The 2023 NFL season is already shaping up to be one for the ages. Let’s make a full slate of predictions for the upcoming season. Record predictions, division champions, and full playoff predictions can be found here!
This coming season has a chance to be truly legendary. The amount of parity in the NFL is growing, which only breeds more competition. Last year, the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs met in the Super Bowl, with the Chiefs winning it all.
Will they meet again in the 2023 Super Bowl? Will there be surprise teams? What about playoff seeding and division champions?
Let’s break that all down with a full season’s worth of predictions!
2023 NFL Season: Full record and season predictions – AFC North
Cincinnati Bengals: 15-2
I was surprised to see how many games I had the Bengals winning in the 2023 NFL season. Joe Burrow puts up and MVP-caliber campaign and Cincy cruises to the #1 seed in the AFC (spoiler).
Cleveland Browns: 9-8
I think the Browns are a good team, but I don’t think they’re great. With questions about Deshaun Watson and their defense, the Brownies still manage a winning record in 2023.
Baltimore Ravens: 9-8
Like the Browns, I think the Ravens are good, not great team with questions at QB and defense. Will Lamar Jackson play a full season? Will their underperforming secondary finally play like their talent indicates?
How is the pass rush? All these questions need answered.
Pittsburgh Steelers: 9-8
…the Steelers are a good, not great team. Kenny Pickett will look better in year two and the offense will begin to take shape, but they simply won’t have enough firepower to be relevant in the AFC. In fact, like their nine win AFC North mates, they’ll miss the playoffs in 2023, which will begin a debate about the future of Mike Tomlin.
2023 NFL Season: Full record and season predictions – AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars: 12-5
I like the Jaguars to take a noticeable leap forward in 2023. Doug Pederson, in his second year as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, led the team to a Super Bowl.
He’ll have similar success with his new team as Trevor Lawrence becomes a viable MVP candidate in his second year in Pederson’s system.
Houston Texans: 7-10
I think the Houston Texans are better than people think and seven wins seems perfect to me. DeMeco Ryans is going to coach up a top-12 defense and the offense will begin to slowly put the pieces together.
Watch out for the Texans in 2024.
Tennessee Titans: 4-13
The Tennessee Titans will not be a good football team in 2023, no matter who is under center and who carries the rock. If they were smart, they’d trade away Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry for draft capital.
I think at some point between now and the trade deadline, one or both of them are moved as the Titans turn the page.
Indianapolis Colts: 4-13
Like the Titans, the Colts are not a good team, but they seemed to have knocked the 2023 NFL draft out of the park. In the 2023 NFL season, Indy won’t win many games, but Anthony Richardson will occasionally make highlight-reel plays which will give them hope for 2024.
2023 NFL Season: Full record and season predictions – AFC East
Buffalo Bills: 11-6
The Buffalo Bills will win their division in the 2023 NFL season, but it’s going to be a very close fight that may only come down to a game in the win column. They’ve owned the division over the last three seasons, so they’re my pick to win until another team proves they can top them.
However, I have serious concerns about this team when playoff time arrives.
New York Jets: 10-7
The New York Jets will spring to a winning record and a playoff berth in their first season with Aaron Rodgers under center. They’ll snap their decade plus long streak of not making the postseason.
Their defense was one of the best in the NFL in 2022, so if they can keep that up, the offense won’t have to be elite.
Miami Dolphins: 10-7
Both the Dolphins and the Jets can easily win the AFC East in my opinion and I don’t see how these first three teams don’t at least finish with a winning record.
Because of one of the bagillion NFL tiebreakers, Miami finishes third in the division, but with an improved defense and a strong offense, Miami is still a playoff team. Vic Fangio was installed as their defensive coordinator this offseason, so expect an improvement in that unit as well.
New England Patriots: 6-11
The New England Patriots made some solid additions this offseason, but I don’t think this will be enough. They’ll win less games than they did in 2022. Expect the Pats’ defense to remain among the league’s best, but a lack of firepower on offense and a marginal improvement from Mac Jones in the 2023 NFL season won’t be enough.
2023 NFL Season: Full record and season predictions – AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs: 13-4
Until another team in the AFC West can dethrone the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chiefs will remain at the top. They’ve won two out the last four Super Bowls, and seem to only slam on the gas pedal harder and harder.
Their offense was just fine without Tyreek Hill and should be just fine in 2023. Andy Reid many not be coaching for much longer, but as long as Patrick Mahomes remains in the fold, they’ll be a top team.
Denver Broncos: 10-7
The Denver Broncos will see a quick turnaround in year one under Sean Payton. In fact, he oversaw a quick turnaround in year one as head coach of the New Orleans Saints. The Broncos have a strong roster and made quality additions to fill the needed holes on their roster.
Their coaching staff isn’t playing around and Denver will squeak into the playoffs in 2023.
Los Angeles Chargers: 9-8
The Chargers didn’t do anything special over the offseason. They did bring in Kellen Moore as the offensive coordinator but didn’t make many roster moves to inspire.
With Brandon Staley being an up and down head coach, I just don’t see the Chargers being a legitimate threat in the AFC in the 2023 NFL season.
Las Vegas Raiders: 5-12
The Las Vegas Raiders got worse over the offseason, which is quite something. They dumped Derek Carr for an inferior quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo and didn’t touch their offensive line, which was puzzling.
This team is not a serious club and I don’t see them winning more than a handful of games, which will quickly put into doubt the future of Josh McDaniels as HC of the Raiders.
2023 NFL Season: Full record and season predictions – NFC North
Detroit Lions: 11-6
The Detroit Lions are going to win the NFC North this year. They won nine games in 2022 on the backs of an elite offense, but their defense was among the absolute worst in the NFL. With significant changes coming in the secondary and another year immersed in the Dan Campbell experience, this team is going to win a weaker division and earn a home playoff game in 2023.
Chicago Bears: 9-8
When I made this NFL regular season simulator, I was truly not paying attention to the records; I was simply picking the games each week. When I saw that the Bears finished with a 9-8 record, I was slightly surprised.
They even clinched the playoffs in the 2023 NFL season in this scenario, which is awesome for them. They’ll field an improved defense and Justin Fields will take a jump as a passer in 2023.
Minnesota Vikings: 6-11
Honestly, if the Vikings didn’t win most of their close games in 2023, they’d have finished with a record like this. In 2023, that’ll be the case for them. Kirk Cousins isn’t a great QB and their defense was among the worst in the NFL last year.
They’ll take a step back in 2023.
Green Bay Packers: 5-12
The Green Bay Packers won eight games in 2022 with Aaron Rodgers under center. Unless Jordan Loves lights it up, I don’t see the Packers winning more than a few games. Love could very well be an elite passer in 2023, but there is just so much unknown there and I can’t predict them to win any more.
2023 NFL Season: Full record and season predictions – NFC South
Carolina Panthers: 10-7
I am telling you all right now; do not sleep on the Carolina Panthers for the 2023 NFL season. They have an excellent coaching staff and a solid roster from top to bottom. Frank Reich will get quick results from Bryce Young and Ejiro Evero is a defensive mastermind.
New Orleans Saints: 9-8
Marginal improvements are coming for the New Orleans Saints with the addition of Derek Carr. This isn’t going to be a great team, but they can stay afloat for most of the season. Perhaps 2024 is the year we should look at the Saints as being a legitimate team.
Atlanta Falcons: 7-10
Another 7-10 season from the Atlanta Falcons will see Arthur Smith out the door and and a rebuilding team left with nowhere to go. They’ll finish in the irrelevant middle with a some older, veteran players and younger ones. They might be in a tricky spot in 2023.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2-15
The Caleb Williams watch has begun! No matter who the Buccaneers start between Kyle Trask or Baker Mayfield, they’ll be a bad team. I just don’t see much at all to write home about with this team outside of a couple of good receivers and a stud tackle in Tristan Wirfs.
2023 NFL Season: Full record and season predictions – NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: 14-3
The Dallas Cowboys had an excellent offseason. They brought back their main free agents and kept Dan Quinn for another year. Adding Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks were great moves. I like the Cowboys to win the NFC East in 2023, but this is going to be a close division, and I can very easily say the defending NFC champions will also win the division.
Philadelphia Eagles: 14-3
The Eagles are the defending NFC Champions but did lose both of their coordinators to head coaching jobs. They’ll still be an elite team in 2023, in my opinion. I think they cruise to at least a 4-2 division record and Jalen Hurts should take an even bigger leap in 2023.
Their defense is also returning most of their starters, so this team is about the same from 2022. Expect them to be dangerous again in 2023.
New York Giants: 9-8
The New York Giants aren’t a great team. They were a breakout team in 2022, but did lack some top-end talent at quarterback and on defense. I’m not sure they did enough this offseason to be appreciably better than they were in 2022.
I also don’t buy into Daniel Jones at all. I think he’s a top-16 QB at best but I also think the Giants will be looking into bringing in a new QB in a few years.
I don’t buy them being a serious team. I think they’ll be good, at the very least.
Washington Football Team: 1-16
As I said before, I was truly not paying attention to the records when I made this prediction for the 2023 NFL season, but I can’t entirely say I am surprised by the results here. I think Ron Rivera is a hilariously overrated coach and the Sam Howell + Eric Bienemy combination worries me.
Their roster is very good, actually, but I guess if I have them going 1-16, just about nothing went right for them in 2023.
2023 NFL Season: Full record and season predictions – NFC West
San Francisco 49ers: 14-3
I think in this scenario, Brock Purdy may only miss a game or two at most with his elbow injury. This team seems to have finally settled in on a long-term option at quarterback, but I guess Trey Lance could work some magic this offseason.
The Niners were a Super Bowl caliber team in 2022 and I don’t see how that’ll change in 2023.
Seattle Seahawks: 11-6
The Seattle Seahawks will make more of a jump in 2023 after their defensive offseason additions. Their offense was stellar in 2022, and if their defensive additions are for the better and the offense doesn’t fizzle out, this team will be borderline elite in 2023.
Los Angeles Rams: 6-11
I think the Rams have good enough coaching to win a few games, and if Matthew Stafford can return to his 2021 ways, this team can make a bit of noise, but I am severely worried that their overall lack of talent is going to harm them quite a bit.
The Rams might be picking towards the top of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Arizona Cardinals: 1-16
More Caleb Williams watch! Seriously, if the Cardinals have this poor of a 2023 NFL season, and they have the #1 overall pick, do they move on from Kyler Murray? I don’t personally think so, honestly. Murray is an elite talent and I think people get too wrapped up with his alleged lack of commitment to the game.
He’s fine.
2023 NFL Season: Full record and season predictions – AFC and NFC Wild Card
New York Jets (5) vs. Buffalo Bills (4)
An AFC East showdown in the Wild Card round as the Jets travel to Buffalo to face the much more experienced Bills! The Bills clearly have an advantage in this matchup.
Miami Dolphins (6) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (3)
The Jaguars are going to shock people in 2023. They’ll win at least one playoff game this coming season, as Doug Pederson is going to get the best out of his guys.
Denver Broncos (7) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (2)
This is a great spot to be for the Broncos, in the 2023 NFL playoffs, but they have a very tall task ahead of them.
Philadelphia Eagles (5) vs. Carolina Panthers (4)
This is a classic example of the NFL playoff seeding perhaps not being the most ideal. The Eagles are not an inferior team than the Panthers, but they didn’t win their division. Carolina will be good in the 2023 NFL season, but they just aren’t there yet.
Seattle Seahawks (6) vs. Detroit Lions (3)
This is actually an even matchup with two teams who excelled on offense in 2022 but struggled on defense. I can see this going either way but would give the advantage to the Lions.
Chicago Bears (7) vs. San Francisco 49ers (2)
This should not be a close game, but it’s still a successful season for the Bears as they squeak into the playoffs with their young QB in Justin Fields.
2023 NFL Season: Full record and season predictions – AFC and NFC Divisional Round
Jacksonville Jaguars (3) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (2)
In a rematch of the 2022 AFC Divisional Round, will Trevor Lawrence and the improved Jaguars have enough to knock off the defending Super Bowl champions? Playing in KC might be the hardest environment to play in.
Buffalo Bills (4) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (1)
I think this can be a 10+ point win for the Bengals. Cincy has had much more playoff success lately than the Bills and I don’t trust Josh Allen all the way in big moments. The Bengals shouldn’t break a sweat in this game as Joe Burrow creeps closer to a Super Bowl title.
Detroit Lions (3) vs. San Francisco 49ers (2)
I’d love to see the Lions win this matchup, but I don’t think 2023 is the year of the Lions just yet. They can make it a close game with their elite offense, but the defense is going to have their bell rung by Kyle Shanahan.
Philadelphia Eagles (5) vs. Dallas Cowboys (1)
Arguably the two best teams in the NFL, the Eagles and Cowboys meet up in the NFC Divisional Round. Will Dallas finally get over the hump, or are the defending NFC champions too much to handle?
2023 NFL Season: Full record and season predictions – Conference Championship Weekend
Jacksonville Jaguars (3) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (1)
This could be a very fun matchup. The Bengals get a conference championship game at home, and the Cincy fans are probably going to be absolutely feral. Trevor Lawrence is going to flirt with the MVP award in 2023, and I think Joe Burrow will as well.
The defenses might be the units to watch in this one. The Bengals have sneakily had one of the best defensive units in football as of late, but they did lose some firepower in their secondary and do have a more inexperienced unit for 2023.
The Jags don’t have much top-end talent on defense, but their entire team is well-coached. Can the Jaguars’ pass rush, which needs a further boost, get to Joe Burrow enough?
Philadelphia Eagles (5) vs. San Francisco 49ers (2)
In a rematch of the 2022 NFC Championship Game, the 49ers get this one in their house, but will that yield different results? The Eagles are fielding just about the same unit on both sides of the ball as they did in 2022, so many might think the Eagles could win this game.
However, I don’t think the 49ers are going to be down to their 4th string quarterback in this game. With a full year from Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey being on the team for a full season, could this be the year that the Niners clinch a spot back in the Super Bowl?
2023 NFL Season: Full record and season predictions – Super Bowl Sunday
Super Bowl 58: Cincinnati Bengals (1) vs. San Francisco 49ers (2)
Well, here it is, my Super Bowl prediction for 2023. Joe Burrow and the Bengals make their second Super Bowl in three seasons, and Brock Purdy and the 49ers make their second Super Bowl since 2019.
In perhaps the most even matchup possible in the 2023 NFL season, both sides have great arguments to win.
I’d say the Bengals have the advantage at quarterback and with their offensive weapons. However, the 49ers probably have the advantage at defense and coaching. Could this game come down to their special teams units?
Possibly. I think we see and back and forth affair but perhaps not as high scoring as some would think. Both teams probably field top-10 defenses in 2023, and defense wins championships.
Both offenses, though, have potential to put up 30 points with ease.