2023 NFL Season Preview
Predicting Each Team's Fate for This Season
A little change of pace is in order. This past Thursday, the 2023 NFL season kicked off with the Detroit Lions beating the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs are seeking to become the first team to win back-to-back Super Bowls since the 2004-05 New England Patriots and are trying to win a third Lombardi trophy in five years. It’s a tough challenge and Thursday’s game showed the value of their Canton-bound TE Travis Kelce to that pursuit.
In this piece, I will predict each division and map out the playoffs all the way to February’s Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. I’m keeping my predictions intact despite the Lions win over the Chiefs.
AFC East
1) Buffalo Bills (Predicted Record: 11-6)
2) New York Jets (Predicted Record: 11-6)
3) Miami Dolphins (Predicted Record: 8-9)
4) New England Patriots (Predicted Record: 6-11)
The Bills are seeking their fourth consecutive AFC East crown and face the stiffest challenge to winning the division to date with the emergence of Aaron Rodgers leading the New York Jets this season. Add to that, the Dolphins remain a challenge with their top-tier offense. I think the Dolphins take a step back though as their defense is not as strong as the Jets’ or the Bills’. The Jets will have the division’s best defense and a quarterback upgrade in Rodgers. But Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, and Dawson Knox power one of the league’s top offenses to emerge as the division winner again, winning slightly over the Jets who also get to the postseason for the first time in over a decade. The Bill Belichick era may be on its last legs in Foxboro as the Patriots just don’t have the talent to compete in this division.
AFC North
1) Baltimore Ravens (Predicted Record: 13-4)
2) Cincinnati Bengals (Predicted Record: 12-5)
3) Pittsburgh Steelers (Predicted Record: 8-9)
4) Cleveland Browns (Predicted Record: 6-11)
The Cincinnati Bengals are seeking a third straight AFC North title powered by the talented trio of Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. The Bengals were so close to a second straight Super Bowl appearance last season. Many consider them the favorite in the division but 2023 can surprise. I’m admittedly biased toward the Ravens, but their offseason moves have put them into contention for the division crown. They re-signed Lamar Jackson and built a WR core that can be a better set of weapons for Jackson to utilize. Zay Flowers, Odell Beckham Jr., and a new offensive coordinator help the Ravens offense tremendously. Their defense remains one of the league’s best. I expect a close battle for first between these two teams. The Steelers’ defense helps give them a respectable but still losing record. The Browns’ talent is suspect and they remain the same subpar team of 2022. The Ravens win the division and the Bengals earn a third straight playoff appearance in a wild-card spot.
AFC South
1) Jacksonville Jaguars (Predicted Record: 13-4)
2) Tennessee Titans (Predicted Record: 6-11)
3) Indianapolis Colts (Predicted Record: 5-12)
4) Houston Texans (Predicted Record: 3-14)
The Jacksonville Jaguars had a hot streak late last year to win the AFC South en route to an appearance in the Divisional Round. The offense led by Trevor Lawrence remains solid and I expect them to dominate a division that is otherwise very weak. But Jacksonville will be one of the best in the AFC. The Titans still have Derrick Henry and added DeAndre Hopkins. But I can’t see Ryan Tannehill bringing this team many wins. Rookie QBs for the Colts and Texans don’t add up to much success for those two teams. The Ravens-Jags SNF game in mid-December may determine the 2 seed in the AFC (I believe the Ravens prevail in a close game there). But the Jags are a team to watch as a surprise pick for AFC Champion.
AFC West
1) Kansas City Chiefs (Predicted Record: 14-3)
2) Denver Broncos (Predicted Record: 11-6)
3) Los Angeles Chargers (Predicted Record: 10-7)
4) Las Vegas Raiders (Predicted Record: 6-11)
The defending champs are looking for a third Lombardi Trophy in the past five years and an eighth straight AFC West crown. Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and Travis Kelce are all Canton-bound, and they’re hard to bet against. And I won’t here. The Chiefs will win the AFC West and secure the top seed in the AFC, though their loss to Detroit showed how much they need Kelce. Second place is more uncertain. But I see Russell Wilson doing much better under Sean Payton. Denver’s defense is capable of winning big games for the Broncos. They edge out a very solid team in the Chargers to earn a playoff spot for the first time in eight years. Justin Herbert is a star talent but I think the better defense wins the day. I’m not confident that Jimmy Garoppolo adds much to the Raiders offensively. They compete but still lack the talent to win most of their games.
NFC East
1) Philadelphia Eagles (Predicted Record: 13-4)
2) Dallas Cowboys (Predicted Record: 11-6)
3) Washington Commanders (Predicted Record: 8-9)
4) New York Giants (Predicted Record: 7-10)
The Philadelphia Eagles are looking to head back to the Super Bowl this February. Traditionally, losers of Super Bowls take a dip the next season. But the Eagles look strong again, beefing up their offensive line to protect Jalen Hurts. I think the Eagles remain the best team on both sides of the ball in the NFC East and win the division again. The Dallas Cowboys have a lot of skill as well but I don’t think are as good as Philly offensively. They get a wild card spot again though. The Commanders may end up better than I’m predicting, but I’m not confident in Sam Howell leading them to the playoffs. The Giants miss the playoffs this year, but I can also see them outperforming my prediction for them. I just don’t see lightning striking twice for them.
NFC North
1) Detroit Lions (Predicted Record: 11-6)
2) Minnesota Vikings (Predicted Record: 9-8)
3) Green Bay Packers (Predicted Record: 8-9)
4) Chicago Bears (Predicted Record: 8-9)
On paper, the Detroit Lions look poised to do something they haven’t done in ages: win their division. With Aaron Rodgers leaving Green Bay, the Packers will take a step back. Jordan Love could make things interesting but I see the Packers struggling to even get to eight wins. The Vikings won the North last year but were bounced in the first round of the playoffs. Justin Jefferson is a top talent but I don’t see Kirk Cousins being the QB they need to help Minnesota win the division again. The Bears’ QB Justin Fields is hard to predict, but I don’t see the talent being there for Chicago to win the North. The Lions will win the division due to their strong defense and good play from Jared Goff. The Vikings sneak in as a wild card.
NFC South
1) New Orleans Saints (Predicted Record: 10-7)
2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Predicted Record: 5-12)
3) Atlanta Falcons (Predicted Record: 5-12)
4) Carolina Panthers (Predicted Record: 3-14)
The NFC South is legitimately not good. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the division last year at 8-9. The Saints picked up Derek Carr and, compared to the other three teams, have the best talent. The Bucs will finish in second and could do better than 5-12, with Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans having good performances. The Falcons won’t do anything special. And the Panthers have a rookie QB in Bryce Young and not much else to help him. I think Carr returns to the playoffs as New Orleans captures the NFC South.
NFC West
1) San Francisco 49ers (Predicted Record: 15-2)
2) Seattle Seahawks (Predicted Record: 10-7)
3) Los Angeles Rams (Predicted Record: 4-13)
4) Arizona Cardinals (Predicted Record: 2-15)
The 49ers are a clear and obvious choice to win the NFC West. They have the top defense in the league and Christian McCaffrey on offense. Can QB Brock Purdy capture lightning in the bottle again? I think he will. But the defense alone brings them the West crown. The Seahawks were a bit of a surprise last year and remain decent. They get in as a wild-card team. The Rams are a long way off from their Super Bowl win two seasons ago. They don’t do well here. And the Kyler Murray-less Cardinals do not look good at all. The 49ers win the NFC West and secure the top seed in the NFC.
Playoff Seeding
AFC:
1) Kansas City Chiefs
2) Baltimore Ravens
3) Jacksonville Jaguars
4) Buffalo Bills
5) Cincinnati Bengals
6) New York Jets
7) Denver Broncos
NFC:
1) San Francisco 49ers
2) Philadelphia Eagles
3) Detroit Lions
4) New Orleans Saints
5) Dallas Cowboys
6) Seattle Seahawks
7) Minnesota Vikings
Wild Card Round:
AFC
Cincinnati Bengals defeat Buffalo Bills
The Bengals seem to have the Bills’ number and that continues here. The Bengals win 27-17 over the Bills.
Jacksonville Jaguars defeat New York Jets
This is a matchup of a great offense versus a great defense. The Jets hold the Jaguars to less than 20 points but Lawrence outduels Rodgers en route to a 17-13 win.
Baltimore Ravens defeat Denver Broncos
The Ravens’ offensive star power is challenged by the Broncos’ strong defense. But the offense doesn’t perform well for Denver, allowing the Ravens to win the game 24-10.
NFC
Dallas Cowboys defeat New Orleans Saints
The Cowboys are once again facing off against a fairly weak NFC South champion in the Wild Card Round. And I think the Dallas star power on both sides of the ball is too much for the Saints. Dallas beats New Orleans 30-17.
Detroit Lions defeat Seattle Seahawks
The Lions being at home is a help here as Seattle is a tough environment. The Lions win a close one to pick up their first playoff win since the George HW Bush presidency. Detroit beats Seattle 24-21.
Philadelphia Eagles defeat Minnesota Vikings
The Eagles have had the Vikings’ number in recent years. And Philadelphia’s talent is just too much for Minnesota here. Philadelphia advances with a 31-10 win.
Divisional Round:
AFC
Kansas City Chiefs defeat Cincinnati Bengals
In a rematch of the last two AFC Championship games, I think we see a similar competitive game. Both teams are pretty evenly matched offensively but I think the KC defense makes the difference. Kansas City once again advances to the AFC Championship with a 27-24 win over the Bengals.
Baltimore Ravens defeat Jacksonville Jaguars
In my prediction, the Ravens defeat the Jaguars in the regular season to win the 2 seed and thus, a home game here. I predict an incredibly close game between two solid offenses. But the Ravens’ defense decides the game. Baltimore advances to their first AFC Title game since 2013 with a 28-24 win over Jacksonville.
NFC
San Francisco 49ers defeat Dallas Cowboys
In a rematch from last year’s Divisional Round, the Cowboys face the 49ers. And the result I think will be the same. The Cowboys offense is stellar but the 49ers defense is just too much for Dallas here. San Francisco advances to their third straight NFC Title game with a 26-14 win over Dallas.
Philadelphia Eagles defeat Detroit Lions
The Eagles’ balance on both sides of the ball is tough for most opponents to overcome. The Lions will put up a good fight here though and keep it close with strong defensive play. But Philadelphia gets back to the NFC Championship with a 24-17 victory over Detroit.
AFC Championship
Kansas City Chiefs defeat Baltimore Ravens
The Chiefs, as long as Mahomes and Kelce are healthy and on fire, are incredibly difficult to beat in the big games. The Ravens’ offense gives them a chance to put up a good amount of points on the Chiefs’ defense. But KC’s high-powered offense ultimately tires out Baltimore’s strong defense. The Chiefs punch their ticket to Vegas with a 27-23 win over the Ravens.
NFC Championship
San Francisco 49ers defeat Philadelphia Eagles
In a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship game, the 49ers look to flip the script on Philly. In last year’s game, there was no Brock Purdy which inhibited the 49ers offense. With Purdy leading the Niners, they make this a competitive game. The Eagles keep it close but the 49ers’ elite defense makes a big play to get the win. San Francisco gets back to the Super Bowl with a 23-21 win over Philadelphia.
Super Bowl LVIII
Kansas City Chiefs defeat San Francisco 49ers
In a rematch of Super Bowl 54, it’s the Chiefs and their high-class offense versus the 49ers and their league-best defense. Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey keep the Chiefs defense on its heels but Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce seem to always have an answer. In a game that comes down to the last play, the Chiefs ultimately prevail to win back-to-back Super Bowls. Kansas City defeats San Francisco by a score of 28-26.