Tag: 2022 season

By The Numbers: The Beautiful Mystery That Was The 2022 Minnesota Vikings

The 2022 Minnesota Vikings were the unique anomaly by multiple metrics. @MixsonS_NFL explores that in his Vikings Wire debut.

Since the NFL’s regular season expanded to 17 regular-season games in 2021, only seven teams have won 13 or more. In 2021, there were two: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Green Bay Packers. In 2022, that number ballooned to five teams that separated themselves from the rest of the crop. Or so you would think.

Three of the eventual conference championship teams were on this list (Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, and San Francisco 49ers). The Buffalo Bills were not involved that weekend because they faced a scorching-hot Cincinnati Bengals the week before in the divisional round. Amidst all of this was one team that was not like the others. One that did not get the same respect as their winning counterparts. One sole outlier: The 2022 Minnesota Vikings.

Don’t believe me? Look at the numbers, according to FootballOutsiders.com:

Teams Overall DVOA Offensive DVOA Defensive DVOA Estimated Wins
2021 Tampa Bay Bucs 3rd 1st 9th 13.3
2021 GB Packers 8th 2nd 22nd 10.8
2022 San Francisco 49ers 2nd 6th 1st 12.3
2022 Buffalo Bills 1st 2nd 4th 14.8
2022 Philadelphia Eagles 3rd 3rd 6th 12.6
2022 Kansas City Chiefs 4th 1st 17th 12
2022 Minnesota Vikings 27th 20th 27th 6.3

Every advanced metric points to this team being below-average to downright mediocre. So, what separated them from the rest of the pack?

Bears QB Justin Fields was the NFL’s most explosive runner in 2022

No one was more explosive on the ground last season than Bears QB Justin Fields.

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Bears quarterback Justin Fields emerged as one of the NFL’s most electric players during the 2022 season due to his elite rushing ability.

Fields rushed for 1,143 yards — second-most ever by a quarterback — and eight touchdowns last season. Fields rushed for 100-plus yards in three games, including a career-high 178 rushing yards against the Dolphins. Fields eclipsed 70 rushing yards in eight games.

Fields was the NFL’s most explosive runner during the 2022 season, according to Next Gen Stats, where he was ahead of the likes of Seattle’s Kenneth Walker III and Jacksonville’s Travis Etienne.

Fields’ 2022 season was visually thrilling. Statistically, it was incredible, especially considering the state of the Bears last year.

What Fields did in 2022 was a matter of making the most out of a less-than-ideal situation. The Bears lacked weapons offensively and struggled because of it, but Fields often kept them afloat otherwise. His ability to create positive gains with his legs only makes him more dangerous, and unless Chicago confines him to the pocket indefinitely, it’s safe to expect he’ll end up on this list again a year from now.

When breaking it down, Fields earned an explosive score of 98 (the next closest was 90). Fields had 33 runs of 10-plus yards (20.6%) and 89 runs that eclipsed 15 mph (55.6%), which was the most in the NFL. Simply put, Fields was magic.

While Fields made it clear he doesn’t want to rush for 1,000 yards again, there’s no doubt that his running ability will remain a huge component of the Bears offense moving forward. And Fields will always be a threat to break off a long run.

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WATCH: Compilation of Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ best plays from 2022

The NFL took some time to appreciate #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ 2022 season on Wednesday. | from @TheJohnDillon

The NFL took time to appreciate Patrick Mahomes’ best plays from the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl campaign in a compilation video posted to Twitter on Wednesday.

In their showcase of the top 20 highlights from Mahomes’ MVP campaign, perhaps the most perplexing aspect of the video, besides the quarterback’s otherworldly skills, was the league’s inability to add his Week 13 touchdown pass to Jerick McKinnon against the Denver Broncos, which was among the best plays of his career.

Though the oversight by the NFL on that play, in particular, was egregious, the sheer number of incredible passes that Mahomes accumulated over the course of the 2022 season clearly made cutting the list down to just 20 plays a difficult proposition.

With some luck and a little bit of help from second-round pick Rashee Rice next season, Mahomes could manage to outdo himself in 2023 and give the league even more hard choices next season when they commemorate his accomplishments.

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Bears RB Khalil Herbert led NFL in rushing yards over expectation per carry in 2022

Bears RB Khalil Herbert was one of the most efficient running backs in the NFL last season.

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Bears running back Khalil Herbert was one of the most efficient running backs in the NFL during the 2022 season.

Herbert, who was part of the league’s top-ranked rushing attack, thrived in Luke Getsy’s offense. Herbert had 129 carries for 731 yards and four touchdowns. He ranked second to only quarterback Justin Fields (1,143 yards) in rushing.

Herbert averaged 5.7 yards per carry, which was the highest among all qualifying running backs.

According to Fantasy Points‘ Scott Barrett, Herbert also led the NFL in rushing yards over expectation per carry in 2022 — and it wasn’t even close. Cowboys running back Tony Pollard came in second behind Herbert.

Herbert achieved the feat in a reserve role behind David Montgomery, and it’s one of the reasons why the Bears went in the direction they did. Montgomery signed with the Detroit Lions in free agency while Chicago added D’Onta Foreman and rookie Roschon Johnson to the mix alongside Herbert.

Now, Herbert is the favorite to get the workload in a Bears offense that’s predicated to running the ball. Herbert excelled in his limited opportunities in 2022. Now, we’ll see if he can take advantage of a heavier workload this upcoming season.

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Bears roster comparison: Where Ryan Poles made improvements in 2023

Ryan Poles has made significant improvements across the board with this Bears roster in 2023.

Bears general manager Ryan Poles has overhauled the roster this offseason, which includes the additions of potential impact veterans and rookies.

The Bears addressed needs in free agency with the signings of linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, guard Nate Davis, defensive tackle Andrew Billings, defensive end DeMarcus Walker, tight end Robert Tonyan and running back D’Onta Foreman.

Poles also filled some big holes with his 2023 NFL draft class, including offensive tackle Darnell Wright, defensive tackles Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson. He also added some potential steals with running back Roschon Johnson, wide receiver Tyler Scott and cornerback Terell Smith.

But how does this 2023 roster compare to the 2022 group?

With that in mind, we’re going position by position to evaluate the roster at the end of the 2022 season to where it is at this point of the 2023 offseason:

*denotes rookie

Bears name David Montgomery, Jack Sanborn recipients of Brian Piccolo Award

Every year, the Bears select a veteran and rookie to honor with the Brian Piccolo Award. This year, it’s David Montgomery and Jack Sanborn.

Courage. Loyalty. Teamwork. Dedication. A sense of humor. Those are just a few traits that described the late Brian Piccolo.

Every year, the Chicago Bears select a veteran and a rookie that best exemplify those traits to honor the former Bears running back with the Brian Piccolo Award. This year’s recipients are running back David Montgomery (a two-time winner) and rookie linebacker Jack Sanborn.

Montgomery, a former third-round pick by the Bears, has been one of the most consistent players on the team over the last four years. Last year, he had 801 rushing yards, averaging 4.0 yards per carry, and five touchdowns. He added 34 catches for 316 yards and a score. Montgomery signed a three-year deal with the Lions in free agency.

Sanborn, who signed as an undrafted free agent, was one of Chicago’s best rookies last season. After Roquan Smith was traded to the Ravens, Sanborn was thrust into a starting role at middle linebacker, where he thrived. Sanborn showcased his elite instincts and solid tackling that brought consistency to the front seven. He had 48 solo tackles in six starts and was on pace to lead the league (had he started all 17 games). Sanborn also earned a nod on Pro Football Focus’ All-Rookie Team.

“It’s incredibly special,” Sanborn said, via 670 the Score. “I mean, the guys that you go through every day with, they see you the most of anyone, and then they’re the ones that vote you in something. Any award that’s voted on by your teammates, by the players, holds more weight.”

Piccolo is most known for his relationship with former Bears Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers, and their friendship was the spotlight of the film Brian’s Song, which has left a profound impact on many who have watched it.

Piccolo passed away after embryonal cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of germ cell testicular cancer, had spread to his chest cavity. He was 26 years old. Still, Piccolo’s memory lives on through the stories told and an annual award that honors those traits that defined his character.

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Looking back at the Bears’ 2022 rookie draft class

Ahead of the 2023 NFL draft, we’re taking a look back at the Bears’ rookie class from last year.

The Chicago Bears drafted 11 players in the 2022 NFL draft, as well as added a handful of undrafted rookies, where a number of them made significant contributions on offense, defense or special teams during their rookie season.

There were some rookies that shined brighter than others and some that made the most of their limited opportunities. But it’s clear the future is bright with this 2022 draft class, general manager Ryan Poles’ first.

Ahead of the 2023 NFL draft, we’re taking a look back at Chicago’s rookie class from last year, featuring both draft picks and undrafted free agents.

Andy Dalton blunt on 2022 NFC South: ‘Nobody wanted to win the division last year’

Andy Dalton lost two of his three starts against NFC South teams last year. Now that he’s signed with the Panthers, the ex-Saints QB says it’s a division nobody wanted to win:

Andy Dalton went turncloak as a free agent this spring, leaving the New Orleans Saints to sign a solid contract with the Carolina Panthers (which helps the Saints as far as 2024 compensatory draft picks are concerned, too). But Dalton shared a blunt assessment of the NFC South after getting a good look at it as the Saints’ surprise starting quarterback for much of the 2022 season.

“Nobody wanted to win the division last year the way it was going,” Dalton reflected, per Panthers beat reporter Joe Person.

That includes Dalton, apparently. He lost two of his three starts against NFC South opponents in a 17-16 road defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a season-ending 10-7 embarrassment at the hands of (who else?) Carolina, though he got the job done in a 21-18 win over the Atlanta Falcons. His efforts kept the Saints down-but-not-out for much of the season, including that miserable slog through January and December when none of the four NFC South teams wanted to separate from the pack.

Hopefully things go better in 2023. The Saints have replaced Dalton with Derek Carr, one of this year’s most expensive free agents, and the Panthers are preparing to pick a rookie quarterback for Dalton to help coach up with the first overall draft pick. Atlanta is still rebuilding and Tampa Bay is actively tanking, so this might end up being a two-horse race if Carolina gets that quarterback pick right.

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Adam Jones doubles down, gets more facts wrong while ripping Saints

Former NFL cornerback Adam Jones doubled down on his Saints criticism, misreading multiple box scores to claim the Saints lost games that they actually won:

Adam Jones doesn’t know when to quit. The former NFL cornerback made a fool of himself on “The Pat McAfee Show” this week, accusing the New Orleans Saints of being, among other things, the worst pass defense in the NFL (they ranked second-best in yards per game, to be clear). And Saints fans have been letting him have it on social media.

And the noise is getting to him. Jones redoubled his efforts to ignore the facts and the stats from last season to rip on the Saints, sharing a video from his official Twitter account in which he failed to accurately read the final score and identify the winner from several games in 2022.

“Let’s just look at this, y’all allowed 27 points against the Falcons, who was a subpar team,” Jones began, misreading the score from the Saints’ season-opening 27-26 win in Atlanta. He continued down the list, continuing to get scores wrong: “The Seahawks, you allowed 39 points. The Bengals, you allowed 30 points. To Arizona, you allowed 42 points. Let’s keep going, since you want to talk (expletive) about what I’m talking about.”

The Saints were the team that scored 39 points in their 39-32 win over Seattle. 12 of the Cardinals’ points in that game were scored on defensive interception returns, not their offense. Cincinnati averaged 26 points per game and was a Super Bowl contender who made it to the AFC title game. What does he think that proves?

“Y’all beat the Raiders, good, the whole organization got (expletive) fired,” Jones scoffed, apparently confusing the organizational turnover in Las Vegas from 2022 as something that happened after that game.

Former players can offer insight that no one else is positioned to match when it comes to talking about the NFL. But that isn’t what Jones is doing here. He’s just wrong and loud and misinforming fans. It’s a shame because someone with his platform could do a lot better than this. Maybe he’ll get something right next time.

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Adam Jones drops the ball in mistake-filled Saints rant on Pat McAfee Show

Former NFL corner Adam Jones embarrassed himself on the Pat McAfee Show in an expletive- and error-filled Saints rant, getting all sorts of stats wrong along the way:

Yikes, Adam Jones. The former NFL cornerback has been trying to make a second career in the media, but appearances like his mistake-filled rant against the New Orleans Saints on the Pat McAfee Show isn’t going to look great on his resume.

At first, Jones took aim at Derek Carr’s fit in the offense, which is fair. The Saints are high on Carr but until he actually does it, it’s all a projection. They guaranteed a ton of money to Carr in hopes he can get their offense on track, but Jones says he needs to see it to believe it’s worthwhile.

“Who the hell knows what this guy’s going to do? We don’t even know what the Saints are going to do. We know what happened (in Las Vegas),” Jones began.

The conversation shifted to the Saints defense, with McAfee and his co-hosts listing the many veteran starters New Orleans will lean on, like Cameron Jordan, Tyrann Mathieu, Demario Davis, and Marshon Lattimore. Their defense has been the strength of the team for years, with the Saints continually stacking talented young cornerbacks like Alontae Taylor and Paulson Adebo behind veterans Lattimore and Bradley Roby.

“Yeah, right,” Jones scoffed. “The Saints (expletive) corners (expletive) suck. They gave up more yards than any other NFL team this year. I don’t know what y’all are talking about. Have y’all seen the Saints? Have y’all forgot?”

Jones is right about one thing — he doesn’t know what they’re talking about. McAfee and his team were on one planet, and Jones was somewhere else in a galaxy far, far away. But he doubled down, laughing and lying: “They was allowing like 330 (yards) a game. It was 7-on-7 with the Saints last year.”

It’s embarrassing to see someone get on a national platform and drop the ball like this. The Saints defense yielded 184.4 passing yards per game in 2022, second-best around the league. They didn’t allow 300 or more yards in a single game at all throughout the season (the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came closest with 274 yards in Week 13). You have to go all the way back to 2012 to find a Saints defense that comes close to what Jones is accusing, and even then they were giving up just 292 yards a game.

We’ll be generous and assume that, maybe, Jones meant total defensive yards allowed per game — in which the Saints allowed 314 yards each week. But that’s the sixth-best mark around the league in 2022. Instead of offering smart and informed analysis, he chose to be loud and wrong, and everyone tuning in is worse off for it.

Jones just made this bad take up out of thin air and floated it to an audience of millions of listeners. Either Jones needs to do his homework before he gets in front of another microphone, or else McAfee needs to do a better job preparing his guests before giving them a platform.

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