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Madden 23: Our 2022 NFL season sim and Super Bowl LVII prediction

By Matthew Liebl

TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers yells as he takes the field against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers yells as he takes the field against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Madden NFL 23: Our 2022 NFL season simulation
Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

AFC South

The AFC South is home to two of the best running backs in the league in Jonathan Taylor and Derrick Henry. If their respective teams are to have success this season, it’s going to be on the backs of these workhorses.

Indianapolis Colts (12-5)

Jonathan Taylor rushes for 1,800 yards and 17 touchdowns, which is quite similar to the stat line he produced in 2021. The big difference this year is the Colts now have Matt Ryan under center instead of Carson Wentz.

In his first season with the Colts, Ryan returned to form with 4,493 passing yards and 44 touchdowns (3rd in the league). The results are a 12-5 record and first place finish atop the AFC South for the Colts who enter the playoffs as the No. 2 seed.

Michael Pittman Jr. emerges as one of the league’s best receivers with 91 catches for 1,137 yards and a whopping 15 touchdowns. Keke Coutee adds another 1,013 yards and 11 touchdowns. On defense, safety Rodney McLeod Jr. is tied among league leaders for interceptions with 7.

Jacksonville Jaguars (10-7)

This is another surprise simulation result. While many of us are looking to see an improvement from the young and talented Jacksonville Jaguars, I think going from 3-14 to 10-7 (and making the playoffs as the No. 6 seed is a bit of a stretch.

Trevor Lawrence makes a tremendous leap from his rookie season, tossing 45 touchdowns (2nd most in the league) and just 14 interceptions. For comparison. Lawrence threw for just 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in his rookie year. I’m not saying it can’t happen, but I just don’t think it will.

Making his NFL debut, Travis Etienne Jr. rushes for 1,031 yards (4.2 ypc) and 9 touchdowns. Newcomer Christian Kirk lives up to his four-year, $72 million deal with 90 receptions for 1,211 yards and 11 touchdowns. After signing a one-year deal this offseason with the Jaguars, tight end Evan Engram bounces back in a big way with 111 receptions for 1,200 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Tennessee Titans (8-9)

Coming off three straight playoff appearances, the Titans appear to falter with an 8-9 record to finish third place in the AFC South.

The disappointment can’t be pinned on Derrick Henry who leads the league in rushing yards (1,928) and touchdowns (20). Even Rober Woods, coming off an ACL tear, puts together a solid season with 85 receptions for 1,429 yards and 12 touchdowns. That’s half the touchdowns thrown by Ryan Tannehill.

It’s a disappointing season for the Titans who continue to struggle in the passing game, as evidenced by Tannehill’s 3,826 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. It’s a serviceable stat line but the Titans need a  legitimate quarterback.

Houston Texans (5-12)

The Houston Texans were an absolute trainwreck in 2021 and they see a minor one-game improvement this season. Realistically, I don’t think anyone expects much from the Texans this season and that’s basically what Madden predicts.

Madden hadn’t quite gotten around to cutting Marlon Mack from the team so he was still the technical starter in the sim. But rookie Dameon Pierce carried the ball 81 times for 322 yards (4.0 ypc) and five touchdowns. So I guess that’s something for fans to look forward to.

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