The NFC appears to be wide open and is largely a very weak conference, but there are a clear top five teams as we head into the 2023 season. The best teams in the NFC were playing in late January and I don’t think much will change going into the 2023 season.
I could see a surprise team making some noise, but I think the top five teams in the conference are pretty cut and dry and I don’t think there should be much debate about it.
Who are the top five teams in the NFC? Could a team other than the Philadelphia Eagles represent the conference in the Super Bowl in 2023?
2023 NFL Season: Who are the five best NFC teams?
No. 5: Minnesota Vikings
I just don’t see any scenario where the Vikings win 13 games again this coming season. For goodness sake, they had a negative point differential and won nearly all of their close games. They lost in the Wild Card round and did part with a few veterans this offseason.
Dalvin Cook seems to be on his way out, but this is still a 9-10 win team simply because of their coaching. Outside of Justin Jefferson, I don’t see anything else on offense posing much of a threat and their defense isn’t that great, either. They strike me as a Wild Card team in 2023.
No. 4: Detroit Lions
My personal pick to win the NFC North this year is the Detroit Lions, who had clear needs on defense and fixed them this offseason. They just about overhauled their secondary and filled their hole at tight end in the 2023 NFL Draft.
I firmly disagree with their two first round selections, but this is a tough bunch and went 9-8 last year. I think the Lions are hosting a playoff game in 2023.
2023 NFL Season: Who are the five best NFC teams?
No. 3: San Francisco 49ers
The only reason I’m putting the 49ers below the second best team on my list is because of their uncertain QB situation. Who knows if Brock Purdy is going to be healthy for week one. If not, who between Trey Lance and Sam Darnold would be the starter until he gets healthy?
Will Purdy miss more time than we expect? Overall, though, the 49ers are well-coached and have a stellar roster. They’ll likely run away with the NFC West again this year and clinch a top four seed in the NFC.
No. 2: Dallas Cowboys
I love what the Cowboys did this offseason. They retained their most important free agents and also added Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore. Perhaps the curse of the Cowboys not getting past the divisional round will end this year.
This team is simply too talented to not play in the NFC Championship Game in 2023 in my opinion.
No. 1: Philadelphia Eagles
The defending NFC champion Eagles are the best team in the conference. Shocker. They retained (somehow) their biggest free agents and seemed to have knocked the 2023 NFL Draft out of the park.
I think losing both of their coordinators to head coaching jobs isn’t nothing, so that’ll be something to keep an eye on. They have the best roster in the NFL and I don’t think they’ll endure any sort of Super Bowl hangover.