The 2022 NFL season is now past the halfway point, and it has already provided plenty of excitement, drama and surprises. From week to week, the games seem to get more thrilling, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. The playoff races are tight in most divisions, with several teams exceeding expectations while others have underperformed. Let’s take a look at some of the most notable games, players and storylines so far.
Week 1 saw the Buffalo Bills assert their dominance with a 31-10 rout of the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams on opening night. Josh Allen threw for 297 yards and 3 touchdowns while the Bills defense intercepted Matthew Stafford 3 times. Another highlight was the New York Giants’ huge 21-20 upset win over the Tennessee Titans, with Daniel Jones throwing for 2 TDs and running for another.
In Week 2 Justin Jefferson exploded with 9 catches for 184 yards and 2 TDs to lead the Minnesota Vikings to victory over the rival Green Bay Packers. The Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens played a wild shootout, with Tua Tagovailoa and Lamar Jackson combining for over 700 passing yards and 7 TDs. The game ended with a dramatic Justin Tucker 66-yard field goal to give the Ravens a 42-38 win.
The Kansas City Chiefs looked dominant early in the season behind the arm of Patrick Mahomes. They crushed the Arizona Cardinals 44-21 in Week 1 as Mahomes threw for 360 yards and 5 TDs. In Week 3 it was another vintage Mahomes performance, with 331 yards and 4 TDs in a 41-31 win over Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Chiefs looked poised for another deep playoff run.
In Week 4 the Buffalo Bills got revenge on the Ravens with a 23-20 comeback win. Josh Allen led a game-winning drive in the final minutes to maintain Buffalo’s status as Super Bowl favorites. The surprising New York Giants also pulled off another upset, taking down the Chicago Bears 20-12 behind Saquon Barkley’s 146 rushing yards.
The Green Bay Packers stumbled to a 3-3 start, but Aaron Rodgers reminded everyone of his greatness with 3 TD passes in the second half of a 27-22 Week 6 win over the Patriots. In Week 7 Rodgers shredded the Washington Commanders for 3 more TDs in a 23-21 victory.
In one of the season’s most thrilling games so far, the Miami Dolphins outlasted the Detroit Lions 31-27 in Week 8. Tua Tagovailoa threw for 380 yards and 3 TDs, including two bombs to Jaylen Waddle for 98 and 47 yards. The Lions rallied from a 14-point fourth quarter deficit to tie it, but the Dolphins hit a field goal as time expired to win it.
The Bills and Chiefs looked poised for an AFC Championship rematch after splitting their regular season series. In Week 6 Buffalo demolished Kansas City 24-20 behind Josh Allen’s 329 yard, 3 TD performance. But the Chiefs bounced back to throttle the Bills 44-23 in Week 7, with Patrick Mahomes piling up 413 yards passing and 3 TDs. Tyreek Hill burned his old team with 7 catches for 163 yards and a score.
In NFC action, the Philadelphia Eagles were the league’s last undefeated team at 7-0 behind the outstanding play of quarterback Jalen Hurts. Hurts accounted for 348 total yards and 4 TDs in a dominant 35-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 8. The Eagles look like true Super Bowl contenders in the NFC.
The Minnesota Vikings also surprised at 6-1, relying on new head coach Kevin O’Connell’s offensive scheme which unlocked quarterback Kirk Cousins’ potential. In Week 8 Cousins shredded the Arizona Cardinals for 267 yards and 2 TDs in a 34-26 win. The Vikings aim to win the NFC North over rival Green Bay.
In the NFC West, the San Francisco 49ers bounced back from a sluggish start after trading for Christian McCaffrey. He scored his first TD with San Francisco in Week 7, sparking a 44-23 drubbing of the Los Angeles Rams. McCaffrey’s versatility makes the 49ers offense far more dynamic.
Some individual players are putting up eye-popping stats. Miami’s Tyreek Hill leads all receivers with 76 catches for 1,104 yards. Buffalo’s Stefon Diggs has the most receiving TDs with 7. Nick Chubb of Cleveland has 841 rushing yards to lead all runners, while Derrick Henry has 870 total scrimmage yards to pace the league. On defense, Dallas linebacker Micah Parsons already has 8 sacks.
Of course there have been some disappointments too. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are scuffling at 4-6, and Tom Brady’s Buccaneers are a very mortal 4-5. The defending champion Rams are stuck at 3-5, struggling with injuries and inconsistent play from Matthew Stafford.
In the AFC, the Las Vegas Raiders brought in star receiver Davante Adams but have floundered to a 2-6 record, leading to head coach Josh McDaniels already being on the hot seat. The Denver Broncos traded for Russell Wilson but their offense has sputtered, scoring over 16 points only once so far.
With two months left, the playoff races are tight and every game carries major implications. The Eagles, Bills and Chiefs look like the best teams right now, but others like the Vikings, 49ers, Cowboys and Dolphins are hoping to prove themselves as contenders. Every week brings more unpredictable results and excitement.
For the Eagles, staying healthy will be key as they try to hold onto the NFC’s #1 seed. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has emerged as an MVP candidate in his second year as a starter, but he will need to continue improving as a passer to take this team on a deep playoff run. The defense has been stout all season thanks to a fierce pass rush led by Haason Reddick.
The Bills and Chiefs both have the offensive firepower to make it back to the AFC title game. Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes are two of the most talented and competitive QBs in the league. But Allen must cut down on interceptions, while Mahomes needs his defense to step up. Their regular season rematch in Week 14 will have major playoff implications.
It should be an exciting final stretch with tight divisional races in both conferences. Teams like the Bengals, Titans, Jets and Commanders are battling for Wild Card spots. Established stars like Brady, Rodgers and Stafford are looking to turn around frustrating seasons. Young players like Hurts, Mahomes and Justin Jefferson want to make their mark. And clubs like the Dolphins and Giants are ahead of schedule in their rebuilding efforts.
No matter what happens, one thing is for sure – the NFL consistently delivers close, tense, meaningful games decided in the fourth quarter. With all the surprises and drama so far, football fans should be thrilled at the prospect of a postseason with endless possibilities. Will a new Super Bowl contender emerge or will a powerhouse like the Chiefs finally get back to the big game? The final two months will determine everything, so buckle up for more unforgettable NFL action.
