By Marvin Moore August 10, 2023
The 2023 NFL season is just around the corner, and most teams are eyeing a division title and a playoff berth. Although the reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles will seek back-to-back trips to the Super Bowl, several other talented squads will also be in the championship race.
Last year, the New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks were Cinderella teams who defied the oddsmakers and advanced to the postseason. Which teams will exceed their expectations and post winning seasons this year?
Below are our picks to finish atop their divisions in 2023 and the teams that will claim a wild-card berth.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys (12-5)*
Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)**
New York Giants (10-7)**
Washington Commanders (7-10)
The Cowboys seem primed to dethrone the Eagles as division champion and are eyeing their first Vince Lombardi Trophy since 1996. Dallas will once again showcase one of the league’s top defensive units to go along with a high-octane offense that added speedy wideout, Brandin Cooks. This is Jerry Jone’s best squad since the glory days of the 1990s, and America’s Team is a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Philadelphia reloaded in the offseason and will be looking to book their third ticket on the NFL’s biggest stage in six years. The Eagles’ reinforced their elite defense with a pair of rookie studs, Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith. Carter was the top player in this year’s draft who dropped to the reigning NFC champion due to maturity and off-field concerns.
The Giants rewarded Daniel Jones’ mediocre play last season with a $40 million annual salary while playing hardball with their best offensive weapon – Saquon Barkley. Jones has developed into a solid running quarterback but has yet to prove he is an elite passer. New York has enough talent to fight for a wild card spot but is not in the same tier as the Cowboys and Eagles. The Commanders will trot out second-year quarterback Sam Howell in a division with a trio of stingy defensive units. That’s not good news for Washington fanatics.
NFC North
Minnesota Vikings (10-7)*
Chicago Bears (9-8)
Detroit Lions (8-9)
Green Bay Packers (8-9)
The Lions are the consensus pick this season to win their first division title in three decades. However, I like the Vikings to claim their second straight NFC North crown. Minnesota should have little trouble scoring points, and new defensive coordinator Brian Flores will upgrade one of the league’s worst units a year ago.
Detroit posted a 9-8 record in 2022 and will open Week 1 with high expectations. But Jared Goff remains a quarterback with more questions than answers, and the Lions’ youthful defense is still a year or two away from becoming a solid group.
2023 may be Justin Fields’ coming-out party. The Bears acquired D.J. Moore in a trade for the top pick in this year’s draft and added several veteran defensive playmakers. If Fields becomes a consistent threat throwing the football downfield, Chicago will be in the race for the division title. The Jordan Love era has begun in Green Bay, but the Packers have a myriad of questions on both sides of the football.
NFC South
New Orleans Saints (10-7)*
Atlanta Falcons (8-9)
Carolina Panthers (6-11)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-12)
Despite an incompetent head coach who is a better fit as a defensive coordinator, the Saints are the favorites to win their first division title since 2020. New Orleans added veteran quarterback Derek Carr and still boasts an above-average defensive unit. Carr and the Saints should roll into the playoffs in a weak division with no marquee signal-callers.
The youthful Falcons will try to run their way into the postseason with top draft pick Bijan Robinson, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Tyler Allgeier. Second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder has attempted just 115 passes and will need tight end Kyle Pitts to regain his rookie form when he caught 68 passes for 1,026 yards.
The Panthers will be starting 2023 top overall pick Bryce Young at quarterback, while the Buccaneers will choose between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask. The NFC North will be a one-horse race that does not include Atlanta, Carolina, or Tampa Bay.
NFC West
Seattle Seahawks (11-6)*
San Francisco 49ers (10-7)**
Los Angeles Rams (8-9)
Arizona Cardinals (3-14)
The 49ers are the favorite of most pundits, but I like the Seahawks. Geno Smith is the reigning Comeback Player of the Year and has an assortment of offensive weapons to post even better numbers this season.
Brock Purdy is the darling of the national media and will get the starting nod for San Francisco. However, he reminds me of the over-hyped Mac Jones in 2021. Purdy will either get injured or benched this season, and the 49ers’ quarterback woes will continue for a second straight year.
The Rams desperately need quarterback Matthew Stafford and wideout Cooper Kupp to stay off the injured list in 2023. However, Los Angeles needs more talent to contend for the NFC West crown. The Cardinals are rebuilding and will challenge for the top pick in next year’s draft.
NFC Playoffs
1. Cowboys 2. Seahawks 3. Vikings 4. Saints 5. Eagles 6. 49ers 7. Giants
Wild card round: Seahawks over Giants, 49ers over Vikings, Eagles over Saints
Divisional round: Cowboys over 49ers, Eagles over Seahawks
NFC Championship Game: Cowboys over Eagles
Note: * indicates division champion, ** indicates wild card team
