The 2021/22 NFL regular season is now complete, and one of the things which stood out during the campaign, was how a number of top players were able to make successful comebacks to the sport.
Returning after a long injury is not easy in the NFL. The intensity in which games are played at from week one means that if a player is not 100% fit and recovered, they could easily return to the treatment room for a long period.
Here is a look at who impressed last season and what they have achieved for their respective teams.
Dak Prescott
In 2020, Dak Prescott got off to a flying start to the season. He was on course to smash numerous NFL records, including the most passing yards in a campaign. However, he then broke his right ankle in week five in a game against the New York Giants.
Prescott picked up from where he left off when he returned in 2021. He broke the Dallas Cowboys franchise record for the most touchdown passes in a regular season, finishing with 37. The former Offensive Rookie of the Year had 410 completed passes, which ensured he ended the campaign with a career-best completion rate of 68.7.
The QB finished the regular season with five touchdown passes in Dallas Cowboys’ victory over divisional rivals Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. It was just the 11th time a Dallas player had scored five touchdown passes in one NFL game.
The season could get better for Prescott as the Cowboys go into the playoffs as strong contenders to go all the way. As of January 12, Dallas are +1000 in the sports betting Betway odds for the Super Bowl, making them the seventh-favorite.
Joe Burrow
In what is just his second season in the NFL, Joe Burrow has led the Cincinnati Bengals into the NFL playoffs. It is the first time since the 2015 campaign that the AFC North team will be playing past the regular season.
Burrow showed a lot of promise in his rookie season where he held the pressure of being the first overall pick. Unfortunately for the 2019 Heisman Trophy winner, he tore his ACL and MCL in his left knee in week 11 which ended his year.
In 2021 Burrow threw 34 touchdown passes, he finished with 4,611 passing yards and he had a completion rate of 70.4. As impressive as those numbers were, arguably his biggest success was ensuring the Bengals finished with a 10-6 record through their 16 games. There were impressive wins over the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers.
On the evidence of what he has shown in his second season in the league, Burrow is going to be one of the leading QBs in the league for many years to come.
Nick Bosa
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year at the 2020 NFL Honors. A lot was expected from him in 2020, however, his season lasted just two games. Bosa tore an ACL in the second week against the New York Giants, in what was a huge blow to him and his franchise.
This season has been a much healthier one for the DE. He played 14 of the 16 regular-season games. The 49ers man recorded 15.5 sacks, made 43 solo tackles, and was responsible for four forced fumbles in an impressive year. His sacks tally was the fifth highest in the history of the franchise.
Bosa has proved that his rookie campaign was no fluke, and along with Cowboys rookie linebacker Micah Parsons, he has been one of the standout defensive players in the 2021/22 campaign.
The 24-year-old helped his side secure a playoff spot this season following a victory over the Los Angeles Rams in week 18. His side are one of the wildcard teams and will face the Dallas Cowboys at the AT&T Stadium in a repeat of the 1994 NFC Championship Game.
The teams who were fortunate to qualify for the playoffs this season will be hoping they are able to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy at the Super Bowl on February 13.