This is another low-scoring instant classic, but Joe Burrow returns the favor once and for all. Kansas City hasn't scored fewer than 24 points in a game since Week 9 against the Titans, and the lack of a star wide receiver hasn't impacted Patrick Mahomes, who's on his way to his second NFL MVP. Edward Sutelan: Vikings. Who is the top MVP candidate? The same goes for the Dolphins, who were looking like one of the best teams in football when Tagovailoa was at his best. After a rough opening week (and let's remember he was coming off a preseason ruptured appendix), Burrow returned to his calm and cool playmaking style, ultimately leading his team to eight straight wins in the back half of the regular season. Matt Lutovsky:Cowboys. Sign me up. It's not an easy one to make when he has hardly played. Each prediction would be a good thing for the Browns and would ultimately help them compete. Hurts' 2022 season was pivotal as it determined he was capable of being a franchise quarterback. This is a dangerous football team, and Allen is at the head of it. Even though Kansas Citys wide receiver corps lacks the star power of several other playoff teams, its found a nice 1-2 punch at RB with Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon to go along with All-World TE Travis Kelce. They have two of the top 18 picks in the draft and a pretty solid salary-cap situation, so I'm curious to see what kinds of reinforcements they bring in as they attempt to take the next step. The Bills have gotten a majority of the headlines and hype this year, and deservedly so. Justin Jefferson is more than capable of putting a team on his back, but how many times can he do it? Are there too many holes to patch? The Bills refused to rest on their laurels this offseason, while the Dolphins and Jets significantly improved their respective rosters. Sure, this might seem like an obvious choice, but the 49ers have been to two consecutive NFC Championship Games only to lose to teams that were simply healthier than they were at the time. For as weak as the NFC South is, it's also possible this team's good fortune as a run-heavy, weird matchup team doesn't lead to as many wins as last year, even if they improved their talent. All right, this might be a mayhem pick, but I'm trying to will it into existence. AFC vs NFC Teams on BYE NONE Draft Order NFL First Round Draft Order I love what they did this offseason, turning a very questionable roster into a Titans-lite type of team that can be physical in the run game and efficient from a passing standpoint. We saw the Lions show their teeth in 2022. Roll your eyes all you want, but choosing whether to keep Justin Fields and trade the No. The regular-season statistics are down a touch and the first-round matchup with Baltimore won't be easy, but Burrow looks ready to lead the Bengals to another Super Bowl run; one that could breakup the potential Bills-Chiefs AFC championship matchup. We see that changing next February when Josh Allen can show no moment is too big for the superstar QB. Those Joe Montana-led victories still live in Bengals fans' memories. In whats expected to be a very competitive division, we predict the Las Vegas Raiders to finish in last place. Earlier this week, our staff. Purdy won't be, though, as he recovers from elbow surgery. The Ravens and Dolphins are dealing with quarterback injuries, the Seahawks and Giants have both struggled against teams with a winning record and the Cowboys well, you saw them against the Commanders in Week 18. For the second straight year, the league's MVP will also win the Super Bowl after such a long time without it happening. There is a big decision coming at quarterback, but Shanahan has proved he can win with Jimmy Garoppolo or Brock Purdy. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and now Jaxon Smith-Njigba on offense, unless theres regression at QB, this should be a potent offense again. This is a team that will thrive with the bye week, it has an incredible defense, and a ton of depth offensively. I like the. Also, Philly went from having the easiest schedule in the NFL in 2022 to having the hardest. Let's preview the NFL playoffs by taking an expansive look at how the bracket could play out. The 49ers have five Super Bowl wins, but the Bills, despite having four appearances, have never won the big game. Dallas has proved it is a legitimate force this year, with the fourth-best DVOA and the No. Pickens has all the traits of a boundary receiver who can be isolated to win with his frame, ball skills and three-level ability. San Francisco can beat teams in many ways through the air and on the ground. With the rest of the division lacking clarity, were taking a shot on the Panthers. We like their chances to improve, thanks to a rising core featuring Breece Hall plus 2023 Rookie of the Year winners Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner. Vinnie Iyer:Bengals. The Chargers have spent capital and draft picks on getting stouter up front without a lot of hits. A division that was far better than expected a season ago should return to being a feisty competition in 2023. If the Chiefs lose, it wont be because of their offense. Defensively, Christian Wilkins and Jaelan Phillips, plus Bradley Chubb, will wreak havoc in the trenches plus now Jalen Ramsey can clean things up in the secondary. Its tough to pick against Kansas City and Cincinnati knows what it takes to get through the AFC but Buffalo has been the most complete team in the AFC all season. A very easy selection for me at the top: Buffalo might be "down" after failing to beat the Chiefs again, but this roster is still loaded and -- last I checked -- Josh Allen is still very, very good. If he can reel that in and make good decisions, no one is going to topple Buffalo this season, and they're finally going to bring the Lombardi to Western New York. Way-too-early NFL Power Rankings: Where do the Super Bowl champs land? The 2022-23 regular season schedule has been released, and it may be a good idea to start looking at NFL futures bets. 2023 NBA Finals: Odds, picks, betting tips for Heat-Nuggets Game 1. . That includes Jalen Hurts, who exploded into a superstar in his second year as an NFL starter. It's a high-risk, high-reward scenario that can often end games with a quarterback sack or give up big plays late. In his past six games, London averaged 8.6 targets and 76.2 receiving yards, giving us a glimpse of what is to come. It's not the most aesthetically pleasing win of Andy Reid's career, but the champagne tastes just as sweet. Brown will be back and only heading into their second seasons together. Walder: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs. It will be difficult for them to survive and advance right from the jump. Not to mention, the losses of J.J. Watt (retirement) and DeAndre Hopkins (release) wont help matters either. Matt Lutovsky:Bills over Eagles. Anything under -200 should be considered a good bet with how the Chiefs operate. 'Humbled' Shane Ray hopes to complete four-year NFL comeback with Bills, Brady says he's 'certain' he's not playing again, Falcons expecting Pitts to be ready for season, 'I love guarantees': Bills' Miller (ACL) targets W1, McDaniels: 'No anxiety' over Raiders' QB situation, Cowboys' Pollard says he'll be cleared for camp, Three-time Pro Bowl punter Kern retires from NFL, Bears CB Johnson says his OTA absence to end, Pats' Slater rips kickoff rule, doubts NFL motives. It really can't be overstated enough. 3 seed, they have to first beat a divisional rival and then may face the Bills and Chiefs to get through the conference. Then again, it wouldnt feel great picking the 49ers with a rookie QB. Joe Rivera:Vikings. We see the Lions becoming a ferocious force on both sides of the ball as long as the defense can take a leap. Bowen: George Pickens, WR, Steelers. To beat Kansas City, it's all about matching them punch for punch. That said, there are enough dynamic playmakers that can take over a game like CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons. This year, Aiyuk has had a career-best year, setting a career-high in touchdowns (8) and has been insanely consistent all year. The AFC South is expected to be the worst division in the NFL in 2023. Third-year pro, The Chiefs have rebuilt their pass rush with. Coach Dan Campbell has the franchise headed in the right direction, and while Jared Goff's career output has been inconsistent, he has a terrific offensive supporting cast. The argument for the Chiefs is right there and in your face, but the Bills have the 1-2-3 punch of Diggs-Davis-Knox, with Isaiah McKenzie tossed in for good measure. The Chiefs' linebacker group is dynamic after adding. Kevin Skiver: Chargers. San Francisco finds a way to win a thrilling showdown with Philadelphia and advance to its second Super Bowl in five years. San Francisco is the most complete team in the conference, even ahead of the No. Bill Bender:Talanoa Hufanga. Nicholas Plowfield. What should we expect from the Jaguars and Texans? If Carr can quickly find success in an offense featuring Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas, and Chris Olave, this could be a vastly improved team after the offseason. The late game is the third meeting in the last seven weeks between Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles and Daniel Jones and the upstart New York Giants. Are the Titans moving in reverse? Micah Parsons presence should keep opponents up at night, even in the offseason. . It helps all the edge options to be playing next to the team's best pass rusher. AFC West: Can Chargers challenge Chiefs stronghold? Justin Fields flashed his talent a season ago, and were expecting a much better offensive line and skill position group to join his effort heading into his third year with D.J. If hes hurt, theyre not. The Dallas Cowboys expect excellence every year, but they dont always deliver. I'll simplify this: The Chiefs have the best QB in the league, and the 49ers have the best roster when examining the non-QB players in place. Orlovsky: Super Bowl LVII was best game I've seen Jalen Hurts play (1:31). I thought about Herbert, but Mahomes has to be the most likely. But I consider it Burrow's year to finally win. The Chiefs are the defending Super Bowl champions and even though they dealt with some attrition, they still have Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, which puts them in the pole position to dominate this division yet again. What's the key to another deep playoff run for the Bengals? Can McDaniels provide an edge? But the Falcons continue leaning into their top-five rushing attack with the selection of Bijan Robinson. While a lot is bound to change from early May to the start of each game, our experts broke down every team's schedule, predicting game-by-game results. This time, Higgins plays the role of John Taylor and catches the game-winning TD in the final minutes. Matt Lutovsky:Eagles. Its tough to pick against the 49ers here, but Philadelphias league-leading 70 sacks really stand out when digging through the stats. A tight cap crunch has led to a few veterans departing in the offseason too, but Justin Jefferson keeps them as repeat division winners. With, I am concerned about what the receiver group looks like if, At least the Chiefs have bodies, if not a true X receiver. There are stars like. Ryan Tannehill can get you to the playoffs, but how much further? Joe Rivera:Cowboys. Look, they rank No. Kevin Skiver:Bills. This is a team no longer as reliant on big plays as it was last year, and that now can just attack down the field and put together draining, meticulous drives. Which brings us to division title and wild-card picks, essentially my "way too early" playoff picks. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Justin Herbert is already one of the best young quarterbacks in football, and hes only now embarking on his fourth season. It's a dangerous spot. Sportsnaut predicts that the San Francisco 49ers will defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game, while the Buffalo Bills top the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game. Joe Rivera:Brandon Aiyuk. So much of the Chargers' success depends on how much. It's simple. If ever there was a rookie tight end who could contribute immediately, Head coach Josh McDaniels loves players that can line up in a variety of ways. Jacob Camenker: Bengals. Matt Lutovsky:Chiefs. Matt Lutovsky:Eagles. NFL Network's Adam Rank predicts Philadelphia Eagles' 2023 schedule in a segment on 'NFL Total Access'. Who'll be QB1 for the Steelers? The rest of the defense looks average, without huge strengths or weaknesses. Is $21 million in cap space enough for Cowboys to sign DeAndre Hopkins? They have a youthful core that has completely bought into the program, and we could see a Lion-sized leap once again. In this case, don't pick against the No. As long as Patrick Mahomes and coach Andy Reid are there, it's foolish to think of anyone else as the Super Bowl favorite from the AFC. They made the decision to move on from Derek Carr, but is Jimmy Garoppolo really an improvement at QB? In the Super Bowl, he had 304 passing yards and 70 rushing yards against the Chiefs, and he should be even more calibrated with his supporting cast in 2023. Early Power Rankings for 2023 season Rebuild index: Tiering each team Ranking top 50 free agents Offseason guide for all 32 teams Bill Bender: 49ers. There are three teams that feel like they have a real shot at winning the AFC: the Chiefs, Bills and Bengals. While we have our typical Super Bowl favorites and long shots, there are several roster moves that will have massive implications throughout the offseason, which will surely impact the playoff picture. Aiyuk will have his work cut out for him in the wild card game against rookie sensation Tariq Woolen, but it's hard to shadow against the 49ers offense. Tristan H. Cockcroft, fantasy football analyst: Bengals over 49ers. Brandon Schlager is an assistant managing editor at The Sporting News. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are an electric duo that has proven difficult to slow down. Edward Sutelan:Bengals over 49ers. Bell: Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals. Are the Jaguars set to repeat as division champions? With a stronger running game, deeper defense, and potential neutral-site AFC Championship game, this will be the year Buffalo finally puts it all together and brings home the Lombardi Trophy. Check Out: Watch the NFL on one of these amazing 80-inch 4k smart TVs. Cowboys' Pollard says he's cleared for camp, 'faster', Falcons expect Kyle Pitts to be ready Week 1, Bears hit tax issue with potential new stadium, Contract-year breakouts: Players ready to hit it big, 7 teams who could fall out of playoff picture, Report: Russell Wilson nixed deal to Eagles in 2022, Hopkins sends cryptic tweet as 4 teams rule out inking WR, Bears renewing search for stadium site after tax issue, Reports: Patriots interested in Hopkins; WR eyes Texans. They have multiple matchup nightmares and control the line of scrimmage. Are we sleeping on the Giants and Commanders? Hufanga averaged six tackles in San Franciscos last five games. That, of course, includes the Packers. Having won their second Super Bowl in four years, the Chiefs are hard to fade with Mahomes under center. The Bengals are going to face a tough path to get to the Super Bowl in the loaded AFC. More free agency | More draft . Jalen Hurts is a threat with his legs, but a lot of damage is done by the Eagles' offensive line, which is excellent at opening holes for Hurts, Miles Sanders, Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott. NFL playoff picks, predictions for 2023 AFC, NFC brackets and Super Bowl 57, Sporting News' predictions from the preseason. 2 defense, and plenty of stars on both sides of the ball that can take over a game in big moments. With Rodgers officially on board, we see this team fighting for a Wild Card spot, at the very least. Are the Rams moving in reverse? Don't blame me! NFL free agency officially begins on March 15, roughly six weeks before the league holds the 2023 NFL draft. NFL experts predict: Who wins next year's Super Bowl? Plus, given all the fantastic feedback I've gotten from satisfied readers how could I not??? Fred Warner and Charvarius Ward might be the best pairing of linebackers in the nation. Dan Orlovsky and Domonique Foxworth break down Jalen Hurts' spectacular four-touchdown performance in the Eagles' loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII. Buffalo is a team that has done nothing but pick up steam this year, and it deserves credit for that. The difference between Las Vegas and San Francisco is the offensive line and the scheme. Jacob Camenker:Eagles. They are 11-0 in those games, but that should tell you that they're just a single turnover away from things going south. Given another year of development and with quarterback Kenny Pickett, Pickens should play a difference-making role in '23. San Francisco stops the run better than any other playoff team, but Philadelphias ability to pressure QBs will help it force turnovers and keep offenses off-schedule. Twitter (again @WillBrinson, come for the yelling, stay for the witty humor) wasn't much better, although it was mostly Browns fans screaming about my giving them a 7-10 record. There are a lot of qualifiers here, but Dallas has put 40 points on the Eagles and Vikings this season. NFL Media, Los Angeles Chargers join forces with the Brotherhood Crusade to inform the youth . The NFL playoffs begin this weekend with six games. I've still got the Bengals squeaking it out, although in very narrow fashion with the Ravens projecting as the top wild-card team in the AFC. Purdy will keep slinging it at high level, set up well by McCaffrey, his other weapons and his blocking. Charvarius Ward, Jimmie Ward and Emmanuel Moseley are capable of locking down just about any receiving corps. Eric Moody, fantasy football analyst: Chiefs over 49ers. It's hard to find a true weakness on that unit and that's part of why defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is expected to be one of the hottest coaching candidates on the market this offseason. Bowen: Jets. The NFC North is sinking fast. While having a great coach is important, talent trumps coaching. Boasting the most cap space in the NFL heading into the offseason, plus the ninth overall pick, weve seen the Chicago Bears improve the roster in a major way. Last year my good friend Jason La Canfora managed to hit on six of his eight division winners (only the Rams and Colts cost him a sweep), although his wild-card record left something to be desired. They barely edged out the Giants on Christmas Eve, and while their mettle is impressive, that one-possession game record becomes a lot more tenuous in the playoffs. Okoronkwo flashed with a 19% pass rush win rate off the edge (13th-best) on a bad Houston team, yielding five sacks. Kansas City's offense proves too good and too creative for the 49ers, and the Chiefs D, which has often risen to the occasion under Steve Spagnuolo, get to Brock Purdy early and often. While the Texans hit rock bottom offensively and defensively last season, DeMeco Ryans, another young former player turned coach, makes them intriguing. The Tennessee Titans could very well reclaim their division lead next season, as key contributors such as Derrick Henry and Jeffery Simmons are set to return. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories | Joe Burrow gets his first Super Bowl. Yet a very strong draft class could completely alter Pittsburghs outlook. Like several other teams, the Indianapolis Colts dont know what they have with Anthony Richardson, which makes their 2023 season outlook incredibly difficult to predict. People questioned the Chiefs last year, and it worked out poorly for those JABRONIS. I sort of felt like I'd be down on them and higher on Minnesota and Green Bay and yet the numbers don't lie. Will the Colts surprise in 2023? The 49ers and . Dallas has a championship defense, and adding a wide receiver like Michael Thomas -- a potential salary-cap casualty in New Orleans -- could help its balance. Edward Sutelan:Christian McCaffrey. Kevin Skiver: Josh Allen. Now that the Jacksonville Jaguars have stolen the AFC South division crown, Trevor Lawrence and Doug Pederson are here to stay. There's little doubt about this one. We asked a panel of 10 NFL experts for their early picks. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, at He'll need to because the Raiders barely touched the offensive line. Bill Bender: Bengals over 49ers. Edward Sutelan: Chiefs. If Baltimore can have a top-ten defense for the seventh time in the past eight seasons, watch out. That alone gives the Saints a high floor. Someone got mad at me for putting the Raiders in fourth place here they've finished second three times since 2003 and haven't won the division since 2002, so maybe settle down on demanding I think the Raiders will be great this season. . Put Joe Burrow on top of all that, and you have another Super Bowl run. The Chiefs beat the Jaguars in Week 10 in Kansas City, 27-17 and we expect a . Jeudy and Sutton were, The talent is distributed unevenly for defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. Kevin Skiver:Brandon Aiyuk not Deebo Samuel has been one of the 49ers' most effective weapons so far this season. Allen will be the key. The offensive line has taken some hits, but Joe Burrow is getting the ball out quick to the most talented receiving corps in the league, and always seems to find ways to win. With more recovery time under his belt and a chance to work with the team through OTAs and training camp this year, Williams will be a star in a potent Lions offense. The Washington Commanders are hard to buy into. Just like the Jags, the Lions surprised me with how high they finished in my model here. 5 Los Angeles Chargers at No. 2 Buffalo Bills. The AFC features several trustworthy offenses, but only Kansas City has Patrick Mahomes. Edward Sutelan:Cowboys. Detroit's got a HUGE game to start the season against Kansas City; I'm more worried about how the Lions recover from that matchup (win or lose) than how they perform in Arrowhead with a pair of huge home conference games looming immediately afterwards. They have two first-round picks, meaning we could see a nine-win team improve again in 2023. Your guide to the 2023 WCWS: X factors, expert picks and the biggest challenge facing OU. If a different quarterback had these weapons, there would be cries about a lack of talent. Related: Top 25 remaining NFL free agents and ideal landing spots. What should we expect from the Texans and Titans? We may be foolish to ignore the greatest coach of all time or doubt his ability to improve upon a third-place finish in the AFC East, but this is a division featuring a lot of talent. Check out the AFC West breakdowns below. Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald are both top-five players at their positions and if Matthew Stafford can stay healthy too, why cant the 2022 Super Bowl winners become a contender again? Karlaftis was solid, if unspectacular, as a rookie. Yet they combined for nine wins this season at the bottom of the NFC West. Stroud and Anthony Richardson plus a projected top-five pick (by some) in Will Levis lined up to run these offenses for the next little bit. Some may scoff at the notion of the Vikings losing to the Giants, a team that is 2-7 against teams with a winning record, but in truth, they aren't much worse than Minnesota. How do the lineups compare for the Bills, Dolphins, Jets and Patriots after an offseason jam-packed with personnel moves? How much could largely depend on how a Brian Flores-led defense can quickly turn around a unit that allowed the second-most passing yards and fifth-most points per game in 2022. Cockcroft: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars. Now that theyve added a gamechanging weapon with Darren Waller, this team be viewed as a returning playoff contender. The Bills are 4-0 in home playoff games under coach Sean McDermott, while the Bengals won two playoff road games in 2021. Should the Lions be considered the favorites in the NFC North? The 49ers are one because of their defense, but no rookie quarterback has ever won a Super Bowl. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Pairing Sean Payton with Russell Wilson teams up two future Hall of Famers, and were betting the veteran duo turns this dead-last scoring offense around with a reinforced offensive line. Update update More more_vert NFL 2023 - 2024 Season calendar_today show_chart stacked_bar_chart leaderboard source settings Weekly Actions more_vert Week 1: Sep 7th - Sep 11th Feeling confident about your picks? It's hard not pick the Eagles here because of their record-setting pass rush that features four players with 10 or more sacks. It's hard to find a potential contender in the NFC that could truly challenge Philadelphia. It helps they wont have to go into Arrowhead should they face the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game, too. If the QB situation is a problem, San Francisco can still be a playoff team for sure in a weakened NFC, but the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl is gonna be tough. Were also banking on Mike McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoas high-powered scoring attack to pick up where they left off when the Miami Dolphins were sailing smoothly in 2022. Reid: 49ers. McDaniels fans could fairly point out the Raiders scored well enough in both. I fully expect Detroit to be the most popular sleeper team this offseason. How many years in a row is Steve Spagnuolo going to take cornerbacks you don't know well and make them extremely productive? Stephania Bell, fantasy football analyst: 49ers over Bengals. Check out The Arizona Republic's picks and predictions for each game on the NFL playoffs Super Wild Card. Below are Sporting News' predictions for the 2023 NFL playoffs, complete with updated Super Bowl 57 picks, as NFL experts Vinnie Iyer, Bill Bender, Matt Lutovsky, Joe Rivera, Jacob. Bill Bender: 49ers. The hiring of Todd Monken to run the Ravens' offense was great news for Bateman. Brock Purdy is going to continue his Garoppolo-esque play into the playoffs, and the offense will rely on a heavy dose of Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell to help them control the clock. The exciting rookie out of Alabama didn't make his season debut until Week 13 after recovering from a torn ACL, but he gave us a glimpse of what could be in Week 14 when he scored a 41-yard TD against the Vikings in just his second NFL game. We look at our predictions for the NFL Playoff bracket. Jalen Hurts' health is the only concern. Imagine Chase with another offseason under his belt? When the Dolphins had Tua Tagovailoa on the field this season, they generated 0.13 expected points added per play -- slightly better than the Bills did with Josh Allen on the field (0.12). Bill Bender: Bills. Theyre telling us that 2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell could very well be the starter at QB, but does anyone think that will lead to more success? Minnesota has played in 11, one-score games this year. Gregg Rosenthal projects the starters for every team in the division. London is a huge receiver who can separate from defenders and make contested catches, and he will be one of the Falcons' most important players in 2023 with Desmond Ridder under center. It's the quarterback. Over on Instagram (follow me @WillBrinson if you want to yell at me for my picks! With NFL+, stay connected throughout the rest of the NFL offseason with special content from Training Camp, Hall of Fame, and more! Kyle Shanahan is having a ton of fun with his ideal array of personnel. Spoiler, Browns fans: You don't win the division below! The AFC is a little more up-in-the-air for me, with as many as six teams looking like pretty good candidates to win, whereas the 49ers are one of the few truly well-rounded NFC teams. MORE NFL PLAYOFFS: AFC & NFC bracket | TV schedule | Wild-card predictions. San Francisco might very well be the best team in the NFL, so this pick isnt necessarily a knock on them. Is Travis Kelce still the best tight end on the planet? 4 Jacksonville Jaguars, 8:15 p.m., NBC Line: Jaguars +2.5 | Total: 47.5 Philadelphia has a complete offense and big-play defense, so the pieces are in place for a deep run. Do the Packers want to take another approach under center? But first, they have to get there, which didnt work out so well in 2023. Coach Carroll seems to get the most out of his roster, and the Seahawks could benefit from a weaker schedule should the Cardinals and Rams flutter. Mahomes is the league's best player, and both Reid and general manager Brett Veach are at the top of their fields. We like the home teams on wild-card weekend. Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst: Chiefs over 49ers. Clay: Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles. So long as Jalen Hurts remains healthy, they are the team to beat on that side of the bracket. Don't blame coordinator Patrick Graham if it doesn't work and give him a ton of credit if they are average. With the ongoing Rodgers saga, the Packers are absolutely fascinating. Vinnie Iyer:Christian McCaffrey. The Bengals have lost to three NFC West teams in the Super Bowl. Burrow will have another great playoff run and bring it well vs. the 49ers, but the 49ers' defense makes a few more key plays as the Bengals fall to the NFC West champions in a close one for a second straight year. 1 seeds in both conferences (Titans and Packers). Early Super Bowl picks | Early MVP picks Edward Sutelan: 49ers. Moore now on board. Despite their impressive record, it doesnt feel great picking Philadelphia here. Staley needs to get this group to average and hope the offense dominates, much like the Chiefs. Ahead of the 2023 season, Sports Illustrated has made multiple Cleveland Browns-related predictions. With this roster, Lance could shine. Jump to a topic: I thought this would be the Super Bowl LVII matchup, so it's just being deferred a year. If healthy, he is primed for a 1,200-yard season. Burrow has been playing on another level during Cincinnati's eight-game winning streak, and reads defenses like few in the league. The NFC East was the best division in football last season -- and it could be set for a repeat Yates: Packers. (Note: Division winners are in bold; wild-card teams have an asterisk.). Gregg Rosenthal projects the starters for every AFC South team. The 49ers have so much talent and depth, and Shanahan is as good as it gets with the X's and O's. But the 2022 playoff bracket is a chance to start fresh. Pick: Seattle +10 No. That gives the Eagles a slight edge over their AFC counterpart. 'Nuff said. This offensive line looks excellent? Bill Bender: Cowboys. McCaffrey has over 1,200 scrimmage yards in San Francisco. But they may need to find a way to improve at the QB position to become legitimate contenders. The San Francisco 49ers have a playoff roster. 1 and trade Fields is a real decision. The three others Rams (5-12), Colts (4-12-1) and Broncos (5-12) were among our biggest whiffs. They nearly beat the Vikings in Week 15 will have a chance to pull off the upset. The Bengals' well-rounded makeup can help them repeat as AFC champions. Reid: Trey Lance, QB, 49ers. Here are Sporting News' picks for the wild-card round: NFL playoff picks, predictions for 2023. I won't give up on a player with his raw talent, and I think a massive 2023 is in store. In our picks and predictions for 2023 NFL championship games, Joe Burrow and the Bengals prove they are the Chiefs' ultimate foil once again while the Brock Purdy-led 49ers extend their improbable . San Francisco will make it difficult for just about any offense. Who will hoist the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LVIII? Hurts' dual-threat role has allowed 38 passing and 23 rushing TDs over the past two seasons, and it's possible we've yet to see the 24-year-old's best work. And his strong finish to 2022 signals that's probably on the way in 2023. Related: 12 highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL. Chicago Bears. Winning the AFC West division every year since 2016, we dont see the Kansas City Chiefs suddenly falling flat in 2023. (1:31). Tannenbaum: Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers. Mahomes and great coaching is a powerful formula. ), I've been called "dry trash," a "" and a "doofus." How will the lineups shake out for the Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders after a wild offseason of personnel moves? Bills, Chiefs, Eagles produce highest win-share projections, Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo underwent foot surgery after March signing, might not practice until training camp, This season is about whether Sean Payton can fix, If Wilson's struggles continue, it wouldn't be a surprise to see backup, The Broncos spent big in free agency on right tackle, That depth will protect the Broncos from injuries and inspire trade talks. And even though the Kansas City Chiefs were just crowned the Super Bowl LVII champions on Sunday, we are already looking ahead to next year's title game in Las Vegas -- and how the 2023 season might play out. Being that they were just 3-8 with him last season, we cant justify placing the Cardinals anywhere but in last place of the NFC West. That choice will have massive ramifications and set the direction of the franchise for years to come. Kevin Skiver: Bills. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2023 season! Bruce Arians' departure is still being felt. Cincinnati repeats as AFC champions. Bill Bender: Vikings. While several winning pieces are already on the roster, with Davante Adams, Josh Jacobs, and Maxx Crosby, theyll have to work even harder with Darren Waller no longer in town. As the No. All Rights Reserved. The Eagles' 2023 schedule will be much tougher than it was during their Super Bowl run this season, but this is a legitimately good roster that figures to return a majority of its star/cornerstone players. The Lions were a surprisingly competitive team last season and are a sleeper contender for a deep playoff run depending upon how their draft and free agency run shakes out. But even so, Patrick Mahomes isnt going anywhere, and hell still be just 28 this season, meaning hes not about to lose any velocity on his fastball. But a bye week should do him well. Kevin Skiver:49ers. Joe Rivera:49ers. The Steelers were definitely close to being a wild-card team in my model; Matt Canada is very meh but I like what they've done to the roster. The 2022 NFL regular season has come and gone, and the playoffs have arrived. On top of being the teams with the most playoff experience, the rosters are loaded, led by their star quarterbacks. In a rematch of Super Bowl 54, the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes take another win. After having multiple surgeries on his right ankle, Lance is expected to be ready for OTAs. Either way, whos stepping up at receiver aside from Christian Watson? It's the third time the franchises will meet in a Super Bowl with a cool top quarterback named Joe involved. They barely escaped their Week 16 home game against the Giants, their opening opponent. This leaves the Steelers in last place, almost by default. The NFL playoffs' wild-card round schedule for the 2022 season is stacked with great matchups, and we've got you covered with what you need to know for games on Sunday and Monday. So, the Eagles should be expected to emerge from the NFC even after their performance dipped in the final few weeks of the season. What could set them back is if their rushing attack fails to gain traction again, not to mention the strength of their division in addition to a couple of big losses on defense, including Bobby Wagner and Jalen Ramsey. The rookie has come on strong in the second half of the season for the Bills. Who will win the Super Bowl and MVP? The 2023 NFL playoffs have gone from 14 teams alive for Super Bowl 57 to only eight. It wouldn't take much to happen for them to be on the wrong end of a rematch. OK, so maybe calling him a star is a bit of a stretch, but since joining the Giants in Week 10, he has caught 33 passes for 351 yards and four touchdowns. Another division that's just wide open. Well see Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask compete for the starting role, which could go either way. A unique talent, Hurts also benefits from the Eagles' creative yet aggressive offense. While Bosa has been one of the best at pressuring quarterbacks, the 49ers lack a true second weapon to get after the quarterback like the Rams had last year in both Aaron Donald and Von Miller. Eleven of Minnesota's 13 wins have come by one score. 2022-23 NFL Team Odds to Make Playoffs and Predictions. In. Landing the No. Whether it's Robert Saleh, DeMeco Ryans, Robert Ryans, DeMeco Saleh, Jack Ryan, Ryan Reynolds, it just does not matter. Below are Sporting News' predictions for the 2023 NFL playoffs, complete with updated Super Bowl 57 picks, as NFL experts Vinnie Iyer, Bill Bender, Matt Lutovsky, Joe Rivera, Jacob Camenker, Edward Sutelan and Kevin Skiver weigh in on the bracket, taking into account what we learned about all 14 playoff teams over the course of the season. But as of now, Caesars Sportsbook has the Chiefs (+550) as the favorites for Super Bowl LVIII, followed by the San Francisco 49ers (+600). Although the 49ers have the roster they need, having a healthy starting quarterback for an entire season could transform them into a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Predicting the Worst-Case Scenario for the Falcons' 2023 NFL Season. Dak Prescott will have to overcome his sudden interception habit, and perhaps vet receiver Brandin Cooks can take some pressure off, but how the team adapts to Mike McCarthy calling plays could be interesting. Is this the best supporting cast yet for Lamar Jackson in Baltimore? Will it. Nick Bosa might be the Defensive Player of the Year. Is Will Levis or Malik Willis the solution? Making things even scarier for this team is that Isiah Pacheco has emerged as a legitimate weapon on the ground with 830 rushing yards on 170 carries and five touchdowns. Jan 12, 2023 In this story: Buffalo Bills San Francisco 49ers Philadelphia Eagles Kansas City Chiefs Cincinnati Bengals Another regular season has come and gone. The Cowboys are a talented bunch. How adding DE Myles Murphy bolsters Bengals' pass rush. Bell: Raiders. Angry optimism runs red through the NFL streets, my friends. San Francisco, however, isn't new to the playoffs. The NFL offseason is here. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft completely altered the Cincinnati Bengals direction as a franchise. Head over to the Playoff Bracket AFC Away Home vs NFC Away Home Teams on BYE NONE Draft Order NFL First Round Draft Order file_upload Upload Bracket Supporting the site you love Not seeing ads for the duration of your subscription; or Gaining absolution for using an adblocker Moody: Drake London, WR, Falcons. They have uncertainty about only that one position, but if the 49ers get the QB room figured out, watch out. Tampa Bay can prove me wrong but it's still dealing with the fallout from winning a Super Bowl with Tom Brady and going all-in on trying to chase a second one in 2021/2022. There's a chance Tom Coughlin becomes an unlikely featured player in the run-up to a world championship showdown between the team he brought to glory and the one he helped make a punchline. Kyle Shanahan has coached in six playoff games with the 49ers, and they have allowed 18 points per game. Just like in 2022, the Colts are a team that could go either way. The 49ers haven't lost since Week 7, and might be the most complete team on either side of the ball. He does it all for the Bills, especially in the postseason, and if Buffalo can finally break through and reach the Super Bowl, it will be on the strength of Allens arm and legs. What can a group that gets Jameson Williams on the field for 11 games in 2023, plus Aidan Hutchinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Jack Campbell added into the mix, do this season? The Cardinals are the worst team in football and it's not particularly close for me. Vinnie Iyer:Chargers. It will set the stage for an interesting Super Bowl LVIII between two teams who have much different histories in the championship game. Our Bears Wire staff are sharing their game picks for this weekend's slate of divisional round action: NFL playoff predictions: Game picks for the divisional round Free Agency NFL Draft. Here's a full odds list for all 32 teams heading into the 2023-24 season: Kansas City Chiefs: +600 . This is not the most complete roster in football, but there's every reason to believe the Chiefs will compete for another title. Their growth wont happen overnight. With a relentless pass rush, a linebacker corps that flies to the ball, and a secondary that was tied for the league lead in interceptions despite giving up yards, and you have a defense tailor-made for the playoffs. Howie Roseman will go back to the drawing board and set the Eagles up to compete for another title in Super Bowl 58. The Jags not only reached the playoffs a season ago, but they also got their first playoff win since 2017. San Francisco has been outstanding this year, and were tops in the league in both yards and points allowed. Weve seen teams have to fight to get over the hump in the past, and the Bills seem like the latest example. Maybe this is finally the year Dallas goes on a run. Similarly, the Bengals have most of the core still in place for 2023, as well as an elite, franchise QB in Burrow. All the buzz and attention is on a Mahomes-Allen rematch, but that's forgetting Joe Burrow is right there with them in the conversation as the AFC's best QB and just made a successful run with a lesser team last season. The Falcons are MY TEAM this year, for better or for worse it seems. 1 Eagles. Ranking the NFL's top 50 free agents: Who will get big-money deals this offseason. He finished with over 1,000 yards in the regular season despite three different starting quarterbacks, and he's been a constant in the 49ers passing game. Whos to say their claws wont become sharper in coach Campbells third season? Bill Bender: Bengals. Joe Rivera:Christian McCaffrey. Published April 29, 2023 Predicting NFL playoff bracket and Super Bowl 2024 winner Andrew Buller-Russ Super Bowl 2023: The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl. Monken, while the offensive coordinator at Georgia, set his wide receivers up for success with a ton of slants and inside routes. Kevin Skiver:Eagles. These teams nearly met in the Super Bowl last season. This could be one of his better groups with homegrown (mostly late) picks and depth. Not only is he the best passer, but he also has a knack for making big plays on the ground. We dont know what to expect from the Green Bay Packers in 2023. He has been frustrating fantasy players everywhere since he was taken in the first round in 2020, but Aiyuk has largely been in Deebo Samuel's shadow. The Bengals have never been AFC North champs for three straight seasons. This one feels like cheating after we saw Fields experience a minibreakout (certainly from a fantasy standpoint) during the 2022 season, but he's a candidate to make a giant leap in his third pro season. Yet, the Houston Texans will have a direct impact on that outcome. The Eagles are one of two playoff teams to fall in the top 10 of passing yards and rushing yards per game. That's the specialty of Bateman, who has flashed WR1 potential. Burrow says his window to win Super Bowls is his whole career, and he notches No. They won't wind up with the first pick in the . Is Andy Reid still the head coach in Kansas City? Winning 13 games a season ago in Kevin OConnells first season coaching the Minnesota Vikings, its only natural to expect some regression in 2023. Based on pure talent and proven production, there's an argument to be made that this is a bottom-five defense. Let's dive back in! The Broncos and Chargers are a little scary -- as long as Denver's flying under the radar going into the season I'll be higher on them. There are a handful of players who all inspire great confidence here. Garoppolo is a free agent again, but they brought him back last summer, and he ended up playing after Lance's injury. Super Bowl 2023: The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII for their third NFL championship in the Super Bowl era. The 2022 season was no different. Does anyone have better continuity than the Bengals? We expect that effort to continue in 2023 as Lawrence enters his third season. As a former 49ers assistant coach, Ryan is bringing in pass-game coordinator Bobby Slowik and others from San Francisco's staff. The rookie seventh-rounder hasn't just been a caretaker. This will be the popular pick, and it demeans the one-score success the Vikings had in the regular season. Tom Brady has moved on from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and there isnt a ready-made replacement on the roster. We projected the top 10 picks in next year's NFL draft: Reasons for pessimism and optimism for each team. This team has clung on by the skin of its teeth all year long, and it will continue to play in close games. This time, they finish the climb to the top. Dan Campbell and Jared Goff would love to take advantage. He had a three-game stretch in which he didn't throw a pick, then threw three in the Bills' final two games. NFL; NBA; NHL; MLB; . Gregg Rosenthal projects the starters for every team in the AFC East. San Francisco and . Ultimately, though, its tough to trust an inexperienced, rookie QB in the postseason, and the 49ers are playing a divisional opponent that knows what it takes to them. Matt Bowen, NFL analyst: Bengals over 49ers. Both teams have the rosters, coaches and recent playoff experience to navigate the path to Las Vegas, as long as they can each stay healthy. Purdy and QB play had been the question mark, but that's no longer the case. Accordingly, Sporting News' predictions from the preseasonwere a mixed bag. Maybe their seven-win season can be built upon, but improving the defense is crucial. On Saturday, Kansas City the top seed in the AFC opens divisional playoff weekend against Jacksonville - which rallied from a 27-0 deficit in the AFC wild card round against Los Angeles.. Edward Sutelan: James Cook. People are going to rag on Dallas a lot for their offense, but the defense is what will pose a threat to the rest of the NFC. Since Brock Purdy took over under center, McCaffrey's usage has amped up even more as he's been counted on as the ole reliable playmaker. Still, down below, we dive into our early playoff predictions for the 2023-24 football season, going division by division, complete with our predicted Super Bowl outcome. Lawrence has a solid set of receivers, and that's before considering the possibility that Calvin Ridley returns to give added depth. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens should always be viewed as a threat in the AFC North. Gregg Rosenthal projects the starting rosters for the 2023 NFL season of each team in the NFC South. There's a wide gap between Mahomes and the rest of the pack. Kevin Skiver:Vikings. Playoff Picture Through 18 Weeks 1 of 7 Patrick Mahomes AP Photo/Ed Zurga AFC No. Its also hard to ignore the group of elite players returning for the Los Angeles Rams. Mahomes, though, is probably the league MVP and the Chiefs have gotten more creative than usual with their offense throughout the year to mitigate the loss of Tyreek Hill. Matt Lutovsky:49ers. This team came into the last week of the season ranked 28th in overall DVOA, which would indicate they're a worse team than the Broncos, Panthers and many other bad or average teams that missed the playoffs. He was a contender this past season and is set up for yet another huge year thanks, in part, to an elite offensive line and group of targets led by A.J. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. The 49ers should beat the Seahawks in the first round, but would it really be all that shocking if the clock strikes midnight on Brock Purdys Cinderella season? The AFC South once again represents what will likely be the worst of the conferences in terms of total performance by a division, but this is a potentially enthralling division for the long haul with three top-five picks in Trevor Lawrence, C.J. Edward Sutelan: Bengals. The 49ers' roster is loaded, and Shanahan will get it figured out at quarterback. They have the quarterback, the weapons, and the defense to get there. The Cowboys have issues of their own, as we saw in Week 18, but their road to the Super Bowl is easier than any of the other wild card teams. But I wouldn't put it past any of these teams from winning the North either -- Minnesota was a luck box last year but has a very good roster. Buffalo is the only team in the postseason who averaged more than 250 passing yards and more than 125 rushing yards during the regular season. And I think the Jets will push Buffalo here as long as Rodgers stays upright and healthy. This is going to be the coming out party for the first-rounder. Vinnie Iyer:Vikings. With Geno Smith set to return along with D.K. Joe Rivera:Chiefs. With improved quarterback play, there is simply no way that Pitts' production can be close to what it was in 2022 (just 356 yards and two TDs). We could see any team from the AFC West, and likely a few from the East as well, landing in the final Wild Card spot, but were sticking with Herbert and the Chargers. Behind the Chiefs, we like the Los Angeles Chargers to maintain their momentum from reaching the postseason a year ago. The Cowboys should have an offense capable of scoring 30 points each week, thanks to Prescott and an effective rushing attack. While the Buffalo Bills once again fell short of their Super Bowl hopes, it only serves as more fuel for Josh Allen to improve in 2023. Tannenbaum: 49ers. Bell: Jameson Williams, WR, Lions. The Eagles have been the most exciting story of the NFC this year. Gregg Rosenthal projects the starters for every team in the AFC North. I could see this linebacker group getting cooked in coverage. By retaining defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, their sixth-ranked defense should return to being a tough unit to crack. Sportbooks released odds for the winner of the next Big Game the day after Super Bowl LVII. So while it will be interesting to see who will be the Texans' starting quarterback, the good news is that Houston seems to be on the rise with a lot of talent already on the roster. The debut of the Brinson Model during Monday's full win-loss record prediction breakdownfor every single NFL team ahead of the 2023 season was such a raging success, Corporate asked me to dust off my proprietary projection process for some more fun the very next day. Gregg Rosenthal projects the starters for every AFC South team. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs welcome Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars into Arrowhead in the early game Saturday in a rematch from Week 10 (Saturday at 4:30pm ET on NBC and Peacock ). Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert. Dan Campbell is putting his stamp on the Detroit Lions, and they went from three wins to nine from 2021 to 2022. For as loaded as San Francisco is on offense, it might be even more stacked on defense. How much will Carolina's roster boost Bryce Young? Joe Rivera: Chiefs over 49ers. I could see the Raiders surviving in some other divisions, but their defensive liabilities make them the AFC West team that is least likely to make the playoffs. What should we expect from the Cardinals? He didn't quite seem to be at his best against the Giants. Moody: Texans. Jacob Camenker: Eagles. Kyle Shanahan has led this team to two NFC championship games and a Super Bowl, and knows what it takes to win. Who knows, maybe hes already on the roster with Desmond Ridder. NFL playoff predictions for 2023 season: Eagles fall, Falcons rise, plus full division and wild-card picks Will Brinson's very early playoff predictions for the 2023 NFL season By. That includes 89 yards and a touchdown in his first game against the Vikings. And it's a tough one. Related: Super Bowl odds: Every teams championship futures for 2023-24 NFL season. But right now the Jaguars look like the cream of the crop in this division, particularly if Lawrence makes a leap in his second season with Doug Pederson. Osborn. Walder: Bears. The Chiefs have had an extra week to prepare for this game, however, after getting a bye to open the NFL playoffs. Will the Falcons go against the grain with a Bijan Robinson-centered ground attack? Are the Browns and Steelers equipped for a playoff push? That'll play. Despite rumors of Andy Reid possibly walking away after his Super Bowl LVII victory, weve heard nothing on that front so far. He was made for the big spotlight and his dazzling skill set will be on full display on the biggest stage. Gregg Rosenthal projects the starters for every AFC North team. Trevor Lawrence Holds 41-0 Record On Saturdays NFL Division Playoffs Preview: SI's Predictions for the AFC and NFC Championship Games A closer look at this weekend's games, including which. -- Alaina Getzenberg Bold prediction: The Bengals will force three turnovers. Yates: Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals. The Giants shut him down in Week 16 (17 yards), so Osborn wont have an easy time in Round 1, but the dynamic receiver is coming into his own at the right time. Do that, and the defense should naturally improve even further, with less being asked of them. Check out Sportsnauts predictions, which are updated each week during the regular season, playoffs, and all offseason. Check out the AFC West breakdowns . Only the Saints have a proven quarterback, which only adds to the chaos. Get the day's big stories + fun stuff you love like mock drafts, picks and power rankings. Log in and lock them in to participate in the Leaderboard! This was easy. That defense travels, and they avenge last year's NFC championship loss by getting back to Shanahan's second Super Bowl. Look for Burrow and the Bengals to take advantage of playing an AFC title game at home, which will buoy them into the Super Bowl. Burrow was cool, calm and collected in his first Super Bowl trip last year, and he is playing at a high level once again. The NFC North has never been more wide open with Aaron Rodgers' departure. Clay: Lions. With the 2023 NFL Draft and most of free agency in the rearview, Gregg Rosenthal is projecting starting lineups for all 32 teams because that's his idea of fun. This will be Kirk Cousins' first playoff start at home for Minnesota, and they face a Giants team that can run the ball with Saquon Barkley and has also played in a bunch of close games with first-year coach Brian Daboll. Did the Ravens make enough moves to rebound from an injury-plagued 2021 season? Deshaun Watson will have a full season ahead of him, but the former Pro Bowl QB was so rusty in 2022 its hard to be sold until we see him return to top form, which is no guarantee. Here we get to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are never terrible under Mike Tomlin, with zero losing seasons in 16 years. Is Patrick Mahomes still the quarterback? Some of the throws Allen made against the Patriots were just ridiculous, he's playing some of his best football, and despite a somewhat uneven regular season, the Bills have rolled since mid-November. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. Both Seattle and L.A. are undervalued coming into 2023. All-pro receiver Davante Adams and running back Josh Jacobs (assuming he returns) are already waiting in the wings. For now I'm rolling with the Cowboys, who might actually be improved on offense with a little balance from Mike McCarthy's playcalling, something I'm sure I won't regret later. With a new offensive system in '23 under coordinator Kellen Moore, Herbert should have a stronger play-action/boot presence in the offense and see more vertical concepts, putting his physical tools to use. Why Vikings could turn to Alexander Mattison over Dalvin Cook, A day in the life of Broadway Joe Namath, octogenarian, 'You can have it all': The tricky business of building winning rosters around franchise quarterbacks, Fantasy football rankings: Eric Moody's top 200 for keeper leagues, Christian McCaffrey among veterans to trade in dynasty leagues before they fall off. Eagles fans are also very steamed up about this projection. Now that we know whos set to quarterback Dennis Allens New Orleans Saints in 2023, we see Derek Carr doing well thanks in part to what will likely be a top-10 defensive unit for the fourth consecutive season. Vinnie Iyer:49ers. Burrow has the targets around him that Allen, Herbert and even Hurts might not have in 2023. Coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers have the roster depth and multiple options at quarterback to make a run, but I'm betting on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Lou Anarumo's defense here to win the title out in Vegas. You know every NFL fanbase is delusional when Browns fans -- despite Cleveland having four seasons with eight wins or more since 1999 -- are apoplectic about a 7-10 record in May. Our final spot goes to the Seahawks for now, as they may have once again added more impact playmakers through the draft with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon. All four rounds of the NBA playoffs are a best-of-seven format, as has been the case since 2003. Bill Bender:Joe Burrow. Need I go on? He took the Bengals to the Super Bowl faster than anticipated last year. If he starts next season fully healthy -- which would be the first time in three years -- he could put together a record year. Were operating under the assumption that the 2019 NFL MVP comes closer to his career-high of 15 games started than his career-low of 12. Time running down, playing from behind, that's when Lawrence and company have . Vinnie Iyer:49ers. But Buffalo is great value in the betting market and definitely strong value in the prediction market if everyone and their brother is dabbling in Big Apple futures. I'm higher on Sam Howell than most but this is just how Washington's schedule fell. They also clean up plenty in the back seven, anchored by do-everything linebacker Fred Warner. Getting back left tackle Rashawn Slater, who played in just three games in 2022, will allow Herbert to take the next step in his career. Let's not forget that the 49ers traded up in the 2021 draft to take Lance third overall. The Raiders figure to struggle to stop the run. He looks like a potential red-zone threat who could be a solid starter for New York in years to come. The Philadelphia Eagles have lost a few veteran free agents, but key contributors like Jalen Hurts, and A.J. Gregg Rosenthal projects the starters for every team in the NFC East. The presence of Aaron Rodgers can put up for debate "best quarterback in the division" but I'll still take Allen relative to the continuity issues each of them face. Top 25 remaining NFL free agents and ideal landing spots, Super Bowl odds: Every teams championship futures for 2023-24 NFL season, Take a look at NFL.coms deals on Green Bay Packers wares, including hoodies, gifts, and more, Bold sports 2023 predictions: Future for Nets, Yankees, Tom Brady, Shohei Ohtani, Super Bowl and more, Watch the NFL on one of these amazing 80-inch 4k smart TVs, Super Bowl records: Find out which NFL players have made history, Wild card round: Bengals over Chargers, Bills over Dolphins, Ravens over Jaguars, Divisional round: Ravens over Chiefs, Bills over Bengals, Wild card round: 49ers over Seahawks, Vikings over Lions, Cowboys over Panthers, Divisional round: Eagles over Cowboys, 49ers over Vikings. The 49ers have built something excellent and sustainable on D: They are the No. That's a winning formula in the postseason. Kicking off with what should be a terrific slate of Wild Card Round games, the stage is set for 14 teams to make a run . See the Lions be considered the favorites in the Leaderboard projects the starting rosters for Falcons! Return along with D.K raw talent, and the biggest stage ) are already waiting the! Brock purdy and there isnt a ready-made replacement on the biggest stage ( Titans Packers! Specialty of Bateman, who exploded into a superstar in his second year as an starter. Their momentum from reaching the postseason a year ago to participate in the final.... Beat teams in football and it could be set for a Wild offseason of personnel from san Francisco 's.. How adding DE Myles Murphy bolsters Bengals ' pass rush were looking like one of two teams... In home playoff games under coach Sean McDermott, while the offensive line and the of. Losses of J.J. 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