How did time move so fast. In the blink of an eye, the NFL season is here, and I felt this was the perfect way to break the ice on this new website. So agree or disagree in the comments all you want, but this is my predictions for each team NFC team will fare this season.
Cardinals: The Cardinals are one of the most interesting teams in football. While this team can be insanely good, it feels like they will never be able to get over the hump. Kyler Murray is coming off a solid year, and is now one of the highest paid players in the league. They got Marquise Brown to fill in for DeAndre Hopkins (suspended six games). I wouldn't necessarily say this team got any better. I think the Cardinals do exactly as expected and go 10-7.
Falcons: I really don't know where to start with this team. After losing the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes, the Falcons chose to go with a former heisman winner, Marcus Mariota. While I think Mariota can be solid, if things don't go well Desmond Ridder is waiting. Mariota will have some solid young weapons to throw to (Drake London and Kyle Pitts), but I ultimately think it will be an abysmal season for Atlanta. I have the Falcons finishing 2-15 and being one of the worst teams in the league.
Panthers: This team feels like it is walking into the same situation every single season. A new quarterback that has something to prove. Baker Mayfield will be better than Sam Darnold, but by how much. If Christian McCaffery can ultimately stay healthy, this team will win more games, but mediocre quarterback play and an average defense won't lead the Panthers too much success. Carolina will finish 4-13.
Bears: I couldn't be more excited for my hometown team this season! Sike. While I like the direction the Bears are headed for the future, the only exciting thing about this season is the development of Justin Fields. At the same time it's scary when the front office provided him a mediocre offense line, and only Darnell Mooney to throw to. In addition to that, the defense got much worse. I think can Fields shows flashes, but the Bears ultimately finish last in the NFC North at 4-13.
Cowboys: In a similar vein to the Cardinals, I do not think the Cowboys did enough to get better. It feels like they are always going to be a team that struggles to get over the hump to compete for a Super Bowl. I do still feel that Dak and Co. have what it takes to win that division. Even with the Eagles creeping closer and closer, the Cowboys are still the better overall team. The Cowboys will finish at 11-6, winning the NFC East.
Lions: I think everyone and their mother is in on the Lions. Whether it's Dan Campbell, or the rock solid draft, people LOVE the Lions. I must say, I do think they will be a lot better. Do not forget how many one score games the Lions lost last season. I also think that Jared Goff is honestly underrated at this point in his career. With Amon-Ra St. Brown now being an upcoming star in this league, and a couple of nice weapons in Hockenson and Chark, Goff will be able to air it out. The defense is only getting better. I think the Lions finish a solid 7-10 which is good enough for third in the NFC North.
Packers: They will be just fine. I don't care if they have no wide receivers, their quarterback is Aaron freaking Rodgers. The back to back MVP winner is going to find the open receiver every time and continue to torch the league. They have a two headed monster in the backfield (Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon). Everything on defense has essentially stayed the same. The Packers are good for a 12-5 season, finishing first place in the NFC North.
Rams: The Super Bowl champs are back, and have only gotten better. This off-season, the Rams were able to add all-pro linebacker Bobby Wagner, as well as former pro bowler, Allen Robinson. Not many pieces have left, and everyone is still in sync under Sean McVay. The Rams will finish 11-6 which will be good enough for first place in the NFC West.
Vikings: Welcome to my blog. Want to learn a fun fact about me; I am an avid Kirk Cousins hater. Kirk Cousins somehow continues to steal money from the world when he doesn't deserve half of what he is making. He stinks. In all seriousness though, the Vikings will be solid, because they need to be. New coaching staff will come right in, and pluck those boys up. The amount of games the Vikings would have won last year if the 4th quarter were eliminated, is absurd. Kirk Cousins will be just fine, the offense will strive and the defense will continue to do what Vikings defenses normally do. Minnesota will finish 11-6; second in the NFC North.
*Just wanted to put this here because I actually gave the Vikings love.*
Saints: Jameis Winston is going to be so much fun this year. He is going to throw so many touchdowns and interceptions, it is going to be beautiful. I am excited to see what the Saints can do with a full year of Winston, as well as a new coaching staff. This is definitely a different feel of the Saints teams of the past, but I still feel they can succeed. The return of Michael Thomas will go a long way, one of the best O-Lines in football, and a pretty good defense. I feel that winning will be in the cards for NOLA. The Saints will finish the season at 10-7.
Giants: Did the Giants get better? Yes. Are the Giants good? No. I feel as if Brian Dabbol will be huge for that team and their culture going forward. This year, is all about Daniel Jones. Can he prove that he should continue to be their starter? That will be the big question whether the Giants end up being good or bad. I think the Giants will still struggle, but improve and finish 6-11.
Eagles: A lot of people love the Eagles this year, and I can see why. The front office went out, had a great draft and got some help for their young quarterback. A.J. Brown will be huge for Jalen Hurts this year, as well as DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert. The defense only got better adding, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Nakobe Dean and Jordan Davis. The Eagles are going to be very competitive and be right there with the Cowboys all year long. I think they will finish 10-7.
49ers: An interesting season for Kyle Shanahan and crew. The Niners are essentially bringing back the same team, everything just depends on how Trey Lance develops. I think Lance will hit his strides at times, but also manage to lose them a couple close games. That defense is still legit. I think the Niners will finish at 10-7 finishing third in the NFC West.
Seahawks: What do the Seahawks look like post Russell Wilson. Not good. Seattle is going to be hard to watch this year. The quarterback competition is going to be a mid-off. The defense is just nonexistent. DK Metcalf is truly the only notable player left on this team. I don't even want to waste time on them. Seattle will finish 3-14.
Buccaneers: Tampa Bay has managed to keep the same roster together that won a Super Bowl two years ago. Tom Brady is back, and age is just a number. Tampa Bay will continue to dominate teams and win a lot of ballgames. I think the Buccs will be the best team in the NFC. As long as TB12 stays under center, and the team stays healthy, the Buccaneers will finish with a 13-4 record atop the NFC.
Commanders: This team feels too much like the Panthers. Very average QB play with a very good wide receiver (Terry McLaurin). Carson Wentz is not going to make much of a difference. The defense is very solid and can honestly win them plenty of ballgames, but I just do not trust this team. They can definitely be sneakily good, but I just do not see it. Washington will finish 5-12, at the bottom of the NFC East.
So if my predictions end up being 100 percent accurate, this would mean that the NFC playoff picture would go like this:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Green Bay Packers
Los Angeles Rams
Dallas Cowboys
Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints
Philadelphia Eagles
In my predictions the Saints, Eagles, Cardinals and 49ers, all have the same record (10-7), but the Saints and Eagles would get in based off tiebreakers.
I am sorry if I upset other fanbases, but these are MY predictions. I bet a lot of this ends up being wrong anyway. There will always be a team no one expects that comes out of the woodwork.
So agree to disagree, but this is Ben Hudy's official 2022-2023 NFC predictions. You can click the big green button at the bottom to check out my AFC predictions. Oh, and by the way, Kirk Cousins still stinks.
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