Best NFL Football Games of 2022

By Jim Beviglia Published: Dec 20, 2022, Updated: Jan 05, 2024

In 2022, we’ve witnessed many wild and memorable moments in the NFL. The best players and teams repeatedly clashed in a battle for the Vince Lombardi trophy. We saw incredible comebacks and high-scoring affairs that kept us captivated.

This article includes my list of the best football games of 2022. I based my selections on the excitement and intensity of every matchup. I know my list is subjective, but I focused on games that were both entertaining and competitive.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Buffalo Bills

Date: November 13, 2022
Venue: Highmark Stadium
Winner: Minnesota Vikings
Score: 33-30

This matchup has “Game of the Year” written all over it. The Bills and Vikings were both super competitive against each other in week 10, but the final few minutes of the game were truly something else.

The Vikings had a chance to claim the lead but failed to score on a 4th and goal to erase a 17-point deficit. The Bills then got the ball back on their own 1-yard line and had a chance to end the game. That’s when utter chaos took over.

Buffalo mishandled the snap and fumbled the football. The Vikings’ defense would immediately capitalize by scoring on a 1-yard fumble return. This gave Minnesota a 30-27 lead with only 41 seconds left on the game clock.

QB Josh Allen would respond by orchestrating a five-play, 69-yard drive in 39 seconds. The Bills kicked a field goal and tied the game before the end of regulation. During the overtime, the Vikings got the ball first, and the offense engineered a drive that also resulted in a field goal.

The Bills had one last chance to score and potentially win this game. Allen and the offense wasted no time by marching down the field to Minnesota’s 20-yard line. However, a costly interception by Allen would ice the game and give Minnesota the victory.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers

Date: November 13, 2022
Venue: Lambeau Field
Winner: Green Bay Packers
Score: 28-31

This was also a wild one. The week 10 matchup between the Cowboys and Packers was easily one of the great 2022 NFL games. It also took an overtime period to decide the winner.

The Packers were in desperate need of a win after losing five games in a row. Nothing seemed to be clicking for reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers. However, the Packers displayed a lot of grit and determination against the Cowboys.

While trailing 28-14, Green Bay rallied by scoring two touchdowns. This sent the game into overtime, and that’s when things went from bad to worse for Dallas. The Cowboys had the first possession, advancing to the Packers’ 35-yard line before turning the ball over on downs.

The Packers would respond by marching down the field and advancing to the Cowboys’ 10-yard line. A game-winning field goal by Mason Crosby was enough to complete the comeback. Rookie WR Christian Watson would also finish the game with 107 yards and three TDs.

Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Date: November 28, 2022
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field
Winner: Philadelphia Eagles
Score: 33-40

This was also a game to remember. QB Jalen Hurts put on a one-man show and ran all over the Packers defense. He finished the game with 157 rushing yards and 153 passing yards to go along with two touchdowns. He had more rushing yards than the entire Green Bay offense.

This was also one of the best NFL football games of the year because it was an offensive battle from start to finish. Both teams combined for 842 total yards and nine touchdowns. There were only three punts throughout the entire match.

Hurts emerged as the frontrunner for NFL MVP after this game. He’s also the first player to have 150-plus yards rushing and 150-plus yards passing with multiple pass touchdowns in a game since 1950. His incredible performance also came against reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers.

Miami Dolphins vs. Baltimore Ravens

Date: September 18, 2022
Venue: M&T Bank Stadium
Winner: Miami Dolphins
Score: 42-38

It was a comeback for the ages. The Dolphins were somehow able to rally against the Ravens, capping off a miraculous performance with 34 points in the second half. Miami had 233 yards of offense during the fourth quarter alone, and the Dolphins were seemingly scoring at will.

Things would slip during the final 12 minutes of the game. It was a 21-point advantage that Baltimore completely botched. A well-rounded performance early on would turn into an utterly embarrassing defeat.

The Ravens’ defense just kept giving up big play after big play. QB Tua Tagovailoa had a clean pocket and was making quick work of Baltimore’s secondary. Miami’s receivers were also seemingly uncoverable during the fourth quarter.

This was also a historical performance for Miami’s offense. Tagovailoa set the single-game franchise record with 469 passing yards and six touchdown passes. Wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle both had at least 11 catches, 170 receiving yards, and two touchdowns.

Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Date: October 16, 2022
Venue: Arrowhead Stadium
Winner: Buffalo Bills
Score: 24-20

It was one of the best NFL games of 2022, involving two young superstar quarterbacks. The showdown between Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes in week 6 was also a rematch of the AFC Divisional round from last season (more on that later.)

The score was even at 17-17 heading into the fourth quarter. After the Bills failed to convert a fourth down, the Chiefs would capitalize by kicking a field goal to reclaim the lead. However, it wasn’t enough points for Kansas City to fend off and beat Buffalo.

The Bills got the ball with less than six minutes left to play in the game. Allen and the offense would then engineer a masterful touchdown drive. It culminated with an unbelievable catch by TE Dawson Knox down the sideline that put the Bills up 24-20.

HE REALLY DID IT AGAIN!!! #JoshAllenJumpingOverThings | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/xAJzm638Bc
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) October 17, 2022

The Chiefs got the ball back with one minute left and one last chance to reclaim the lead. However, Mahomes threw an interception on the very first play. Buffalo ultimately got their revenge after a disappointing loss to Kansas City in their previous meeting.

Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Date: January 23, 2022
Venue: Arrowhead Stadium
Winner: Kansas City Chiefs
Score: 42-36

The 2022 Divisional Round match between the Chiefs and Bills had everything. Big plays, plenty of touchdowns, and a quarterback duel for the history books. It was also a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship game, with the Bills seeking their revenge.

The match was fairly competitive during the first three quarters of the game. However, both offenses would explode in the fourth, scoring a combined 28 points. The final four drives of regulation resulted in three touchdowns and a field goal.

Bills vs. Chiefs was the most-watched NFL Divisional Playoff game in 5 years averaging 42.73 million viewers and peaking at 51.69 million
Nothing beats Football pic.twitter.com/JFPOFCOWwj
— PFF (@PFF) January 25, 2022

T the sequence that stands out to me was QB Patrick Mahomes’ heroic effort that sent the game into overtime. With 13 seconds remaining on the clock, the Chiefs were somehow able to remain alive. The offense drove the ball 44 yards and tied the game with a field goal.

The Chiefs would win the coin toss during the overtime period, electing to receive the ball first. The rest, as well all know, was history. Mahomes and the offense went to work and engineered a 75-yard drive. TE Travis Kelce would score the game-winning touchdown.

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Date: January 9, 2022
Venue: Allegiant Stadium
Winner: Las Vegas Raiders
Score: 32-35

During week 18 of last season, we witnessed this epic showdown. The Chargers and Raiders gave us one of the best NFL games of 2022. Both teams left everything on the field that day, and the intensity was palpable from start to finish.

There was also a lot at stake because the winner would make the playoffs. The Chargers were slight favorites, even though the Raiders had a home-field advantage. The game was back-and-forth during the first half, but Las Vegas would eventually pull ahead.

The score was 29-14 in favor of the Raiders, with less than nine minutes to play in the game. That’s when the Chargers rallied and scored 15 unanswered points. On the final drive, Los Angeles also had three successful fourth-down conversions, which doesn’t happen too often.

During the waning seconds of the game, a 12-yard touchdown pass by Justin Herbert sent it to overtime. Both teams would then exchange field goals, and it appeared that Las Vegas might settle for a tie. However, a 10-yard run by Josh Jacobs would set up the game-winning field goal.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams

Date: January 9, 2022
Venue: SoFi Stadium
Winner: San Francisco 49ers
Score: 27-24

This was another wild regular-season game with playoff implications. The 49ers desperately needed a win, and it all came down to a rivalry game against the Rams in week 18. Believe me; this match didn’t disappoint!

The Rams took an early lead, going up 17-0 by the second quarter. Things were looking grim for San Francisco, but a field goal at the end of the first half would spark a comeback. The 49ers scored 17 unanswered points and tied the game during the fourth quarter.

That’s when things got really hectic. The Rams put another score on the board, taking the lead with 2:29 remaining in the game. However, this didn’t deter the 49ers. QB Jimmy Garoppolo orchestrated an 88-yard touchdown drive that sent the game into overtime.

The 49ers got the ball first and were able to kick a field goal. Then, an interception by QB Matthew Stafford would seal the deal for San Francisco. However, the Rams would get the last laugh by defeating the 49ers in the NFC Championship game later that season.

Los Angeles Rams vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Date: January 23, 2022
Venue: Raymond James Stadium
Winner: Los Angeles Rams
Score: 30-27

The Rams were nearly one of the biggest victims of a Tom Brady comeback. Los Angeles held a 20-3 lead entering the half and would extend it to 27-3 in the third quarter. The Buccaneers, however, wouldn’t give up, and we saw one of the craziest football games of the year.

Tampa Bay would storm back and score 24 unanswered points, tying the game up with 42 seconds to play. However, the Buccaneers would ultimately fall short. A blown coverage and a 44-yard catch by Kooper Cupp would give the Rams a chance to win the game.

With six seconds remaining, Los Angeles would kick the go-ahead field goal. The Rams also ended the Buccaneers’ hopes of becoming repeat champions. Brady would then retire during the offseason, only to announce his return nearly two months later.

What Will 2023 Bring to the Table?

We all enjoyed watching the best football games of 2022, and I’m sure next year will bring a ton of great matchups as well.

There’s a way to make them even more exciting by placing real money wagers. Check out the top sports betting sites for great odds, promotions, and plenty of football gambling markets to choose from.