The beginning of the 2023 NFL season is simply two days away, which suggests it is time to make some predictions.
One factor I’ve observed whereas making NFL predictions through the years is that half the explanation folks love studying predictions is in order that they will throw them again in your face on the finish of the season, however let me simply say, that is not an issue for me. I’ve a toddler, so I get issues thrown in my face on a regular basis.
When you do wish to make enjoyable of my predictions, you possibly can ship all of your hate tweets to me on Twitter by clicking here, and simply so you realize, Raiders followers, I am already mentally getting ready in your hate tweets.
Earlier than we get to my predictions, let me clarify how issues are going to work right here: I’ll undergo every division and predict every group’s ultimate report. After that, I will be making a daring prediction for every division.
When you roll by way of the divisional portion of those predictions, you will see my playoff picks and finally the group I am choosing to win the Super Bowl. In 4 of the previous eight years I’ve accurately picked the AFC group that ended up within the Tremendous Bowl, and in two of the previous seven years my preseason Tremendous Bowl decide has ended up profitable all of it, so that you would possibly wish to scroll down and take a look at my prediction for the Tremendous Bowl to see if I am choosing your favourite group. That being stated, I may also be an enormous jinx as a result of final yr I picked the Broncos to win all of it. That decide was so dangerous that the NFL virtually banned me from making predictions this yr.
Lastly, in the event you’re questioning how I did final season, I picked the precise report or got here inside one win of choosing the precise report of 9 completely different groups, together with the Dolphins, who I stated would go 9-8. However, I fully whiffed on the Giants. I had them going 5-12 and in the event you watched any soccer in 2022, then you definately already know that the Giants did not go 5-12. With a first-year coach, they ended up going 9-7-1 and making the playoffs. I really feel so dangerous about whiffing on them final yr that I’ll make it as much as them by choosing them to win the NFC East this yr…. or possibly I will not. I do not know, I am undecided but.
You do not care about final yr although, so let’s get to the 2023 predictions.
AFC East
1. *Payments: 11-6
2. *Jets: 11-6
3. Patriots: 10-7
4. Dolphins: 9-8
AFC East daring prediction: Dolphins end in final place
Let me begin off right here by saying that I truly just like the Dolphins, I identical to everybody within the AFC East just a little bit extra. My greatest downside with the Dolphins is that I believe there is a good probability they might stumble out of the gate. Earlier than they get to their Week 9 bye, they need to face the Chargers, Patriots, Payments, Giants and each Tremendous Bowl groups from final yr. Additionally, I am going to must see Tua Tagovailoa keep wholesome for a complete season earlier than I begin believing that he can truly keep wholesome for a complete season.
AFC North
1. *Bengals: 12-5
2. *Ravens: 11-6
3. *Browns: 10-7
4. Steelers: 9-8
AFC North daring prediction: Each group within the division finishes above .500
The AFC North is so loaded this yr that the complete division may find yourself making NFL historical past. For the reason that NFL-AFL merger in 1970, there has NEVER been a season the place each single group in a division completed with a profitable report. There have been a number of seasons the place the final place group completed 8-8 (that almost all lately occurred final yr within the NFC East), however there’s by no means been an occasion the place each group completed ABOVE .500. With Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson at quarterback, plus a reloaded Steelers group, it is onerous to think about any group on this division ending the yr with a dropping report (Observe: I am additionally choosing each AFC East group to complete with a profitable report, which I suppose is additional daring since since this has by no means occurred in NFL historical past and I am predicting it to occur twice in a single yr).
AFC South
1. *Titans: 9-8
2. Jaguars: 8-9
3. Colts: 5-12
4. Texans: 4-13
AFC South daring prediction: Titans win the division
This isn’t a typo, I’m choosing the Titans to win the division. It is simple to overlook that the Titans actually got here one play away from profitable the division final yr.
That fumble was by a participant (Joshua Dobbs) who began that recreation though he had solely been on the roster for 10 days. I repeat: With the division title on the road in Week 18, the Titans virtually beat the Jaguars with a quarterback who had 10 days to study Tennessee’s offense.
Principally, the Titans virtually received the division final yr though that they had an injured quarterback (Ryan Tannehill) and no receivers. This yr, Tannehill is again they usually’ve made a significant improve at receiver by signing DeAndre Hopkins. That bumps Treylon Burks to the No. 2 slot, which ought to be higher for him. The Titans roster is barely higher than it was final yr and Tennessee has Mike Vrabel, who continues to be probably the most underrated coaches within the NFL.
Additionally, the Jaguars need to play the 49ers, Payments and Chiefs this yr whereas the Titans get to keep away from all three of these groups, and I believe that would find yourself taking part in an enormous consider who wins the division.
AFC West
1. *Chiefs: 12-5
2. Chargers: 9-8
3. Broncos: 8-9
4. Raiders: 6-11
AFC West daring prediction: Chargers miss the playoffs
For the reason that arrival of Brandon Staley in 2021, the Chargers have been on the cusp of greatness, however they have not fairly been capable of recover from the hump and I believe that is primarily as a result of somebody cursed this franchise to by no means recover from the hump. They’re the Sisyphus of NFL franchises. When you did not take a Greek mythology class in school, that is the man who rolls the ball up the hill however by no means truly makes it to the highest. That is the Chargers. They’re perpetually rolling the ball up the hill, solely to have it regularly roll over their hopes and desires on its method again down the hill. The final time we noticed them on the sector the Chargers had been blowing a 27-0 result in the Jaguars within the playoffs and I really feel like that loss may result in a hangover in 2023. Not a foul hangover, however simply nagging sufficient that they take loads of Advil and miss playoffs.
NFC East
1. *Cowboys: 12-5
2. *Eagles: 12-5
3. Giants: 8-9
4. Commanders: 7-10
NFC East daring prediction: Dak Prescott wins NFL MVP.
With CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks each within the fold, Dak Prescott lastly has two high receivers who can each put up massive numbers and in the event you mix that with the truth that the Cowboys working recreation is a big query mark this yr with Tony Pollard coming off a critical damage, I believe we may see a profession yr from Dak. The daring half right here is that I am choosing Dak to win MVP though he is coming off a yr the place he turned the primary participant in NFL historical past to guide the league in interceptions in a season the place he missed not less than 5 video games.
Final yr, I picked the Eagles to win the division and though I believe they will as soon as once more be good, I am rolling with the Cowboys this yr. That being stated, do not ship me any hate mail simply but Eagles followers, as a result of I do have your group advancing to the NFC title recreation for the second straight yr the place they lose to the… you realize what, I am not going to say. You are going to need to hold studying to seek out out.
NFC North
1. *Vikings: 9-8
2. *Lions: 9-8
3. Packers: 7-10
4. Bears: 6-11
NFC North daring prediction: Lions finish their 32-year drought with out a playoff win.
Though I am not choosing the Lions to win the division this yr, followers in Detroit may not hate me for that since I AM choosing the Lions to finish their 32-year drought with out a playoff win. For these of you who’ve misplaced monitor or weren’t born but, the Lions have not received a playoff recreation since January 1992 after they beat the Cowboys within the divisional spherical to advance to the NFC Championship for the primary and solely time in franchise historical past. I do not suppose they will be getting again to the NFC title recreation, however I do suppose we’ll see them pull off a wild-card win this yr.
NFC South
1. *Saints: 10-7
2. *Falcons: 9-8
3. Buccaneers: 7-10
4. Panthers: 6-11
NFC South daring prediction: Two groups make the playoffs
Most individuals expect the NFC South to be one of many worst divisions in soccer this yr, however I am not so certain that is going to be the case. In contrast to the AFC, the NFC is not precisely loaded with good groups, which is why I believe this division would possibly have the ability to sneak two groups into the playoffs. As “dangerous” as this division was final yr, each group nonetheless managed to win seven video games, which made it one in all solely two divisions within the NFC that pulled that off.
NFC West
1. *49ers: 12-5
2. Seahawks: 8-9
3. Rams: 5-12
4. Cardinals: 3-14
NFC West daring prediction: Seahawks tumble again to earth.
After watching the Seahawks make the playoffs final season, I am predicting that issues disintegrate this yr. I am not saying issues are going to fully disintegrate like they did for the Cardinals, who went from making the playoffs in 2021 to being one of many worst groups within the NFL final season, however I’m saying that I do not anticipate the Seahawks to get again to the playoffs. My greatest concern is Geno Smith and the truth that he began to fade down the stretch final season. Though Geno was spectacular early within the yr, I believe the Geno that we noticed throughout the second half of the 2022 season is the one we’ll see in 2023.
NFC Playoffs
Groups: 1. Cowboys 2. 49ers 3. Saints 4. Vikings 5. Eagles 6. Lions 7. Falcons
Wild Card
(2) 49ers 30-20 over (7) Falcons
(6) Lions 27-23 over (3) Saints
(5) Eagles 31-24 over (4) Vikings
Divisional
(5) Eagles 27-24 over (2) 49ers
(1) Cowboys 30-23 over (6) Lions
NFC Championship
(1) Cowboys 31-27 over (4) Eagles
AFC Playoffs
Groups: 1. Chiefs 2. Bengals 3. Payments 4. Titans 5. Ravens 6. Jets 7. Browns
Wild Card
(2) Bengals 27-20 over (7) Browns
(3) Payments 23-20 over (6) Jets
(5) Ravens 31-23 over (4) Titans
Divisional
(2) Bengals 27-24 over (3) Payments
(5) Ravens 34-31 over (1) Chiefs
AFC Championship
(2) Bengals 20-17 over (5) Ravens
Tremendous Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas (CBS)
Bengals 33-30 over Cowboys
Playoffs daring prediction: Bengals win their first Tremendous Bowl
If this Tremendous Bowl occurs, then you definately’ll know that the NFL is utilizing the script that I despatched in and I am guessing they’ll, as a result of I am undecided anybody may probably provide you with a greater script.
I do know that my bosses at CBS could be thrilled to see the Cowboys within the Tremendous Bowl. Placing America’s group on the NFL’s largest stage in a recreation that is being performed in Las Vegas would in all probability be the most-watched factor on tv for the reason that moon touchdown (Observe: I wasn’t truly alive for the moon touchdown, however I am guessing lots of people had been watching on TV).
After going 12-5 in every of the previous two seasons, I believe that is the yr the place the Cowboys lastly break by way of and finish their 28-year drought with out reaching the Tremendous Bowl. Sadly for the Cowboys, they are not truly going to win the Tremendous Bowl and that is as a result of this yr’s champion goes to be the Bengals.
That is the most effective roster that Joe Burrow has ever gotten to play with in Cincinnati. In 2021, he dragged the Bengals to the Tremendous Bowl whereas taking part in behind one of many worst offensive traces within the league (4 of the 5 starters from that yr are not NFL starters). In 2022, the Bengals had been one late penalty away from probably beating the Chiefs within the AFC title recreation for the second straight yr.
Because the resident Bengals homer right here at CBSSports.com, I’m tempted to select the Bengals to win the Tremendous Bowl yearly, however I by no means truly do it as a result of I do not wish to jinx them. Additionally, till this yr, I did not suppose it truly appeared like a sensible decide. This yr’s group is best than final yr’s group and it is higher than their 2021 group that made it to the Tremendous Bowl. So long as Joe Burrow stays wholesome, this feels prefer it may very well be Cincinnati’s yr.
If the Bengals win all of it, there is a good probability that everybody within the metropolis will rejoice by bathing in Skyline chili, so we should always all be rooting for them to win.
Lastly, if my season predictions all pan out — and I am certain they’ll — here is what the highest of the NFL draft order will appear to be subsequent April.
Order of first 5 picks for 2024 NFL Draft
1. Cardinals
2. Cardinals (by way of Texans)
3. Colts
4. Rams
5. Bears
That is proper, the Cardinals may find yourself with the primary two picks within the draft. Because of the Will Anderson commerce that allowed Houston to maneuver from No. 12 to No. 3 within the 2023 draft, the Cardinals now have the Texans’ first-round decide, so Arizona will certainly be rooting in opposition to Houston this yr.