Lots of changes have been made around the NFL going into this season. Lot of new faces in new places. Derek Carr (New Orleans), Andy Dalton (Carolina), Jimmy Garoppolo (Las Vegas), Baker Mayfield (Los Angeles Rams to Tampa Bay), Dalvin Cook (Jets), Ezekiel Elliott (New England), Melvin Gordon (Baltimore), David Montgomery (Detroit), Miles Sanders (Philadelphia to Carolina), Devin Singletary (Houston), DeAndre Hopkins (Tennessee), Allen Lazard (Jets), Jakobi Meyers (Las Vegas), JuJu Smith-Schuster (New England), Adam Thielen (Carolina) all are on the move.
Lets not waste any more time, here's now we see the 2023 season going.
NFC:
NFC East:
1. Philadelphia Eagles (12-5)*
2. Dallas Cowboys (11-6) (WC)*
3. New York Giants (9-8)
4. Washington Commanders (7-10)
Coming off the NFC title last year, the Eagles are looking to repeat and with Jalen Hurts playing as well as he did, the Eagles have a chance to build on it from a year ago. They might take a step back with a little less talent on the club, but they still good enough to be the class of this division. Then we got the Cowboys, who made big changes at running back with Zeke gone and Pollard now the feature back. Throw in Cooks playing with a healthy Gallup and Dallas has serious weapons. Add the improved defense with Stephon Gillmore, Dallas is gonna be really good. Now with the Giants, there's quite a bit of intrigue there. Jones and Barkley are looking to build off solid years last year. Now adding Waller in at tight end to go with Slayton and Shepard as targets in the pass game, it helps the Giants out just that much more. They got a good front four but the secondary leaves me wondering a little bit. Of Course, we got the Commanders rounding out this division. In a tough division such as this one, having a guy like Sam Howell, no disrespect, as your starting quarterback is going to make it very hard to be able to compete. Sure he got Robinson running the ball, and McLaurin to throw to. But there's not much to work with in Washington
NFC North:
1. Detroit Lions (11-6)*
2. Minnesota Vikings (10-7) (WC)*
3. Green Bay Packers (9-8)
4. Chicago Bears (7-10)
For the first time since 1993, the Lions will claim a division title. No, that isn't a typo, you are reading that correctly, Detroit has the horses to be able to claim the division this year. On Defense, they have a good one being led by Buggs and Huchinson up front. On the other side of the ball, Geoff has weapons to work with in the form of St Brown catching passes and solid running attack with Gibbs and Montgomery. This team is going to be good. Having won the division last year, this year is going to be a slight step backwards for the Vikings, but not by much. Kirk Cousins is going to have another solid year. He's got one of the best receivers in the game to throw to in Justin Jefferson. They got the firepower. The only thing that's going to hold the Vikings back from repeating what they did last year is that defense, which isn't quite as experienced or talented as it should be. Heading over to the Packers, this is the first time they haven't had either Farve or Rogers under center since 1991. And it feels weird picking against Green Bay to be a playoff team. They have an elite defense and a good offensive line. There's still some weapons to work with on the offense, but really it all comes down to Jordan Love and if he's truly ready to become the man in Green Bay. Finally, there's the Bears bringing up the rear. Chicago flopped badly last year, to the tune of only three wins. They helped improve some of the weapons around Justin Fields, which will add a couple of wins to their total from last season. But the defense isn't very competative and will be holding the Bears back for some time.
NFC South:
1. Carolina Panthers (9-8)*
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9)
3. New Orleans Saints (7-10)
4. Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
Having not had a winning season since 2017 and not winning a division title since 2015, this is the year both change for the Panthers. Frank Reich has a new toy to play with under center in Bryce Young. He's got Thielen and Chark to throw to. They have Miles Sanders running the ball and a solid offensive line. There's also the potential there for this to be a top fifteen defense in the league this year. Carolina has some hope. There is hope, but its fading, around the Buccaneers this season. On offense, no Gage due to injury early in camp. Still have Evans and Godwin and a pretty good runner in Rachaad White. Baker is under center, which has me and some others worried, given his past track record of winning games in this league outside of one good year in Cleveland. From the linebackers back, the Bucs have the talent to be a top five defense, but its their front four that lack something. Could be an average year at best for Tampa. Then we move over to the Saints, who will have another year of taking steps back. No real faith in Carr leading this team, and they going to be without their best offensive player in Kamara at the start of the season due to suspension. They have Olave and Thomas in the pass game, which is going to be a big help. But there seems like there is going to be a regression on the defensive side of the football. Finally, we have the Falcons, who have one of the worse defensive units in the league. There is a little hope on offense with Landon, Hollis and Pitts, but there's questions under center. Desmond Ridder can only grow from here as a starter, but there isn't much to build off of right now.
NFC West:
1. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)*
2. Seattle Seahawks (11-6) (WC)*
3. Los Angeles Rams (9-8)
4. Arizona Cardinals (4-13)
If you want to go through the West, it has to go through the 49ers once again. They have a fantastic defense under Steve Wilks and when Nick Bosa is good to go, he's good to go. As for the offense, it doesn't matter if its Brock Purdy or somebody else, this offense is going to be very tough to handle. The NFC West crown goes through San Francisco once again. The talent is there to go on a deep run, just it depends on how the QB play holds up. Looking at the Seahawks, they are hoping for another big year from Geno Smith under center. he's got one of the best one two punches in the game to toss to in Lockett and Metcalf. Walker is going to be a solid back making the Seattle offense one of the potent in the league. The defense can hang with anybody, but where they fall just a bit short is they aren't quite on the level of San Fran. Then there's the Rams, who are hoping that Cooper Kupp can return to pre injury form. Him and Cam Akers running the ball may make them a threat but there still quite a few holes on this team that aren't going to overcome the two teams above them on this list here. To say that the Cardinals are going to have a bad year this year is going to be an understatement. Kyler Murray's last year in Arizona is going to be a long one and if he can make it out of this season healthy, then he's had a good year. There's not much in the way of weapons around him and the team even said they are going to tank.
AFC:
AFC East
1. Buffalo Bills (12-5)*
2. New York Jets (11-6)(WC)*
3. Miami Dolphins (10-7)
4. New England Patriots (7-10)
Another year, another East division title for the Bills. It's starting to sound like a broken record but its true. With a team powered by Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs. Sure Allen was dealing with injuries during the second half of last season, but this team is loaded on the offensive side of the football and they can overcome it for the time. They also have themselves a solid run game with James Cook taking carries. On the other side of the ball if they can stay healthy, then Buffalo should take the division. They are going to have a stiff challenge this year in the division from the Jets. Last year, New York managed to go 7-10 with one of the crappiest QB situations in the entire league. Now they have Aaron Rogers in the mix, who even at an average level this year (by his standards) will improve this team. With a lot of reloaded weapons on this team on offense, a healthy Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook running, and a great defense, New York should be back in the playoffs this year. Now you have the Dolphins, who have been taking strides in the right direction over the past few seasons. The health of Tua will always be a question. if he can stay healthy, with Tyreek Hill catching passes and Morstat running the ball, this offense has a shot to be solid. There's potential to have a good defense and keep Miami in the hunt with New York and Buffalo. Finally there's the Patriots, who end up bringing up the rear in a very tough division. If Mac Jones and the passing attack is average, they can keep themselves in the race for a wild card spot. With Ju-Ju now catching passes for him its a bit of an added boost. It all comes down to if they can play above their weight. Same thing going for the defense.
AFC North:
1. Cincinnati Bengals (11-6)*
2. Baltimore Ravens (11-6)(WC)*
3. Cleveland Browns (10-7)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8)
Even though they're dealing with a slightly sore starting QB at the beginning of the year, there's still very high hopes for the Bengals this season. Even with Joe Burrow coming off a slight calf strain he should be good early in the season. He got a great running game with Mixon behind him and great weapons to throw to in Higgins, Chase and Boyd. Its an offense that could be one of the most explosive ever. The only thing really holding Cincinnati back is that defense. There's a few question marks there, but they are more than good enough to get them a division title. Right behind them are the Ravens, who have Lamar Jackson locked for at least one m ore year. Baring injury at the quarterback this could be a great team. The added Odell Beckham to an already high powered offense. Him, Flowers and Andrews catching passes is going to be good. They have the talent on Defense to be a good unit but the pass rush leads a little something to be desired. Next we got the Browns, who are relying on what happens with Deshaun Watson. If he appears to be an even decent quarterback, then Cleveland has a chance. The talent around him is there. Cooper, Moore, Chubb. He's got the playmakers, he just has to get the ball to them to make the plays. Finally, we have the Steelers, who haven't finished below .500 since 2003. They managed to keep that going last year with TJ Watt missing games and Kenny Pickett in his rookie year. Now Watt is healthy and Pickett has more playing time at this level under his belt. Najee Harris should be back to form running the ball and the defense has skill to it. Pittsburgh just has the bad luck of the draw playing in one of the toughest divisions in football.
AFC South:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars (11-6)*
2. Tennessee Titans (7-10)
3. Indianapolis Colts (6-11)
4. Houston Texans (4-13)
After struggling the four years prior, last year was a revival of sorts for the Jaguars, who made the playoffs and won the division. Tevor Lawrence has really started hitting his stride the last couple of seasons in Jacksonville. Plus getting rid of Urban Meyer was a huge help as well. But Lawrence has plenty of weapons to throw to in the pass game. He's got Ridley, Kirk and Jones running routes, making his life easier. And that defense is going to be good, like really good. They are going to be the only winning team in this division. The Titans are going to be the first one to bring up the losing rear. Maybe Tennessee finishing around .500 could be possible. it depends on if they can give Tannehill help. Henry and Hopkins are both expected to have big years, which will be a big help. It all depends on Tannehill and his ball control. That Titans defense looks average at best. As for the Colts, it depends on Anthony Richardson. He's going to have growing pains, but he's going to have help with Pitman making plays for him. Whats going to end up holding Indy back is going to be its inconsistency on the defensive side of the football. Bringing up the rear in this division is going to be the Texans, who will be lucky if they win four games this season. C.J Stroud is going to go through a big learning curve when he gets going at this level. Him and Will Anderson are going to have this year to prove that they could be cornerstones to really be able to build around. Even with the potential there, Houston still has one of the worst rosters in the league and will have another top five pick heading their way.
AFC West:
1. Kansas City Chiefs (12-5)*
2. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)(WC)*
3. Denver Broncos (8-9)
4. Las Vegas Raiders (5-12)
The Chiefs are the defending world champions. They are going to prove it again this year why they are the best team in the league. Mahomes and Kelce are the best at their positions and are going to have an improved backfield with Pacheco. They are going to have some weapons on that side of the ball get better. As will that young defense which is a scary thought. The only team that will really be challenging KC for the crown is going to be the Chargers, and why not. Herbert is expected to have another big year under center and he's got a ton of weapons and firepower to work with. Ekler behind him in the backfield and Allen and Williams to be able to throw to. Yikes that's going to be tough to defend against. The defense still needs some slight tweeks, but they are going to be good enough to make the playoffs. Now is where the drop of comes in from the West, starting with the Broncos. Five wins last year isn't good, and Russel Wilson had a bad year his first year in Denver. Now with Sean Petyon there, it will hopefully help get the team back on track and going in the right direction. Finally we got the Raiders, who are going to be a bad team. Carr is gone, but his replacement in Jimmy Garoppolo can't seem to stay healthy for any prolonged length of time. He got a good runner in Josh Jacobs and one of the best wide outs in Devante Adams catching passes but they could somehow get really luck and maybe hit the seven win mark
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