Odds: +1100
While quarterback Joe Burrow taking some in-game snaps behind a new-look offensive line would probably have been preferred, the third-year signal caller remains on track to be ready for Week 1 following an appendectomy in late July. Still, wide receiver Tee Higgins, linebacker Logan Wilson and cornerback Eli Apple are all recovering from their respective offseason procedures with unknown statuses.
Grade: C+
Cleveland Browns
Record: 1-2
Super Bowl Odds: +5000
AFC Odds: +2200
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett completing just 13 of 23 passes for a pedestrian 109 yards and an interception during Saturday’s loss to the Chicago Bears fittingly sums up the preseason developments for the Browns. On the positive side, Cleveland does head into Week 1 without any notable injuries.
Grade: D
Denver Broncos
Record: 1-2
Super Bowl Odds: +5000
AFC Odds: +2200
With edge rusher Randy Gregory and linebacker Jonas Griffith trending toward being ready for Week 1, Denver losing veteran wide receiver Tim Patrick for the season is the only notable loss for the Broncos during the offseason. Nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson didn’t take an exhibition snap, which can be spun as a positive or a negative.
Grade: B-
Houston Texans
Record: 3-0
Super Bowl Odds: +25000
AFC Odds: +13000
The Texans showed off during the preseason with a perfect record, and rookie running back Dameon Pierce has been the talk of fantasy footballers. Second-year wide receiver Nico Collins also looks promising. Add that the entire roster is healthy heading into Week 1, and Houston had one of the better preseasons in the league. Still, the success carrying over to the regular season remains highly unlikely.
Grade: A-
Indianapolis Colts
Record: 1-2
Super Bowl Odds: +2500
AFC Odds: +1200
The offense didn’t stand out with veteran quarterback Matt Ryan at the helm during the preseason, as he completed 11 of 17 passes for just 117 yards and failed to throw a touchdown pass. Additionally, three-time All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard’s status is up in the air for Week 1 following a back procedure in June. Expectations remain high for the Colts, though.
Grade: C
Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 0-4
Super Bowl Odds: +13000
AFC Odds: +6500
With franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence completing a respectable 20 of 33 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown through two exhibition appearances, the Jacksonville offense appears set to take a step forward with added weapons in the wide receiver room, and 2021 first-round selection running back Travis Etienne healthy entering the year.
Grade: B-
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Kansas City Chiefs
Record: 2-1
Super Bowl Odds: +1000
AFC Odds: +550
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was razor sharp during his two preseason appearances, and Kansas City is going to be as close to full health as any team in the NFL entering Week 1. It’s also easy to forget the Chiefs blew a second-half lead in the AFC Championship Game to miss playing in the Super Bowl for a third consecutive season. Everything is A-O.K. in K.C.
Grade: A
Los Angeles Chargers
Record: 0-3
Super Bowl Odds: +1400
AFC Odds: +750
First-year Chargers cornerback J.C. Jackson and rookie running back Isaiah Spiller are impact players who are doubtful for Week 1, and Los Angeles struggling to be competitive during preseason play aren’t encouraging realities heading into the 2022 season. However, quarterback Justin Herbert didn’t take an exhibition snap, so it’s probably foolish to read too much into the LA preseason results.
Grade: C
Las Vegas Raiders
Record: 4-0
Super Bowl Odds: +4000
AFC Odds: +2000
A perfect exhibition record and a mainly healthy roster entering Week 1 are huge positives. It still would have been nice to see quarterback Derek Carr connect with wide receiver Davante Adams a few times, though. Additionally, tight end Darren Waller missed considerable time, and his lack of a concrete return timeline is noteworthy.
Grade: B+
Miami Dolphins
Record: 2-1
Super Bowl Odds: +4000
AFC Odds: +2000
Cornerback Bryon Jones is behind on his recovery from ankle surgery in March, but he stands as the only notable starter in danger of missing Week 1. Additionally, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa impressed in his two preseason appearances while completing 12 of 15 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown. He also connected with first-year Miami wide receiver Tyreek Hill for a 51-yard completion on the first play of Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Grade: A-
New England Patriots
Record: 1-2
Super Bowl Odds: +5000
AFC Odds: +2200
It was a ho-hum preseason from quarterback Mac Jones that consisted of completing 13 of 21 targets for a modest 132 yards. He also threw an interception against the Las Vegas Raiders during Friday’s loss. Overall, New England heads to Week 1 in underwhelming form, and it’ll be interesting if they can continue to punch above their weight class given the lack of star power on the roster.
Grade: C
New York Jets
Record: 3-0
Super Bowl Odds: +13000
AFC Odds: +7500
Any time your No. 1 quarterback is injured during preseason play it’s a huge blow, but at least 14-year veteran signal caller Joe Flacco is set for Week 1 duty, right? Still, the Jets feature an encouraging collection of young players at the skill positions, and perhaps their 3-0 preseason record is a sign of future improvement on their four-win 2021 season.
Grade: D+
Pittsburgh Steelers
Record: 3-0
Super Bowl Odds: +9000
AFC Odds: +5000
Assuming wide receiver Diontae Johnson and edge rusher T.J. Watt didn’t sustain serious injuries during Sunday’s preseason win over the Detroit Lions, the Steelers had a solid preseason. Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett has built a case to be the Week 1 starter, and rookie wide receiver George Pickens also impressed. The fact head coach Mike Tomlin hasn’t named the starting quarterback yet might be a negative, but both Pickett and veteran Mitchell Trubisky were sharp during a 3-0 preseason.
Grade: B+
Tennessee Titans
Record: 2-1
Super Bowl Odds: +4000
AFC Odds: +2000
The Titans earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC last season and played the majority of their veterans sparingly across their three exhibition contests. As a result, rookie quarterback Malik Willis was able to showcase his tremendous upside. Star running back Derrick Henry is also fully healthy entering the season, so the Titans just might sneak up on the conference again this year.
Grade: B
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