BY RALPH VENTRE
The agonizing wait is over.
The Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills will kick off the 2022 National Football League season on Thursday, September 8.
The latest Talking Pigskin Top 10 Power Poll suggests that these two teams could meet again in the season’s final game on February 12.
Outside Looking In
Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans
FROM 10 to 1…
No. 10 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
With former NFL MVP Matt Ryan presumably stabilizing the quarterback position, the Colts are the favorite to dethrone Tennessee for the AFC South title.
Indianapolis has a formidable defense, a proven head coach and an MVP candidate at running back, but how much does Ryan have left in the tank?
No. 9 LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
The Raiders were a playoff team in 2021 prior to the additions of All-Pro receiver Davante Adams and stud pass rusher Chandler Jones.
With a capable Derek Carr at the controls, Las Vegas has what it takes to return to the postseason despite the challenging terrain of the AFC West. The expectations will be high in Josh McDaniels’ first season as head coach.
No. 8 BALTIMORE RAVENS
After missing out on the playoffs last year, Baltimore appears poised for a bounce back under John Harbaugh.
With a ton of money at stake, Lamar Jackson is betting on himself and the motivated quarterback may be headed for another MVP caliber season.
No. 7 CINCINNATI BENGALS
The Bengals have finally found a franchise quarterback in Joe Burrow, but the reigning AFC Champions have some holes on the roster.
The Bengals, who featured a middle-of-the-pack defense, could be in for a slight regression in 2022, but they have more than enough offensive firepower to remain a contender.
No. 6 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
San Francisco features one of the deepest rosters in the NFL, but handing the Ferrari keys to a young untested quarterback is cause for some concern.
With Jimmy Garropolo lurking on the sideline, Trey Lance will face pressure to perform from the get-go. The former North Dakota State star certainly possesses the physical tools to win at the NFL level, but championship quarterbacks don’t usually develop overnight.
No. 5 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
With Bruce Arians gone, it’s officially “TOM-PA Bay.”
All indicators point to Tom Brady calling his own shots with former defensive coordinator Todd Bowles acting as the head coach. The Buccaneers, who were dethroned in the 2021 NFL Divisional Round by the eventual Super Bowl champions, have the personnel to make another run at the Lombardi Trophy, but they’ll only go as far as the aging G.O.A.T. can take them.
No. 4 GREEN BAY PACKERS
If any quarterback can endure losing a top target like Davante Adams, it’s reigning two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers.
The Packers posted 13 victories each of the past two seasons, and with Rodgers running the show again, they will still find ways to move the chains and win games. On a side note, the potential is there for a Sammy Watkins revival. The former top-five draft pick is listed as a starting receiver alongside Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb.
Green Bay boasted a top-10 defense in 2021 and, with free agent DT Jarran Reed (Chiefs) added to the mix, the Pack should once again be strong on that side of the ball.
No. 3 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Tyreek Hill is gone, the defense is vulnerable, and the AFC West may be the toughest division in the NFL.
Despite all that chatter, Kansas City will remain a serious contender as long as Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are around. They will need to adapt, but the championship potential is still there.
It’s hard to expect a significant drop-off for the Chiefs when they have hosted the AFC Championship Game each of the past four seasons.
No. 2 BUFFALO BILLS
Following free agency and the NFL Draft, the Bills boast what is likely the most-complete roster from Players 1 through 53. There wasn’t even enough room for former first-round draft picks O.J. Howard and Tavon Austin, who were released during the preseason.
Buffalo has one of the most-exciting stars in pro sports as its starting quarterback and the front office added reinforcements to a defense that ranked atop the NFL leader board last season. Josh Allen will have to adjust to a new offensive play caller as Ken Dorsey steps in for Brian Daboll, but a smooth transition is expected.
They still need to prove that they can beat the Chiefs in a playoff game, but 2022 may finally be the year the Bills go all the way.
No. 1 LOS ANGELES RAMS
I think the Buffalo Bills are the NFL’s best team “on paper,” but one must still respect the reigning Super Bowl champions even with Von Miller trading places.
The Rams return their head coach (Sean McVay), starting quarterback (Matthew Stafford) and the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year (Cooper Kupp). Meanwhile, former three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald is still performing at an All-Pro level. Those pieces alone should be enough to justify the Rams’ No. 1 ranking.
TALKING PIGSKIN 
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