NFC Preseason Grades: Questions Surround Favorites Rams, Packers and Bucs
With the 2022 NFL preseason is all wrapped up, it’s time to evaluate each NFC team following the action while also highlighting their results and odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.
NFC Preseason Grades
Arizona Cardinals
Record: 1-2
Super Bowl Odds: +4000
NFC Odds: +2000
With starting quarterback Kyler Murray nursing a wrist injury, in addition to starting center Rodney Hudson and No. 1 tight end Zach Ertz also missing all three preseason games, it wasn’t an ideal set of tune-ups for the Cardinals. Additionally, top wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is suspended for the first six regular season contests. Arizona doesn’t have the easiest schedule to open 2022, either.
Grade: C-
Atlanta Falcons
Record: 2-1
Super Bowl Odds: +20000
NFC Odds: +10000
For a team probably already looking ahead to the 2023 season – and potentially beyond – the Falcons took a long look at backup quarterback Desmond Ridder, who produced mixed results. Starting QB Marcus Mariota was sharp in completing eight of 12 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, rookie running back Tyler Allgeier impressed. Burying the lead, 2022 first-round selection Drake London sustained a knee injury in the preseason opener and hasn’t practiced since. It’ll be a big blow if London isn’t ready for Week 1.
Grade: C+
Carolina Panthers
Record: 2-1
Super Bowl Odds: +13000
NFC Odds: +7000
Assuming wide receiver Robbie Anderson and defensive tackle Derrick Brown are healthy enough to start Week 1, the Panthers had a strong preseason and will be all systems go to start the year. In particular, starting quarterback Baker Mayfield completing nine of 15 passes for 89 yards and two touchdowns in the preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills on Friday was encouraging for the offense. Plus, star running back Christian McCaffrey is healthy (for now, at least).
Grade: A-
Chicago Bears
Record: 3-0
Super Bowl Odds: +15000
NFC Odds: +8000
The Bears have a laundry list of injuries in the wide receiver room while star linebacker Roquan Smith didn’t play a preseason snap, held out for a spell and also requested a trade. Still, the Bears went 3-0, and Justin Fields impressed. The second-year quarterback saw action in all three exhibition games and completed 23 of 30 passes for 243 yards, including three touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns in the finale. If Fields parlays that play into the regular season, Chicago has the most important part of its rebuild figured out.
Grade: A-
Dallas Cowboys
Record: 2-1
Super Bowl Odds: +2200
NFC Odds: +1000
Aside from wide receiver KaVontae Turpin showing off in the return game, it was a disastrous preseason for the Cowboys. The wide receiver depth chart is littered with injuries, and eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith is expected to miss nearly the entire regular season after sustaining an avulsion fracture in his left knee.
Grade: D-
Detroit Lions
Record: 2-1
Super Bowl Odds: +15000
NFC Odds: +6000
The Lions knew wide receiver Jameson Williams wouldn’t be recovered from his ACL tear in the National Championship Game when they selected him with the 12th overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, but otherwise, the roster is healthy leading into Week 1. Additionally, the Detroit starters played sparingly during exhibition play, so it was as quiet a preseason as a team can have while being featured on ‘Hard Knocks.’
Grade: B
Green Bay Packers
Record: 1-2
Super Bowl Odds: +1000
NFC Odds: +400
Having offensive linemen David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins both questionable for Week 1 while still recovering from ACL tears is worrisome. After all, quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn’t take a preseason snap, and the wide receiver corps has undergone a significant personnel transition. Plus, starting tight end Robert Tonyan is also iffy to be ready for the start of the season. There are a lot of question marks.
Grade: D+
Los Angeles Rams
Record: 1-2
Super Bowl Odds: +1200
NFC Odds: +550
The reigning Super Bowl champs have three key players recovering from offseason procedures in starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, edge rusher Leonard Floyd and cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Third-year wide receiver Van Jefferson is also uncertain for the opener after undergoing minor knee surgery in early August. A Week 1 date with the 2022 Super Bowl favorite Buffalo Bills looms, as well.
Grade: C-
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Minnesota Vikings
Record: 0-3
Super Bowl Odds: +1800
NFC Odds: +3500
The Minnesota veterans hardly played during the preseason, if at all, and tight end Irv Smith is the only notable starter currently questionable for Week 1 after undergoing thumb surgery in early August. It was a quiet preseason for the Vikings with first-year head coach Kevin O’Connell holding his cards close to his chest.
Grade: C
New Orleans Saints
Record: 1-2
Super Bowl Odds: +4000
NFC Odds: +2000
Starting wide receiver Michael Thomas, left tackle James Hurst and linebacker Pete Werner are all nursing minor injuries leading into the regular season, and if any of them are forced to miss the Week 1 tilt against the Atlanta Falcons it would take a toll. However, the Saints are -5.5 road favorites, and starting quarterback Jameis Winston was sharp in his return to action, going 4-for-4 through the air for 59 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday.
Grade: B-
New York Giants
Record: 2-1
Super Bowl Odds: +13000
NFC Odds: +6000
The Giants have injuries throughout the lineup, so it’s nearly a given that multiple starters will either miss Week 1 or suit up at less than 100 percent. Still, starting quarterback Daniel Jones completed 20 of 26 passes during two exhibition appearances, which is encouraging heading into a make-or-break season for the fourth-year signal caller. Most important, though, star running back Saquon Barkley heads into Week 1 at full health.
Grade: B-
Philadelphia Eagles
Record: 1-2
Super Bowl Odds: +2200
NFC Odds: +1000
Starting center Jason Kelce is expected to be ready for Week 1 following an offseason elbow procedure, which leaves running back Miles Sanders and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave as the only potential impact Eagles questionable for Week 1. Otherwise, everything appears on the up and up in Philly, and especially after starting quarterback Jalen Hurts was given the veteran treatment and watched the final two preseason contests from the sidelines.
Grade: B+
Seattle Seahawks
Record: 0-3
Super Bowl Odds: +15000
NFC Odds: +8000
Third-year Seahawk Geno Smith seemingly won the No. 1 quarterback job by default with backup Drew Lock missing time during the preseason with COVID-19. With Smith entering Week 1 with a 13-21 career record, the Seattle faithful should quickly realize just how much they miss Russell Wilson in a hurry. Rookie running back Kenneth Walker III is also still recovering from a hernia procedure and remains iffy for Week 1, which positions injury-prone rusher Rashaad Penny in line for a potentially large workload against the Denver Broncos in the season opener.
Grade: C
San Francisco 49ers
Record: 2-1
Super Bowl Odds: +1600
NFC Odds: +750
Top wide receiver Deebo Samuel and No. 1 running back Elijah Mitchell are expected to play Week 1, which leaves impact starting left tackle Trent Williams and defensive end Arik Armstead as the only question marks for the 49ers. Starting quarterback Trey Lance also looked poised through two preseason appearances connecting on 11 of 16 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown.
Grade: A-
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Record: 0-3
Super Bowl Odds: +700
NFC Odds: +330
Center Ryan Jensen is expected to be done for the season after starting 17 games and earning his first Pro Bowl honors last year. Making matters worse, backup center Robert Hainsey is nursing an ankle injury, and starting right tackle Tristan Wirfs has been dealing with multiple minor injuries throughout training camp. At least Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady played in the preseason finale, but wide receivers Chris Godwin and Russell Gage also aren’t locks to suit up for Week 1.
Grade: C
Washington Commanders
Record: 0-3
Super Bowl Odds: +7000
NFC Odds: +3500
With defensive end Chase Young on the reserve/PUP list, the Washington defense is already starting the regular season behind the eight ball. Additionally, Carson Wentz threw for just 6.57 yards per attempt through his two exhibition appearances. Simply put, it’s tough to find cause for optimism in Washington.
Grade: C-
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