2022 Xavier Cromartie Faux/Computer Simulated Season 1.0 (NFC Wild Card Playoffs)
INTRO:
(Same intro everyday) Four analysts are running their own early models of the 2022 NFL season, as we know it today – looking at the current teams/rosters/starters/depth mixed with the schedule layout.
We will release the simulation results and short commentaries three weeks at a time (Weeks 1-3, 4-6, etc.) by each analyst daily -- and then each analyst will simulate their playoffs all the way up to crowning their early Super Bowl champ. This is pre-work looking for/searching and sharing possible great Over/Under win total bets ahead of the crowd.
The analysts have not seen each other’s simulations…they’ll be seeing them for the first time as the report’s release daily for the next 12 days.
Your 2022 Faux 1.0 Analyst Lineup:
Ross Jacobs, FFM analyst (every 8am ET for the entire series)
Xavier Cromartie, long-time contributor/NFL Draft guru (every noonET)
Chris Bilello, Bet the Close Podcast (every 4pmET)
RC Fischer, FFM analyst (every 8pmET)
Hope you enjoy this two-week daily series…it’s all the analyst’s favorite project – one that totally consumes them and drives them mad working on it all, trying to predict the unpredictable…then a major injury will hit in July and/or August and blow all the theories and models all up. But for now, here’s what the analysts are seeing…
NFC Wild Card:
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers bye
2. Green Bay Packers v 7. New Orleans Saints
The Saints have the undisputed worst starting QB of any playoff team. But they have a lot of talent elsewhere, especially on defense. They're in "win now" mode while the NFC is weak as a whole. Unfortunately, they ran into the Packers right away, who also have a great defense. Even though Aaron Rodgers has no one to throw to, he's still Aaron Rodgers. The Saints go marching out.
Packers 24, Saints 20
3. Los Angeles Rams v 6. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys started the season 2-4, and then they benefited from a relatively easy schedule from week 7 onward. Although they have Micah Parsons, the rest of their defense is uninspiring. The Rams lost some of their key mercenaries, but overall they remain a pretty strong team. I would make a joke about the Cowboys here, but I've run out of time...
Rams 28, Cowboys 23
4. Philadelphia Eagles v 5. Minnesota Vikings
Kirk Cousins is an equal talent to Dak Prescott, but Jalen Hurts projects as better than both of them with the offensive talent around him. The Vikings have a slightly better defense than the Eagles, but both teams are somewhat deficient in the secondary. Both teams outperformed expectations on the season, but the Vikings go a 57th year without winning a Super Bowl.
Eagles 27, Vikings 24
