National Football Conference (NFC)
NFC EAST
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles were the epitome of consistency throughout the 2022 season. Nick Sirianni’s side started the campaign on a bright note and got better as the season progressed, finishing with the best record in the NFC. The 2017 champions were arguably the best team in the entire NFL last season and were a tad unfortunate to have lost the Super Bowl 35-38 to the Chiefs, despite having been the best team in the first half of the game.
The Eagles have lost both their offensive and defensive coordinators to the Colts and Cardinals respectively but with star quarterback Jalen Hurts inking a new deal, as well as the core of last season’s team also returning the Eagles are not only favorites to win the NFC East but also win it all.
Dallas Cowboys
It pains me to admit this —thanks to their annoying fanbase— but the Cowboys should come in second place behind the Eagles. America’s team as they’re famously known, were eliminated in the divisional round of the playoffs by the 49ers but their impressive victory over the Buccaneers away from home was a joy to behold and something to build upon ahead of the upcoming season.
The Cowboys re-signed backup quarterback Cooper Rush after he impressed in the absence of starting quarterback Dak Prescott last season and with the addition of young Trey Lance, it’s safe to say Mike McCarthy’s side has outstanding depth behind center. Making the post-season is the least requirement for the Cowboys this season but whether or not the team ends its 27-year wait for the Lombardi Trophy remains to be seen. Moreover, it’s the Cowboys, expect them to falter when the going gets tough.
New York Giants
The NFC East division used to be called “NFC Least” only a few years ago. However, that changed last season thanks to how well the Giants performed under the tutelage of Brian Daboll —who was voted coach of the year. Daboll led the New York team to the playoffs, securing a shock victory over the Minnesota Vikings in the process.
The Giants re-signed quarterback Daniel Jones and star d-line man Dexter Lawrence to new four-year deals but none was as important as finding a way to bring back Saquon Barkley despite contract issues all off-season. The running back returned from two injury-laden seasons to once again reassert himself as one of the best running backs in the league and the most important player in the Giants offense. If the Giants are to improve on last season’s outing, Barkley has to be front and center once again.
Washington Commanders
Dan Snyder is out of town and for good this time, that enough is good news for fans of the Commanders, as well as the league itself. Whether or not the despised “Commanders” name is going to be changed by the new owners also remains to be seen.
Fans of the DC-based team might not like the name but one thing is clear, they did like the team’s performance last season despite failing to make the playoffs. The Commanders alternated between three players at the quarterback position last season but their defensive play was enough to help them secure a 8-8-1 record.
Head coach Ron Rivera looks like he’s fully healthy —after battling cancer— and with the promise shown so far by second-year quarterback Sam Howell, the only way is up for the Commanders. However, the fans might to bide their time a little bit more, as a lack of proven talent on the offensive side of the ball could hamper their chances of doing well in a competitive NFC East.
NFC North
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings were one of the surprise packages of last season and for good reason. The Vikings appointed Kevin O’Connell as the new head coach in 2022, a decision that turned out to be a masterstroke. The former L.A. Rams offensive coordinator brought the best out of quarterback Kirk Cousins, which in turn helped the team to a good regular season record of 13-4.
The Vikings wildcard playoff loss to the Giants was a disappointing one but O’Connell can take great pleasure in his team’s display in his first season in charge. The loss of Dalvin Cook in the off-season is a concern, however, in Justin Jefferson, the Vikings have not just one of the best receivers in the league but one of the best players. And are expected to win their division once more thanks to their ability and the lack of outstanding competition from the three other teams.
Detroit Lions
Before last season, when I heard the name Detroit Lions, I immediately thought of mediocre performances or subpar displays. However, Dan Campbell has implemented a culture change in only two years as head coach of the team.
The Lions went from everyone’s favorite to win the draft, to a tough opposition to match up with every night. Their 9-8 record saw them narrowly miss out on the playoffs but secure bragging rights over Aaron Rodgers and the Packers last season. Dan Campbell’s side improved their roster this off-season —especially the defensive side of the ball— and with Jared Goff starting to play some of his best football once more, the Lions are on course to secure second place once more in the NFC North.
Chicago Bears
It’s arguably a toss-up between the Bears and the Packers for third place in this division, but I opted for Matt Eberflus’ side cos of Justin Fields. The former Buckeye quarterback showed massive improvement last season, putting his feet to great use. And while the argument can be made that Fields needs to improve his throwing accuracy, the addition of wide receiver DJ Moore from the Carolina Panthers should help the 24-year-old’s passing game considerably.
The Bears didn’t pull down any trees in the free agency market but the addition of Tremaine Edmunds is something that should take their defense from decent to good. Picking up Robert Tonyan, Travis Homer, and o-line man Nate Davis to join DJ Moore should see the team improve on its abysmal 3-14 record from last season.
Green Bay Packers
All the talk we’ve heard from the Packers camp throughout the off-season has been about how good of a quarterback Jordan Love is. While the comparisons to Patrick Mahomes might have died down after his first two seasons in the league, it’s obvious that the Packers have a lot of faith in Love.
Some would say too much faith perhaps, as the Packers' failure to make improvements to their roster during the off-season is somewhat telling despite losing Aaron Rodgers and other key players. It’s either head coach Matt LaFleur and the rest of the front office are rebuilding the team or have seen something in this young squad the rest of the league is blind to.
NFC South
New Orleans Saints
After years of being amongst the best teams in the league, the Saints had a disappointing season —by their lofty standards— last campaign, however, finished just one game behind division leaders, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who finished with an 8-9 record. The lack of consistent quarterback play didn’t help Dennis Allen in his first season as head coach of the team. Allen who took over from Sean Payton, after the latter called it quits following 15 years as head coach of the Saints, will be hoping to stamp his mark on the team this year.
The Saints picked up Derek Carr from the Raiders to become to their starting quarterback and with a healthy Jameis Winston still on the roster, there’s enough depth behind center for the team to improve at the most important position in the league. The former Super Bowl champions also signed end-zone threat Jamaal Williams from the Lions to bolster their running game. Should Michael Thomas —who resigned with the team on a one-year deal— stay healthy and motivated, the Saints could do more than win the NFC South.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich both walked out the door under different circumstances but in comes Baker Mayfield and Dave Canales replaced them respectively. The Bucs had a disappointing campaign last time out and made the playoffs with a losing record of 8-9. Their disappointing loss to the Cowboys in the wildcard round saw Brady play his last game in the NFL and though his performances suffered a blip, he still offered steady hands and leadership to help the team secure some victories.
Todd Bowles’ side can boast of outstanding play on the defensive side of the ball, however, whether Baker Mayfield can improve the team’s offense is one to keep an eye on.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons might fall in the same category as the Jets; we could’ve been better if we had a good quarterback; at least that is what both sets of fans believe. Arthur Smith’s side finished the 2022 season with a 7-10 record thanks to some questionable play from former starting quarterback Marcus Mariota, who was dropped just before the end of the season for rookie Desmond Ridder.
The team has announced Ridder as the starting quarterback for the 2023 season whilst picking up Taylor Heinicke to provide competition to the former Bearcat. The Falcons had a good off-season in terms of improving their roster and that should help take some pressure off Desmond Ridder as the team looks to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers' 7-10 record from the 2022 season is quite impressive for a team that hit the reset button midway through the season last time out. The team traded away key players like Christian McCaffrey and DJ Moore at different points of the season but their defense had them one win away from making the playoffs.
The decision to retain the services of Brian Burns despite a host of trade offers during last season proved to be the correct call. And when you consider offensive additions like Adam Thielen, Miles Sanders, and Hayden Hurst to help rookie number one overall pick Bryce Young, the Panthers look better on paper than they did last season. However, betting on a rookie quarterback is a huge risk and with the improvement of their rivals, it’s difficult to see them in the top three places in this division.
NFC WEST
San Francisco 49ers
Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch are on the clock and not just according to me alone, as the 49ers fanbase also feels that way as well. The 49ers continue to falter at the same huddle —the NFC Championship game— for the last two seasons whilst mortgaging their future draft picks by trying to win now. The Trey Lance debacle only did more to increase the scrutiny surrounding the head coach and the front office and should the team fall short of making the Super Bowl this time out, it’s safe to say all hell might break loose in San Francisco.
The absence of Nick Bosa so far this off-season is a source of concern. The current defensive player of the year is presently locked in a contract dispute with the team, hence the holdout. However, should both parties come to an agreement, expect the 49ers to run away with the NFC West title this season —ceteris paribus.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams reaffirmed my belief that the NFL is one of the most unpredictable sports competitions in the world. Sean McVey’s team went from Super Bowl champions in 2021 to winning just five games in 2022. The team suffered injuries to key players like Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp, and Matthew Stafford, however, with all three players fully recovered, expect a massive improvement from the Rams in 2023.
The loss of Jalen Ramsey is a big one and with no significant free agency additions nor first-round draft picks, the Rams would it difficult to go against the 49ers for the division’s crown.
Seattle Seahawks
“They wrote me off but I didn’t write back though” - Geno Smith 2022
Firstly, let me tender my apology to Geno Smith as I was part of those who wrote him off before the start of last season. I even took it a step further by writing the entire team off whilst stating that I expected the team to be in the play for a high draft pick in 2023 and suggested that Smith was a placeholder at the quarterback position.
A lot of people expected the Seahawks to struggle after trading Russell Wilson to the Broncos and as fate would have it, Pete Carroll’s side ended the season with a better record than the Broncos, making it to the playoffs in the process before suffering elimination at the hands of the 49ers. It’s been a quiet off-season for the Seahawks, but resigning Geno Smith and drafting wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba; coupled with the return of Bobby Wagner should add some improvement to the team. However, whether or not they can achieve the feat of last season is a big question.
Arizona Cardinals
With Kyler Murray injured and still on the IR list and no outstanding option as a replacement for the quarterback position, it’s safe to say the Cardinals are tanking the 2023 season whether knowingly or unknowingly. The future of Murray in Arizona remains a silent matter and the former number one overall pick’s ethic continues to be questioned at every turn. However, before we start to look too far ahead, newly appointed head coach Jonathan Gannon and the Cardinals must navigate what is starting to look like a difficult 2023 season. And after the loss of key players like J.J. Watt, DeAndre Hopkins, and AJ Green to either retirement or contract termination, the Cardinals are in full rebuild mode and would be fortunate to improve on their 4-13 record from last season.
So, there you have it, let me know what you guys think. Do you think I’m wrong on your favorite team? Or do you expect one or two teams to surprise me? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section. And for all things NFL, please stick with On About Nothing (web & podcast).
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