5 NFL teams whose playoffs dreams are all but over in 2022

Las Vegas Raiders v Denver Broncos
Las Vegas Raiders v Denver Broncos

#3 - Las Vegas Raiders

Las Vegas Raiders v Denver Broncos
Las Vegas Raiders v Denver Broncos

Like the Denver Broncos, the Las Vegas Raiders are buried at the bottom of the AFC West, looking out of the playoff hunt for 2022.

Derek Carr teamed up with his old college teammate in the offseason when the Raiders traded for Davante Adams. While that has worked out so far, the team haven’t been able to find a way to win.

They sit at 3-7, having picked up their third win of the year in an overtime win over Denver in Week 11.

The injury bug hasn’t been kind to them, however. Las Vegas have lost Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller to season-ending injuries.

#2 - Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears v Atlanta Falcons
Chicago Bears v Atlanta Falcons

The Chicago Bears are almost certainly out of playoff contention despite the excellent form of quarterback Justin Fields.

Fields has established himself as an elite rusher at quarterback, rushing for the most yards by a quarterback over a five-game stretch during the Super Bowl era.

Despite this, the Bears are unable to stop anyone on defense, giving up 274 points on the year, a score only worsened by the Detroit Lions. As long as the Bears defense remains this poor, they won’t get a sniff of the NFL playoffs.

#1 - Pittsburgh Steelers

Cincinnati Bengals v Pittsburgh Steelers
Cincinnati Bengals v Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are another team whose playoff dreams are over for 2022. 11 weeks later, they sit dead last in the AFC North at 3-7.

Led by rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett, who took over from Mitch Trubisky, the Steelers have struggled on offense all season, scoring just 170 points in their 10 outings. This is the fourth-worst mark in the league and something they’ll have to figure out if they’re going to make a playoff push in 2023.

However, their hopes for the 2022 playoffs are surely over as the division-leading Baltimore Ravens are four games ahead at 7-3.

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