The NFL season is still a few months away. Let's take a look at making some bold predictions for each of the league's 32 teams.
We've officially hit a lull in the NFL offseason as we are past the NFL Draft and schedule release, leaving us with a roughly two-month dead zone until training camps open up. Most team's rosters are as close to finished as possible, outside of signing draft picks and adding secondary free agents, so we also have a pretty strong idea of what each team will look like if they stay healthy.
This time is a perfect one to go on the record and make some bold predictions for all 32 teams in the NFL. We'll go in alphabetical order, beginning with the Arizona Cardinals.
Arizona Cardinals' Bold Prediction – Kyler Murray doesn't play in 2023
ACL injuries aren't easy to come back from and Murray, who suffered his torn ACL in December, has made it clear he doesn't want to come back until he's 100 percent healthy. For a player who uses his mobility like Murray, it makes sense that he wants to fully trust his leg in order to get back on the field and play his game.
Early speculation has had Murray sidelined for over half the season, which is why Arizona drafted Clayton Tune to play behind Colt McCoy at the start of the year. The Cardinals figure to be a bad football team, however, and there is every chance that they have a 2-9 record by the time Murray is getting close to a return.
The reward of Murray playing simply wouldn't be worth the risk of him getting injured again, especially since Arizona has two shots at landing a top pick in a quarterback-rich class. Keeping Murray on ice would allow him to get fully healthy in the event the Cardinals move forward with him in 2024 or preserve his trade value in the event they want to draft Caleb Williams or Drake Maye.
Atlanta Falcons' Bold Prediction – Bijan Robinson Wins Offensive Rookie Of The Year
In a season where multiple rookie quarterbacks will get significant playing time, it could be tough for a skill-position player to win the Offensive Rookie Of The Year Honors. What makes 2023 different is that the fit between Bijan Robinson and Atlanta is a magical one that should bring the best out of him.
Fewer teams in the NFL are more committed to the run game than the Falcons, who made it a staple of the offense under head coach Arthur Smith. This emphasis comes as a result of Smith's days in Tennessee, where he utilized a run-heavy attack led by Derrick Henry to help the Titans come within a game of the Super Bowl.
Second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder is going to be asked to be a game manager and do plenty of handing off to Robinson, Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson in order to set up more manageable passing downs. While the latter backs were extremely effective as a platoon last season, Robinson's talent level blows them out of the water and will ensure he gets the majority of touches.
Expect to see Robinson accumulate over 1,700 yards from scrimmage and score a dozen touchdowns on the year as Atlanta makes a surprise push for the NFC South crown. That kind of performance would be more than enough to help Robinson succeed Garrett Wilson as the NFL's Offensive Rookie Of The Year.
Baltimore Ravens' Bold Prediction – Lamar Jackson Sets Career Highs In Passing Categories
Now that his huge contract is signed, Lamar Jackson can focus on helping the Ravens pursue their third Super Bowl trophy. Injuries accumulated late in the past two years have forced Jackson to miss time down the stretch, costing Baltimore a chance to make deep postseason runs.
That should change this season as the Ravens have finally given him a supporting cast that will bring out the best in Jackson's throwing ability. Odell Beckham Jr can be a game-breaking receiver when healthy and rookie Zay Flowers is a good fit for the Ravens in the slot, adding two huge targets for Jackson to look towards.
Adding those two to returners Rashod Bateman and Mark Andrews gives Jackson his most talented group of pass-catchers ever. The confidence Jackson will build in that group should allow him to make better use of his passing ability, which doesn't get enough respect, while using his game-breaking speed for occasions where plays break down instead of the primary read on offense.
A pass-first Jackson is one who should be able to stay healthy for the majority of the season, giving Baltimore an excellent chance to challenge Cincinnati in the AFC North. Jackson will also have a chip on his shoulder after multiple teams with quarterback needs opted not to pursue him in free agency, giving the Ravens a highly-motivated former MVP.
Buffalo Bills' Bold Prediction – The Bills Fail To Win The AFC East
Something was off with Buffalo at the end of last season as the team that got to the playoffs wasn't nearly as dominant as the one who got off to a flying start at the beginning of the season. It's true that a key late-season injury to Von Miller hurt the Bills' defense but Buffalo's offense also took a step back as Josh Allen made plenty of key mistakes down the stretch.
Free agency also wasn't a boon for Buffalo, which didn't find a second receiver to take pressure off Stefon Diggs or a game-breaking runner to bolster a rushing attack that opposing teams didn't respect. When you factor in the improvements that Miami and New York made as well, the gap between those teams has shrunk considerably.
The other thing working against Buffalo is its schedule, which is more difficult this season as a result of playing both the NFC East and AFC West outside of their division games. The placement games also see the Bills take on Cincinnati, Jacksonville and Tampa Bay, a trio of games more difficult than anyone else in the AFC East will draw.
The talent on Buffalo's roster is still sufficient to make the playoffs, but this year's trip will come via the wild card route. Road playoff games should mean an earlier exit for Buffalo than they've become accustomed to, raising the pressure on the front office to find the missing pieces to take advantage of a championship window.
Carolina Panthers' Bold Prediction – Frank Reich Is A Coach Of The Year Candidate
There is a lot to like about Carolina, including the fact that they made a bold trade-up to acquire the top overall pick in the 2023 draft to grab a franchise quarterback in Bryce Young. The underreported move, however, comes from landing one of the most accomplished head coaches on the market in Frank Reich.
Hiring Reich, who was let go by Jim Irsay after a rough start for the Colts, gives the Panthers much-needed credibility after the disastrous Matt Rhule era. Interim coach Steve Wilks nearly took Carolina to the playoffs with Sam Darnold as his primary quarterback, which speaks well to the talent on the Panthers' roster.
Adding a coach like Reich will also be a good thing for Young, who will learn from one of the league's best teachers at the position. Carolina also has the good fortune of playing in the mediocre NFC South where any of the division's four teams have a good shot at making a playoff push.
The Panthers have the division's most accomplished head coach and Reich's experience will have Carolina right in the hunt for the division crown until the end of the season. That seems to be well above what most experts expect from Carolina, which would give Reich the same recipe for Coach of the Year votes that Brian Daboll rode to the award last season.
Chicago Bears' Bold Prediction – Justin Fields Makes The Pro Bowl
Few quarterbacks were more electrifying last season than Justin Fields, who showed flashes of superstar potential in the second half. Fields used his electrifying mobility to keep the Bears in games despite a subpar supporting cast, raising hopes that he can lead them for the foreseeable future.
GM Ryan Poles did a good job upgrading Fields' supporting cast in the offseason by getting him another playmaker with D.J. Moore coming over in the trade for the top pick in the draft. First-round pick Darnell Wright will also help bolster Chicago's leaky offensive line, giving Fields more time to beat teams with his arm in addition to his legs.
A leap forward from Fields could help him reach his first Pro Bowl, especially given the dearth of top quarterbacks in the NFC. With Tom Brady entering retirement and Aaron Rodgers now playing for the Jets, there's no reason to believe that Fields can't become one of the three NFC quarterbacks in the Pro Bowl Games with a better statistical season.
Pro Bowl quarterbacks don't usually come from Chicago with Mitchell Trubisky earning the Bears' last nod for a passer in 2018. Fields has much more upside than Trubisky and should prove that he belongs among the game's elites with a tremendous season.
Cincinnati Bengals' Bold Prediction – Joe Burrow Wins NFL MVP Honors
For all the hype around Cincinnati Bengals' star Joe Burrow, he hasn't received a ton of love in the regular season awards department. Burrow broke through in the 2021 postseason and put together a fine season in 2022 but was overshadowed by both Jalen Hurts and eventual winner Patrick Mahomes.
The gloves are coming off for Burrow this season as he looks to prove that he is the best quarterback in the league. Better health from Ja'Marr Chase, who missed some time due to injury in 2022, along with strong seasons from Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd give Burrow all the help he needs to ascend to the league's best passer.
Mahomes' supporting cast also took another hit in the offseason as Mecole Hardman and Juju Smith-Schuster left in free agency, giving Burrow the edge in pass catchers for the first time. The Bengals will have to outlast Baltimore and Pittsburgh to win the AFC North and will put the ball in Burrow's hands to ensure that happens.
There is also significant motivation for Burrow, who is looking to secure his own long-term contract extension with Cincinnati. The deal has not been completed as of post time but Burrow can name his price if he wins the MVP.
Cleveland Browns' Bold Prediction – Kevin Stefanski Gets Fired In-Season
The pressure is mounting in Cleveland as the Browns appear to have seen the window for an ascending young team closing quicker than they anticipated. Cleveland has already been lapped by Baltimore and Cincinnati in the AFC North while Pittsburgh surpassed the Browns in 2022 during what was supposed to be a rebuilding year, raising anxiety levels within the Dawg Pound.
The season was a bit of a mulligan for head coach Kevin Stefanski since the team had to weather an 11-game suspension for Deshaun Watson, forcing them to use Jacoby Brissett as a stop-gam until Week 13. Watson looked very rusty upon his comeback and didn't get much better as the season progressed, raising the pressure on Stefanski to fix him this offseason.
Browns' owner Jimmy Haslam is not a patient man and will want to see marked improvement from Watson since he handed him a fully-guaranteed contract and took on a significant public relations hit to get what Haslam perceived as his franchise quarterback. The division remains difficult and the AFC as a whole is stacked so the odds appear to be against Cleveland returning to the postseason for the second time in four years.
Haslam will want a fall guy and that could be Stefanski, who has just one year left on his contract after this one and would be a lame-duck coach entering 2024 without an extension. A poor start could convince Haslam to pull the plug early and begin looking for a new coach who can get the best out of Watson in the future.
Dallas Cowboys' Bold Predictions – Dak Prescott Takes A Step Back
The Dallas Cowboys have done a lot of winning with Dak Prescott as their quarterback but have yet to advance beyond the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Expectations for Prescott will be higher this season as Dallas' offensive line got a bit worse last season and the running game will have a different look with Ezekiel Elliott gone and Tony Pollard coming off of an injury.
In order for the Cowboys to have a successful season, and by their standards it will have to involve at least reaching the NFC Championship Game, Prescott will have to carry them there with the way the roster is currently constructed. It doesn't seem, however, like Prescott has the right supporting cast around him to succeed.
Brandin Cooks was the only notable addition at receiver to a group that struggled to produce outside of CeeDee Lamb, who is a bona fide superstar at the position. The loss of Dalton Schultz will also hurt Prescott, who had a good rapport with the tight end, and expecting rookie Luke Schoonmaker to contribute right away may be a tall order.
Prescott has struggled as a passer of late, throwing 29 interceptions in his last 33 starts, and he hasn't proven to be the type of quarterback to elevate the players around him to success. Playing in the weaker NFC will help but Prescott will have a difficult time getting Dallas where they want to go with a weakened supporting cast.
Denver Broncos' Bold Prediction – Sean Payton Leads A Top 10 Rushing Attack
Most pundits assumed that the hiring of Sean Payton would mean that the Denver Broncos would find a way to make Russell Wilson a Pro Bowler again. Payton had a ton of success in New Orleans with a smaller quarterback in Drew Brees, setting a reasonable bar that Wilson could bounce back from his worst season as a pro and have the Broncos in the playoff hunt.
While Brees did have excellent passing statistics in New Orleans, the Saints were often at their best under Payton when they were able to pair Brees with a strong running game. The Super Bowl-winning team in 2009 was headlined by the backfield tandem of Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush while the contenders late in Brees' career had a dynamic duo of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara toting the rock.
The Broncos have the means to duplicate that formula with Javonte Williams, who was on his way to a breakout season before a torn ACL, and free agent pickup Samaje Perine as their 1-2 punch. The offensive line remains a strength for Denver when healthy so expect Payton to lean on the running game early in order to not put too much on Wilson's plate at the start of the season.
Utilizing the run game also makes sense since Denver plays in the AFC West and will want to limit the possessions for strong offenses led by the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. A run-first offense led by Payton should easily land inside the Top 10 of the NFL for the 2023 season.
Detroit Lions' Bold Prediction – The Lions Run Away With The NFC North
While their draft strategy was a bit questionable, Detroit has set themselves up as the team to beat in the NFC North. The Lions were one of the scariest teams in the NFL in the second half of 2022, going 8-2 after Halloween to go from 1-6 to 9-8 and missed the postseason on a tiebreaker.
Dan Campbell's team also proved its worth against the NFC North's best teams, blowing out the Vikings at home and knocking out the Aaron Rodgers-led Packers in Week 18 when Green Bay had a playoff spot on the line. The Packers are now turning things over to Jordan Love while Minnesota hasn't significantly improved its awful defense, making Detroit the clear favorites to win the division.
The Lions have the NFC North's best defense, which should go a long way toward making the playoffs, and an explosive offense capable of outscoring anyone in football. The argument can also be made that the Lions are the only team in the division to make significant improvements, which could create meaningful separation in the NFC North.
The Lions haven't won a division title since 1993, when Barry Sanders was in his prime. Campbell will look to turn back the clock as Detroit runs away with the NFC North and Ford Field hosts its first playoff game involving its home team.
Green Bay Packers' Bold Prediction – Jordan Love Leads Green Bay To A Winning Record
Fans of the Packers are surely hoping history repeats itself when it comes to their line of succession at quarterback. Green Bay dealt Brett Favre to the New York Jets in 2008 to clear the starting job for one Aaron Rodgers, who played at a Hall-of-Fame level for 15 years before getting dealt to . . . the Jets.
2020 first-round pick Jordan Love is now the man at the helm of the Packers and has had three years to learn under Rodgers, much like how Rodgers spent three years behind Favre. While it is a bit premature to declare that Love will turn into another future Hall-of-Famer, Green Bay did a good job of building a solid infrastructure around its young quarterback.
The Rodgers trade added some premium picks to Green Bay's war chest and they used their assets to both bolster their defense and give Love some more weapons, which was a common complaint from Rodgers towards the end of his tenure as the Packers ignored that request. Love will have a talented collection of pass catchers with rookies Jayden Reed and Luke Musgrave joining Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson.
There will be growing pains for sure but the Packers figure to be clicking by the end of the season. When you factor in the weaker NFC, and in particular a step back from Minnesota in the NFC North, don't be surprised if Green Bay ends up at 9-8 and fighting for the last Wild Card spot in the conference once again.
Houston Texans' Bold Prediction – Will Anderson Has Double-Digit Sacks
The Texans paid a steep price to trade up from 12 to 3 in the draft to land Will Anderson, the top-rated prospect on many big boards. Giving up their own first-round pick and a third-round pick in 2024, along with a second-rounder in 2023, is basically paying franchise quarterback prices to secure a pass rusher.
Few prospects had as polished a resume as Anderson, however, who should be a perfect fit for the Texans' defensive front. New head coach DeMeco Ryans comes from San Francisco, where he was the defensive coordinator for the 49ers' elite unit, and they preached the value of having as many pass rushers as you can find.
Anderson appears to be a perfect fit for Houston's defense and should make an immediate impact for the Texans. Expecting a double-digit sack campaign is a lot from a rookie but Anderson is more than capable of delivering that kind of production for Houston.
Seeing a 10+ sack year from Anderson would mark a big win for Houston, which would now have an elite edge rusher along with a potential franchise quarterback in C.J. Stroud. Those two will be the face of the Texans going forward and Ryans will get an immediate return on investment from Anderson.
Indianapolis Colts' Bold Prediction – Jonathan Taylor Is A Top 3 Rusher In The NFL
Fantasy football players across America right now are probably dry-heaving at the mention of Jonathan Taylor, the consensus top pick in drafts last summer. The choice made perfect sense after Taylor led the league with 1,811 yards in 2021 but injuries and a poor offensive line crushed Taylor's 2022 season.
Taylor rushed for just 865 yards in 11 games, averaging a solid 4.5 yards per carry, but he simply wasn't healthy enough to make a big impact on Indianapolis' season. The coaching change from Frank Reich to Jeff Saturday also didn't help since the Colts' offensive schemes were dramatically simplified under the interim head coach.
New head coach Shane Steichen is coming off a season where he served as the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, who posted one of the best rushing seasons in NFL history. With either Gardner Minshew or rookie Anthony Richardson under center expect Steichen to lean on Taylor heavily in order to give Indianapolis a chance to win.
Taylor's troublesome ankle should be healthy entering the year and he is going to benefit from Steichen's creative schemes to get him into open space. Expect a big bounce-back performance from Taylor, who should be one of the league's top three backs in terms of rushing yards.
Jacksonville Jaguars' Bold Prediction – Trevor Lawrence Exceeds 5,000 Passing Yards
A big reason that the Jaguars surged to the AFC South title down the stretch was a big leap from Trevor Lawrence. After a lost rookie year thanks to inept coaching from Urban Meyer, Lawrence improved rapidly in his second season under the tutelage of new head coach Doug Pederson.
The final totals saw Lawrence throw for over 4,100 yards with 25 touchdowns against just eight interceptions, numbers good enough to help Lawrence earn an invite to the Pro Bowl Games. Most young quarterbacks take a big leap forward from Year 1 to Year 2 but Lawrence is poised to do this in Year 3 since his rookie year was essentially a wash thanks to Meyer.
Jacksonville has put a strong supporting cast around Lawrence that will improve even more with the return of Calvin Ridley from a year-long suspension. Ridley was on the verge of becoming a No. 1 receiver with the Atlanta Falcons prior to the suspension and adds a true game-breaker that Lawrence didn't have a year ago.
Expect Pederson to turn more of his offense over to Lawrence this season and get rewarded with a 5,000 yard passing season. Lawrence showed a bit of why he was the most hyped quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck last season and will give the world a bigger glimpse of his full potential in 2023.
Kansas City Chiefs' Bold Prediction – The AFC Championship Game Streak Ends
This will certainly qualify as bold since the Chiefs have become the NFL's modern dynasty with a future Hall-of-Fame head coach in Andy Reid and the league's best quarterback in Patrick Mahomes. The pair has thrived since Mahomes became the full-time starter in 2018, getting to at least the AFC Championship Game each year with three Super Bowl appearances and two Lombardi Trophies.
The success of Kansas City has led to a massive arms race in the AFC as Buffalo, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Miami, Los Angeles and the New York Jets have built teams capable of making deep playoff runs. The salary cap has also forced the Chiefs to make difficult choices, losing key contributors along the way while trying to maintain their title-winning core.
This season's big changes include both offensive tackles as Donovan Smith and Jawaan Taylor were brought in to replace Orlando Brown and Andrew Wylie. The receiving corps also took more hits as Juju Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hartman left in free agency with second-round pick Rashee Rice being the most notable addition to the group.
That talent gap will catch up to Kansas City this year as they win the AFC West but fail to get back to the AFC Championship Game for the first time in six years. The long-term outlook is still strong for the Chiefs but the depth of the AFC will take them down in 2023.
Las Vegas Raiders' Bold Prediction – Jimmy Garoppolo Plays A Full Season
The big knock on Jimmy Garoppolo throughout his career has been his inability to stay healthy. Various knee, ankle and foot problems have kept Garoppolo from playing a full season since 2019, which happened to be the year he took the San Francisco 49ers to within a quarter of a Super Bowl win.
The 49ers appeared to be on their way back with Garoppolo before he suffered a broken foot in December and got replaced quite effectively by Brock Purdy. Garoppolo is now off to Las Vegas where he will shock the world and stay healthy for a 17-game season with the Raiders.
That kind of health would be a godsend for embattled head coach Josh McDaniels, who has something to prove after failing to mesh with Derek Carr last season. Garoppolo is very familiar with McDaniels' system from his days in New England and should be able to execute it successfully, giving the Raiders a chance to have a highly productive offense with Josh Jacobs and Davante Adams.
While a questionable defense may hold the Raiders back, Garoppolo's health will offer McDaniels proof that he can succeed as a head coach in the NFL. Las Vegas has the deck stacked against it in a loaded division and conference but don't be shocked if Garoppolo continues to win and has the Raiders in the playoff hunt until the end of the season.
Los Angeles Chargers' Bold Prediction – Quentin Johnston Has 1,000 Yards Receiving As A Rookie
The Chargers have invested heavily in weapons for Justin Herbert over the years, signing Mike Williams to a long-term contract and drafting Quentin Johnston in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Johnston appears set to begin the season as the Chargers' third receiver but his unique skill set should mesh nicely with Herbert, allowing him to become one of Los Angeles' go-to-guys.
The Chargers had to like what they saw in college from Johnston, who was a big play machine for TCU as the Horned Frogs advanced all the way to the national championship game. Another receiver was also a necessity for Los Angeles after Williams and Keenan Allen missed time due to injury a year ago, leaving Joshua Palmer and Jalen Guyton as Herbert's top targets for significant stretches.
Allen is now 31 years old and showed a bit of a decline before getting hurt while Williams has missed at least two games in three of the past four years. If either player misses time that should open up more targets for Johnston, who can be a home run hitter for the Chargers offense.
The Chargers' schedule is also loaded with strong offensive teams, which should lead to plenty of games where Herbert has to out-gun the opposition to produce a victory. That will also aid Johnston's effort to surpass 1,000 yards as a rookie and contend with Bijan Robinson for Offensive Rookie Of The Year Honors.
Los Angeles Rams' Bold Prediction – Sean McVay Steps Down After A Rough Season
There have been rumors about Sean McVay leaving the Rams for a television job over the past few years. Amazon has made a big push for McVay to join their Thursday Night Football coverage but he has spurned their offers to remain as the head coach of the Rams, who are now entering what could be a protracted rebuild.
There is still star power in Los Angeles, headlined by quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Cooper Kupp and defensive tackle Aaron Donald, but the bulk of the roster is loaded with young players aiming to make their mark on the league. That challenge likely invigorated McVay, who may see an opportunity to get back to the postseason in a weakened NFC, but the talent gap between the Rams and the rest of the league has been widened after years of trading away draft picks to pursue a championship.
The 2023 season figures to be a tough one for the Rams, who could struggle to match last season's five-win performance. There will be more TV offers after this season for sure and McVay will opt to take one, giving Los Angeles a chance to go for a clean reset in their rebuilding efforts.
This won't be the end of McVay as a head coach since he is just 37 years old but it seems like a part of him is intrigued by the idea of television, which allows him to stay involved with football without the grind of being a head coach. Going to TV would also allow McVay to avoid wasting years in a rebuild and recharge his batteries while waiting for the perfect opportunity to get back into the NFL.
Miami Dolphins' Bold Prediction – Tyreek Hill Gets 2,000 Yards Receiving
Fewer players had a more successful debut with a new team than Tyreek Hill did in 2022. After getting traded to Miami in the offseason, Hill responded with career-highs in receptions (119) and receiving yards (1,710) as the Dolphins made the playoffs.
While Hill did form a strong connection with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the fact that he managed to get as many receiving yards as he did is even more impressive since the Dolphins' quarterback play fell off a cliff in games Tagovailoa didn't play. Teddy Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson formed an ineffective backup combination for Miami, which undoubtedly cost Hill a chance at more receptions and receiving yards.
Miami made a point to improve their backup quarterback situation this season with the addition of Mike White, who showed he can capably run an NFL offense when he got opportunities with the New York Jets over the past few years. Tagovailoa is the unquestioned starter in Miami but his history of concussions made a stronger backup a good investment and White is certainly capable of keeping the Dolphins on track if Tagovailoa misses time.
Getting better quarterback play in every game should allow Hill to enter rarified air and reach 2,000 yards receiving, breaking Calvin Johnson's single-season record for receiving yardage of 1,964 set back in 2012. The 17th game is certainly a help but Hill's ability to turn any play into a home run gives him a leg up in his pursuit of NFL history.
Minnesota Vikings' Bold Prediction – Minnesota Misses The Playoffs
It's an odd sight for an NFL team to post a winning record with a negative point differential, let alone a 13-4 mark. That was the case for the Vikings last season as they were outscored by three points on the year but still won the NFC North due to a ridiculous 11-0 record in one-possession games.
Maintaining that kind of performance is not sustainable since there is plenty of luck involved in winning one-possession games, such as having the football bounce in your favor and avoiding costly mistakes. Even a bit of regression to the mean in that department takes the Vikings from a 13-win team to a squad closer to the .500 mark.
There are also significant defensive questions in Minnesota since their defense was shredded by elite competition a year ago and was torched by the New York Giants in a Wild Card round loss. The Vikings haven't made a ton of significant improvements on that side of the ball, which means they will again be relying on Kirk Cousins and the offense to win shootouts.
The schedule is also more difficult for Minnesota, which has to deal with the AFC West, Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals as well as improved competition from Detroit and Chicago in the division. That mix adds up to an 8-9 season for the Vikings, who miss the playoffs in what could end up as Cousins' final season in Minnesota.
New England Patriots' Bold Prediction – The Patriots Finish Last In The AFC East
It's been a long time since New England has been at the bottom of the AFC East. The dynasty formed by the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick duo has led to plenty of success and division titles, but on the rare occasions that the Patriots missed the playoffs they never finished worse than third since re-alignment in 2002.
That is poised to change this season as the Patriots look like the worst team on paper in a very competitive AFC East. The addition of Aaron Rodgers has vaulted the New York Jets into Super Bowl contender territory, putting them right up there with the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins as playoff contenders.
New England isn't a bad team at all as they still feature a stout defense and a future Hall of Fame coach in Belichick but their offense lags behind the other three teams in the division. Mac Jones appears to have lost the trust of Belichick and will need to have a big rebound under new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien to keep the Patriots relevant in the division.
The other complicating factor for New England is a brutal schedule that has them facing off with the NFC East and AFC West, two of the other brutally competitive divisions in football. It wouldn't be surprising to see Belichick scrap his way to a 7-10 campaign but that won't be good enough to avoid the cellar.
New Orleans Saints' Bold Prediction – Michael Thomas Wins Comeback Player Of The Year
Fewer players have had a bigger fall from grace than Michael Thomas, who was widely regarded as one of the best receivers in football after a dominant four-year run to begin his career. A troublesome ankle injury has limited Thomas to just 10 games in three years, turning him into an afterthought in New Orleans.
The good news for the Saints is that Thomas finally appears to be healthy, which is a big sign of progress for a guy New Orleans needs to try and win the NFC South. The addition of Derek Carr also gives the Saints their best quarterback since Drew Brees retired, which will also help Thomas get back to his old ways.
The emergence of Chris Olave as a legitimate No. 1 receiver takes a lot of pressure off Thomas, who will no longer be the focal point of opposing defenses. Expect New Orleans to work Thomas into the mix early on to prove he is healthy before fully taking the training wheels off in the second half.
Getting 17 games out of Thomas should lead to close to 1,000 receiving yards and anywhere between 7-10 touchdowns. That kind of effort, especially after the rough three-year period Thomas is coming off of, should make him a shoo-in for Comeback Player Of The Year.
New York Giants' Bold Prediction – The Giants Increase Their Win Total From 2022
There are plenty of reasons to be skeptical of the sustainability of the New York Giants. An easy schedule was a significant aid to the Giants' playoff push of a year ago and their collection of opponents is much harder in 2023.
The Giants have made solid improvements to their roster but this is still a team that ranks closer to the bottom third of the league in terms of pure talent. Where the Giants do have a big edge, however, is at head coach as Brian Daboll has proven he is a legitimate star in the making.
Daboll easily earned NFL Coach of the Year honors for guiding a talent-deficient Giants team to the Divisional Round of the Playoffs. Few coaches in the league are better at in-game adjustments than Daboll, whose teams often peaked in the second half and rose to the occasion in clutch moments.
The fact that New York has Daboll is reason to believe they actually exceed their 9-7-1 performance from a year ago and make the playoffs again. New York hasn't made the playoffs in back-to-back years since making four postseason trips in a row from 2005-2008 with Eli Manning at quarterback but that streak will end thanks to the hard work of Daboll, his coaching staff and the players.
New York Jets' Bold Prediction – Aaron Rodgers Takes The Jets To The AFC Championship Game
The Jets have gone all in this offseason with a trade for Aaron Rodgers that evokes memories of a similar deal they made with the Green Bay Packers 15 years ago. While things didn't end well with Brett Favre, the legendary gunslinger did guide New York to an 8-3 start before tearing his biceps in practice and playing through the injury in an attempt to preserve his consecutive starts streak.
Rodgers did show a bit of a dip in 2022 but some of that can be attributed to a thumb injury he played through after Week 5 as well as growing pains for his receiving corps. Assuming health can be tricky at Rodgers' age but he is highly motivated to prove the Packers wrong and demonstrate that he is still one of the NFL's elite quarterbacks.
The Jets have gotten true buy-in from Rodgers, who has participated in voluntary OTAs in an effort to integrate with his new teammates, something he declined to do in Green Bay the past few years. Reports have indicated that the Jets' front office feels like last year's team would have won five more games with Rodgers at quarterback, which makes a ton of sense given their elite defense and talented playmakers on offense.
A big jump from a healthy Rodgers will help the Jets unseat the Bills in the AFC East and get at least one home playoff game, which should provide a solid launching point to reach the AFC Championship Game. Rodgers has had his issues at that level of the playoffs but Jets' fans would happily sign for a deep January run after 12 years of sitting out of postseason play.
Philadelphia Eagles' Bold Prediction – Jalen Hurts Exceeds 4,000 Passing Yards and 1,000 Rushing Yards
The Philadelphia Eagles made sure to take care of Jalen Hurts in the offseason with a massive contract extension that makes him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in football. Hurts proved he was worthy of a huge payday with a breakthrough 2022 campaign where he threw for over 3,700 yards and rushed for another 760.
The dual-threat nature of Hurts' game makes him extremely difficult to defend and could lead to some historic milestones in 2023. The departure of offensive coordinator Shane Steichen for Indianapolis' head coaching job is a concern but new play caller Brian Johnson was a member of the staff already, allowing the Eagles to maintain continuity with their offensive system.
The crazy thing about Hurts' production in 2022 is that he essentially did it in 14 games since he missed two contests with a shoulder injury and didn't play much in Week 18 once Philadelphia built a big lead. Hurts' style of play is an injury concern but if he stays healthy in 2023 the sky is the limit for his production.
4,000 passing yards is a milestone for passing quarterbacks while 1,000 rushing yards is rarified air for quarterbacks who make a living with their legs. Hurts will find a way to accomplish both, giving Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes a run for their money in the MVP race.
Pittsburgh Steelers' Bold Prediction – Mike Tomlin's Streak Of Winning Seasons Comes To An End
One of the more discussed figures in football is Mike Tomlin's streak of consecutive winning seasons. Tomlin took over for Bill Cowher in 2007 and posted a 10-6 record that year, starting a streak of 16 consecutive seasons with a record of at least .500 or better.
The addition of a 17th game appeared to put that streak in jeopardy but Tomlin has found a way to keep Pittsburgh competitive over the past two years, going 9-7-1 to sneak into a Wild Card spot in Ben Roethlisberger's final season while riding a strong finish to a 9-8 record in 2022. Most experts have pegged the Steelers as a trendy sleeper entering the 2023 season but the streak will come to an end as Pittsburgh goes 8-9 this season.
There are questions about whether Kenny Pickett can actually build on his strong finish to the season and develop into a true franchise quarterback. New England thought they had something with Mac Jones before a sophomore slump raised doubts about his future, something that could be a strong possibility for Pickett, who was the headliner in a weak 2022 class of rookie quarterbacks.
The roster around Pickett is also a work in progress as several rookies are expected to play key roles, including left tackle Broderick Jones and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. There will be more growing pains in Pittsburgh, which may dig itself another early hole in the tough AFC North but finish just shy of the .500 plateau.
San Francisco 49ers' Bold Prediction – Trey Lance Starts The Majority Of The Season At Quarterback
The end of the 2022 season felt like a coronation for Brock Purdy, who went from Mr. Irrelevant to the 49ers' starting quarterback in the NFC Championship Game. Purdy played a similar game to his predecessor, Jimmy Garoppolo, and helped guide a talented supporting cast deep into January before suffering an elbow injury that required offseason surgery.
While San Francisco is optimistic that Purdy will be ready to go by training camp, the fact he is coming off a torn UCL may make it harder for Purdy to regain his previous form. This should open the door for Trey Lance, a former No. 3 overall pick in the draft, to reclaim the starting role.
Lance began last season as San Francisco's starter before a broken leg ended his season in Week 3. The 49ers have never really gotten an extended look at Lance, who they traded multiple first round picks to acquire in the 2021 draft, and there is every reason to believe his ceiling as a quarterback is higher than Purdy's.
Expect to see Lance win a training camp competition and begin the season as San Francisco's starter. A manageable early schedule will allow Lance to get his feet underneath him and start winning, which should enable him to hold onto the job as long as he stays healthy and performs well.
Seattle Seahawks' Bold Prediction – Kenneth Walker III Runs For 1,300 Yards
The Seahawks made a surprising playoff appearance last season after a resounding victory in the Russell Wilson trade and a career-saving season from Geno Smith. Expectations will be higher for Seattle in 2023 and one key to meeting them will be getting another big performance out of running back Kenneth Walker III.
Head coach Pete Carroll prefers a run-first approach and Walker was utilized heavily as a rookie, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and rushing for over 1,000 yards in 15 games. The Seahawks didn't lean heavily on Walker until Rashaad Penny was lost for the season to injury, meaning there is plenty of room for upside with more carries.
The running game is going to be important for Seattle since Smith works well off of play action, making the mere threat of Walker something opponents will have to fear. Walker's presence will also help the Seahawks control the clock and keep their defense fresher against a more challenging schedule.
There is no reason to believe that Walker won't receive close to 280 carries and exceed 1,300 yards on the ground. That kind of performance would help Seattle not only return to the playoffs but challenge the 49ers for supremacy in the NFC West.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Bold Prediction – The Bucs Win The NFC South
It may not seem bold to call the two-time reigning NFC South champions to win it again but the way this offseason has unfolded has led people to discount Tampa Bay. Tom Brady's retirement will lead to a significant downgrade at quarterback as Baker Mayfield battles Kyle Trask for the job in training camp, which has made New Orleans the trendy pick to win the division.
There is still a lot to like about the Buccaneers, however, who are loaded with players that have experience winning from their time playing with Brady. The offensive line should be stronger with the addition of Cody Mauch in the draft while Todd Bowles' defense is still filled with playmakers.
Mayfield will likely win the quarterback job in camp and has experience taking a team to the playoffs after getting to the Divisional Round in 2020 with the Cleveland Browns. The supporting cast that Mayfield inherits is a good one as Mike Evans and Chris Godwin still rate as the best receiver duo in the division and Tampa Bay's running back room is intriguing.
The NFC South is also, quite frankly, not very good. The Buccaneers won this division at 8-9 a year ago and have a similar talent base, giving them every reason to believe they can make another trip to the postseason before launching a full rebuild.
Tennessee Titans' Bold Prediction – Will Levis Is The Starting Quarterback By Mid-Season
Life comes at you fast in the NFL and the Tennessee Titans learned that lesson the hard way in 2022. After a three-year run as the class of the AFC South, the Titans collapsed down the stretch after Ryan Tannehill got hurt and were lapped by an ascending Jacksonville team for the division crown.
Salary cap issues forced more changes in the offseason but Tannehill is still around to play out the final year of his deal. Tennessee did take its first step towards the future, however, by trading up in the second round of the NFL Draft to select Kentucky's Will Levis.
The Titans do have the luxury of starting Tannehill at the beginning of the season to buy Levis some key development time but teams that draft quarterbacks that high don't sit very long. The schedule is also challenging for Tennessee early as they play the Saints, the presumptive favorites in the NFC South, in Week 1 along with three AFC North foes and the Los Angeles Chargers prior to their Week 7 bye.
A slow start could lead head coach Mike Vrabel to pull the plug on Tannehill and turn to Levis to let him start leaning on the job. Another opportunity to plug Levis in comes in Week 10, which comes after Tennessee gets a mini-bye following a Thursday night appearance, and the odds are high Tannehill won't be playing well enough to keep the job over the course of the season.
Washington Commanders' Bold Prediction – Chase Young Records Double-Digit Sacks
One of the more intriguing decisions in the fifth-year option cycle was Washington's choice to decline its fifth-year option on defensive end Chase Young. The move was understandable since Young has been decimated by injuries after a strong rookie season where he racked up 7.5 sacks.
It took Young a long time to recover from an ACL tear suffered in the middle of the 2021 season. After initially hoping to see Young take the field in Week 4, Washington had to wait until Week 16 for him to make his return and got just five tackles in three games out of the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft.
Being another year removed from the ACL injury will be a big boost for Young, who should have more of the burst back that made him one of the NFL's most fearsome pass rushers as a rookie. The Commanders have also built a strong defensive line around Young as Montez Sweat, Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen give Washington a tremendous front four that will prevent Young from drawing double teams.
2023 will also be a contract year for Young, who is just 24 and has the best football of his career still in front of him. Young will be highly motivated to deliver the goods and racks up double digit sacks, leaving the Commanders another tough call of whether to use the franchise tag on him or let Young test the free agent waters.
