2023-24 NFL Preview

by: Smally at Large

Division Winners & Wild Card Teams

The 2023-24 NFL season is here, kicked off, and we are absolutely LOCKED in.

Today, we’re going to look at our expert’s projections on who will be the lucky teams to play for a chance at a Lombardi Trophy at Allegiant Stadium.

Let’s start with the AFC.  The AFC is so stacked they make it difficult to narrow down just one division winner.

AFC East: NY Jets

              Call me crazy, but the J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets look great. On paper.  The Aaron Rodgers move was great by the Jets organization.  They’re full of young talent that showed in spurts last season.  Now, they have a leader in the locker room to help guide the young talent to the playoffs.

AFC South: Jacksonville Jaguars

              Last season, the Jags won the South, beat the Chargers in the comeback of a lifetime, and competed well against the eventual Super Bowl winner KC Chiefs.  The Jags experience from last postseason will help them this season.  With the addition of Calvin Ridley, that Jags offense is solidified.  If the line can keep Lawrence clean, the Jags can do serious damage.

AFC West: KC Chiefs

              Do I really have to write a blurb as to why? My biggest concern with the Chiefs is Eric Bienemy moving to Washington.  EB may be the best offensive coordinator in the league.  Only time will tell if Mahomes’ magic can cover up for Matt Nagy’s short comings.

AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers

              This one almost feels like a pick ‘em.  Would you be surprised if the Steelers win the North? What about the Ravens? Bengals? Browns? While yes, as of right now, it seems like the Ravens and Bengals are better teams than the Steelers, it takes 17 games to decide a divisional winner.  We saw the jump that Hurts made from year 1 as a starter to year 2.  Kenny Pickett has similar attributes to Hurts, and this pick is fully predicated on Pickett making a similar jump.

AFC Wildcard:

              Cincinnati Bengals

              Buffalo Bills

Now onto the NFC.  The NFC is just as difficult to pick division winners for, but for the exact opposite reason the AFC is difficult to pick for.  There’s not too much firepower in the NFC, but there are some very heavy hitters.

NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles

              The Eagles are returning a lot of key players from last season’s Super Bowl team.  Javon Hargrave was the biggest departure from Philadelphia this offseason, but the Eagles quickly addressed that through the draft with Jalen Carter.  The Eagles’ offense should hum a similar tune to last seasons, but there are some big question marks on the interior defensive line, linebacker, and safety.  Those units are counting on young players to step up and fill big shoes.

NFC South: Carolina Panthers

              I know this isn’t a flashy pick.  But, the NFC South isn’t a flashy division.  A lot of this pick is predicated on rookie QB Bryce Young and head coach Frank Reich jelling together and putting a good offensive product onto the field. Let’s not forget that last season the Panthers were one tossed helmet away from winning the division. From what I can see, the Panthers have only improved this offseason.  Call me crazy, but I’m excited to see what this team can do.

NFC West: Seattle Seahawks

              The West is top heavy this year.  The 49ers and Seahawks will both be scratching and clawing to get the top spot while the Rams and Cardinals will be scouting the CFB field to see who their 2024 1st round pick will be… probably both of which in the top 5. Here, I have to give the nod to Seattle.  Seattle already has an incredible WR room, only beefing it up more with Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Bobby Wagner returns to Seattle to help lead the team to their first division championship since 2020.

NFC North: Detroit Lions

              With the departure of Rodgers, and half of the Green Bay packers, it feels as if this is the first season the division is up for grabs.  What the Lions did last season may not look amazing on paper or by statistics, but you can’t overlook the fact that they learned how to play in the big games. The Lions are bringing back a lot of players, while also adding CJ Gardner-Johnson and Jahmyr Gibbs to the team.  The firepower is there.  This is Dan Campbell’s time to put it all together.  Campbell will show us why teams shouldn’t move on from head coaches as quickly as they do sometimes.

NFC Wildcard:

              San Francisco 49ers

              Chicago Bears