Category: Other

32 Teams in 32 Days: New York Giants

Coming off arguably the worst season in franchise history, the Giants are staring down the barrel of another trainwreck, putting jobs everywhere in the building at stake.

Cover photo taken from Pro Football Network.

Welcome to 32 Teams in 32 Days, a daily series leading up to kickoff of the 2025 NFL season where I preview every team in the league as decided by a wheel spin and project what their season will look like. You can keep up with everything right here.

Our first venture outside of the NFC West takes us to the Big Apple with the New York Football Giants. And I’m going to level with you guys here — it will not be easy to be nice to this team.

2024 was one of the worst seasons in Giants history as a franchise record 10-game losing streak led to cutting ties with $60 million QB Daniel Jones and a drab 3-14 record.

Let’s get the ugliness out of the way. As detailed by what’ll likely be the lone version of the offseason’s Hard Knocks, the Giants let their two best players in RB Saquon Barkley and S Xavier McKinney walk in order to uphold the Daniel Jones era only for Barkley to win Offensive Player of the Year and be the best player on the Super Bowl-winning Eagles while McKinney led the league in interceptions in Green Bay. Oh, and GM Joe Schoen couldn’t take his own son’s advice and make a move for a QB in the draft, though I doubt any teams in the top-3 would’ve budged.

So, they already went into the season behind the 8-ball. And boy, did it show. In the EPA/play department, New York finished 28th on offense and 29th on defense. Shuffling between Jones, Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock under center, they finished 31st in dropback success rate and scoring, only in front of the Browns in each department. Not the greatest company to keep.

The worst part? A meaningless win against the Colts in Week 17 threw away their chance at the No. 1 overall pick, dropping them to No. 3 to miss out on QB Cam Ward or the Heisman-winning unicorn Travis Hunter.

That being said, I do think New York made out of the draft with arguably its best player in Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter, who promises to be Micah Parsons 2.0. He rounds out what could be a top-5 defensive line in football, paired up with Brian Burns while Dexter Lawrence holds down the middle. And, for what it’s worth, I liked the Giants’ offseason on defense; Jevon Holland was a great pickup to replace McKinney — albeit a year too late — and Paulson Adebo was brought in to complement Dru Phillips and bolster a secondary that has missed on countless draft picks like Deonte Banks and Tyler Nubin.

Having Abdul Carter in the division for years to come isn’t my idea of fun. (h/t Reuters)

But the real story of the offseason was on the other side of the ball, as it seemingly always is under supposed offensive guru Brian Daboll. With Jones now in Indianapolis, Daboll and Schoen have been given one last shot to figure this out and prove that 2022 wasn’t a fluke. And they have put their faith in… Russell Wilson? Jameis Winston? Maybe not exactly. Russ is in town for one last ride, now on his fourth team in the last five years to be a stopgap for Ole Miss product Jaxson Dart, who the Giants traded back into the first round to select at No. 25 overall. Dart fits the mold for what Daboll wants far more than a 36-year old Wilson, but it’ll be a while before he sees the field. He still has a long way to go as a prospect, and Russ was always going to be the guy to get the ball rolling in the first couple of months.

Regardless of what happens at QB, the rest of the offense isn’t much to look at. Leading the charge is last year’s first-round WR Malik Nabers, who proved his worth with a ridiculous debut campaign, racking up 109 catches — second-highest tally in history for rookies behind Brock Bowers — 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns with horrible QB play. Darius Slayton has proven himself as a solid complement to Nabers as well and decided to run it back in New York this season. And Tyrone Tracy had a solid rookie season of his own to emerge as the lead back, but not exactly a Saquon Barkley replacement (who is, anyways?). Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt have potential, but there’s no clear WR3 in the building. Andrew Thomas has proven himself to be a top-tier left tackle, but the rest of the line leaves a ton to be desired.

With QB play having a low ceiling or and an incredibly low floor and the rest of the roster continuing to lack in clear, blue-chip talent outside of Thomas and Nabers, things aren’t going to get better overnight in New York. Combine that with a brutal schedule, and the Giants could be staring down the barrel of another abysmal season. Daboll and Schoen’s seats are scorching.

X-Factor: QB Jaxson Dart

But not in the way you might think. The reason I list Dart as an X-factor is because a lot of jobs rely on his success this season. Let’s say he takes over the starting job in Week 6. If he performs similar to Drake Maye last season with no eye-popping stats but clear talent and an ability to make plays, that’s a success. If he exceeds expectations and puts together a solid season for himself, that’s even better. He’s not going to be Jayden Daniels or CJ Stroud, but no one is. But for the Giants to have made the deal they did to get Dart, it has to work. It’s the last trick that Daboll can pull before being shipped off to be an offensive coordinator somewhere. I have my doubts about it working sheerly based on the uphill climb facing New York this season, but it’s not impossible.

Team MVP: WR Malik Nabers
This guy is absurd. (h/t northjersey.com)

I already touched on it, but Nabers is truly a remarkable player. I had him as my WR2 in last year’s draft, but I didn’t expect this. For him to have the rookie season he did with the QBs he played with is a testament to his skills. He’s also the only real pass-catching threat on this team, which is proven by leading the NFL in target share last year with a whopping 34.9%. He’s big, long, athletic, ridiculously fast and aggressive at the catch point. There aren’t many corners who can take him one-on-one. When I watch him, I see Ja’Marr Chase 2.0. That speaks for itself. If Dart pants out, they could prove to be a very good duo for years. If not, he’ll still be a great outlet for Russ, who will surely be connecting with him on a number of deep shots this season. In any case, I’m thrilled to watch his sophomore campaign — just maybe not in Weeks 1 and 15.

Breakout Candidate: RB Tyrone Tracy

As I mentioned earlier, Tracy is a pretty solid back who flashed a lot of potential in 2024. With 839 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, he emerged as the lead RB over Devin Singletary by October, and it definitely gave this offense a boost in the run game. Again, he’s no Saquon, but he can definitely be the solidified RB1 in New York for the next several years. Despite the offensive line continuing to be a weakness, Tracy should take a leap this season as the full-time lead back. That being said, rookie Cam Skattebo could eat into that if he proves that he can play in the big leagues, which I still have questions about.

Record Prediction: 2-15

This isn’t an indictment on how poor this roster or coaching staff is. This is more about the absolute gauntlet of a schedule. Just go take a look at it, then come back here and tell me I’m wrong. The NFC East has to play the NFC North and AFC West this season, which is awful news for the Giants in particular as those other two divisions are pretty good at the bottom. Oh, and they have to play San Francisco, who finished fourth last year, but should be much improved. There genuinely might not be a Giants win until the calendar year 2026. Their best chances are at New Orleans in Week 5, at Vegas in Week 17 and the finale against Dallas in Week 18. I gave them the Raiders win, and for some reason I have them beating Minnesota in Week 16 as well. There’s gotta be Ws in there somewhere. But if the Giants become the first team to ever go 0-17, do not color me surprised. Another top draft pick is on the fast track to the Big Apple.

Next up: Cincinnati Bengals

32 Teams in 32 Days: San Francisco 49ers

Coming off their worst season in three years, the 49ers had a tumultuous offseason ahead of a 2025 campaign littered with question marks, but softened by an easy schedule.

Cover photo taken from Deseret News.

Welcome to 32 Teams in 32 Days, a daily series leading up to kickoff of the 2025 NFL season where I preview every team in the league as decided by a wheel spin and project what their season will look like.

Our journey continues with our third NFC West team in as many days as we head out to the Bay Area, where the 49ers are seemingly facing some uncertainty for the first time in several years.

After three straight trips to the NFC Championship game — including an OT loss in Super Bowl LVIII agains Kansas City — San Francisco had a drab 6-11 campaign last season plagued by the injury bug that bit them all over in 2020. Entering the year as the favorite to win a title in perhaps the final season of a clear window, the Niners wound up finishing at the bottom of the division thanks to guys like Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, Trent Williams, Deebo Samuel and others missing extended playing time due to serious injuries.

The offense was able to stay afloat, finishing 5th in total yards per game and 11th in EPA/play, but the defense simply fell apart, being largely unable to stop a nosebleed by the end of the season. The 49ers’ once proud unit finished bottom five in scoring, 26th in EPA/play and 29th in success rate, performing particularly awful against the run.

Thus, San Francisco entered the offseason with a lot of business to handle. The Niners lost a whopping 17 players in the first week of free agency, most notably having DB Charvarius Ward signed away by Indianapolis, trading Samuel to the Commanders for a fifth-round pick and losing both LB Dre Greenlaw and S Talanoa Hufanga to the Broncos. The defensive interior was also weakened by the departures of Javon Hargrave and Maleik Collins.

But the biggest business to handle was that of QB Brock Purdy, who has become one of the more polarizing signal callers in football. I personally think that the former Mr. Irrelevant has become so “overrated” that he’s now underrated. Why he receives the hate he does is beyond me. I used to be in the camp of recognizing him as a product of his environment — and that still very well be true — but he gained a lot of respect last season. To deal with the slew of injuries they had with the worst defense of his career, he still finished 9th in EPA+CPOE and 7th in QBR. That was largely without the likes of CMC, Deebo and Aiyuk. So much for being a product of the system.

GM John Lynch and the Niners front office seemed to agree, giving Purdy a whopping five-year, $265 million contract extension to complete one of the coolest stories in the league. Don’t get me wrong, I still have my doubts about whether you can win a title with Brock under center, but he deserved this payday and deserves to be this team’s franchise QB.

He’s much better than you think. (h/t Deseret News)

Because of that massive payout, they turned to rebuild through the draft and smaller, more team-friendly deals, particularly on defense. Each of the first five rounds saw San Francisco draft a defensive player, headlined by first-round edge rusher Mykel Williams, second-round tackle Alfred Collins and third-round corner Upton Stout. Other selections like Nick Martin, CJ West and Marques Single will help provide depth at key positions to help rebuild what was once an elite defense.

Still, the unit isn’t a very strong one. Even with Nick Bosa leading the charge off the edge and Fred Warner locking down the middle of the field. The secondary is a massive concern with no clear replacement for Ward; guys like Jason Pinnock and Renardo Green don’t inspire a ton of confidence, though I am a fan of Deommodore Lenoir and Malik Mustapha. Williams could develop into a force off the edge to complement Bosa, but I still don’t know what the interior will look like without Hargrave. Collins is pretty raw, but could become a very solid player in due time.

The offense has its fair share of question marks as well, but at least we know what to expect. Trent Williams may be old, but he’s still one of the best tackles in fotball. However, there’s not many other bright spots on the line — though, Jake Brendel had a solid season last year. If healthy, CMC should be the dog he always is. Hopefully Brandon Aiyuk can bounce back from a torn ACL and play up to the potential we saw in 2023, which garnered him his massive contract. Behind him, last year’s first-round pick Ricky Pearsall is bound for a breakout and Jauan Jennings remains one of the best WR3s in football. And then there’s George Kittle, who continues to be an absolute delight to watch at TE, coming off a remarkable season with 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns, resulting in a massive four-year, $76.4 million extension. He’s showing no signs of slowing down and will undoubtedly have another huge year as Purdy’s top target.

As seemingly always is the case with this squad, health remains the biggest thing separating this team from reaching its potential. But it’ll be the answers — or lack thereof — to the other questions that will show whether the Super Bowl window has closed or is slowly but surely being reopened.

X-Factor: RB Christian McCaffrey

I was on the record several times in 2023 saying that CMC deserved to be in the MVP conversation over Purdy, and I still believe that I was right. That season, McCaffrey was just so impactful in so many ways, just as he was in 2022 after being acquired from Carolina. When he’s healthy, he’s one of the most dynamic playmakers in football. The problem is remaining healthy. Last year was the first he’s had in San Francisco with injury concerns, so hopefully it doesn’t become a trend like it was with the Panthers. Only four games with no touchdowns isn’t a recipe for success for this team. So, I guess more than CMC himself being the X-factor, his health is. Because so long as he’s on the field, this team is much better. Here’s to hoping that’s the case.

Team MVP: QB Brock Purdy

I wanted to put Kittle here, but I’m gonna continue putting respect on Purdy’s name. If he continues his form from last season, he’s in for another big year. San Francisco will need it if they want to return to the postseason, and I think he can provide it.

Breakout Candidate: WR Ricky Pearsall

We all want Ricky Pearsall to succeed. After getting shot before the start of last season, he was able to come back and have a decent rookie campaign, particularly when he was thrust into action following so many WR problems with Samuel and Aiyuk. He was drafted in the first round for a reason — he’s got a solid frame with great hands and he’s fearless at the catch point. Maybe not as polished of a route runner as Aiyuk, but definitely a good complement to him and Kittle in the passing game. In the Kyle Shanahan system, I think Pearsall is bound for a big year two, where he should see upwards of 70-75 targets. If nothing else, with the sheer amount of attention that Aiyuk, Kittle and McCaffrey should and will receive, the door will open for Ricky P to make his mark in 2025.

Record Prediction: 12-5

San Francisco doesn’t feel like a 12-win team until you look at their schedule. Courtesy of finishing in last place, the Niners have the luxury of playing the Browns, Bears and Giants this year in addition to cycling through the two worst divisions in the league — the NFC South and AFC South. Most of those games alone should get them to double digits, and they should be able to compete for a division title. But, that still implies good health and good performance. The former should hopefully come regardless, but the latter remains to be seen. I simply have enough faith in this system and the blue-chip talent they still possess, even after the mass exodus of this offseason. All in all, it’ll be a very telling season to see what the future of this franchise is going to look like.

Next up: New York Giants

32 Teams in 32 Days: Arizona Cardinals

Despite a disappointing end to last season, the Cardinals have put themselves in a position to break through in 2025. But how far can Kyler Murray and a desperately-needed defensive revamp take them?

Cover photo taken from NBC Sports.

Welcome to 32 Teams in 32 Days, a daily series leading up to kickoff of the 2025 NFL season where I preview every team in the league as decided by a wheel spin and project what their season will look like.

Our second leg of the journey keeps us in the NFC West with the upstart Cardinals, who have flown under the radar for quite some time now and could be poised for a breakthrough season.

I’ll start by saying this: Arizona was as good of a sub-.500 team as you’ll find in the league in 2024, at least offensively. They were 10th in the league in offensive EPA/play, Kyler Murray was 9th in QBR and the team was sixth in dropback success rate — notably above each of the league’s final four teams in Buffalo, Washington, Kansas City and Philadelphia. The team was 6-4 heading into their bye before falling apart, losing five of their next six, including very winnable games against Minnesota and Carolina.

What did the Cards in was their defense, which was 24th in defensive EPA/play and a drab 31st in success rate. Considering the defensive nature of head coach Jonathan Gannon, that won’t fly for the redbirds in ’25.

As such, defense seemed to be the emphasis of the offseason in the desert. While the offense gained no new starters, five of the team’s six draft picks were spent on that side of the ball — notably including DT Walter Nolen in the first round and DB Will Johnson in the second, who could each be franchise cornerstones if they stay healthy and live up to their potential. DB Denzel Burke, LB Cody Simon and LB Jordan Burch could also develop into solid pieces and at least provide some defensive depth.

Josh Sweat was signed away from the Eagles to a lucrative deal to bolster the pass rush which was 28th in win rate a year ago. Calais Campbell was brought back home to provide a veteran presence and maybe give the interior some juice. All things considered, this should be an improved unit this season; at least DC Nick Rallis hopes they’ll be in what’s essentially a make-or-break year for him.

Again, this team is practically the same offense as it was a year ago, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing considering the stats, but I do have some question marks.

For starters, I’m not overly fond of OC Drew Petzing — particularly his lack of emphasis to feed the ball to Marvin Harrison Jr. Yes, it apparently isn’t necessary, but it seems like something that could surely elevate the unit. Critics and TikTokers would have you believe that Harrison’s rookie year was a disappointment; I’ll admit that might be true statistically, but film would tell the story of a kid who simply didn’t see the ball enough.

Throw this guy the ball, please. (h/t AZCentral)

Having a star TE in Trey McBride certainly plays a big factor there, considering led all tight ends in target share with over 29% — good for sixth among all pass catchers. For reference, MHJ ranked 42nd, lower than guys like David Njoku and Michael Pittman Jr.

Call me crazy, but I’m in favor of getting the ball to the generational talent you took fourth overall.

I won’t put the blame on Kyler, because I actually think he’s a pretty solid quarterback who gets a little too much hate. But there were numerous occasions where Marv would be wide open streaking down the field and not even get looked at. It’s the small things like that which prevent this offense from being one of the best in the league — which, considering the solid offensive line and pretty good skill position group, is entirely possible.

This was already a solid roster that improved greatly in the areas it needed to. But the fact remains: I need to see it to believe it. I want to believe in this offense, and I’m excited to see what the defense looks like. But, for now, the glass is neither half-full nor half-empty. It just has some water in it.

X-Factor: QB Kyler Murray

If the Cardinals want to return to the postseason, you’d have to picture Kyler returning to a form like we saw pre-ACL tear. Again, last year wasn’t bad for him by any means — in fact, he posted the highest QBR of his career — but it wasn’t enough to get over the hump. That’s not all his fault. But if he can get just a little closer to the peak of his potential, it’ll be good enough to make up for this team’s shortcomings. We all know he has what it takes to be a top-10 signal caller. It just remains to be seen whether or not he can get there.

Team MVP: TE Trey McBride
Who runs a better corner route than Trey McBride? (h/t Reuters)

To put it plainly, Trey McBride is a damn stud. He has clearly emerged as a top-three tight end in football, and on his best day, he’s probably the best in the league. His route running is wildly polished for his size, he’s almost unguardable at the catch point and fairly effective after the catch. McBride has developed into the ultimate safety blanket for Kyler Murray and one of the biggest ball-demanders in football with 111 receptions last season — good for fourth in the league. Only Brock Bowers was a more productive TE last season, which is pretty good company to keep. For his efforts, McBridge was given a four-year, $76 million extension, making him the highest paid tight end in NFL history. So, this was a pretty easy choice. Entering year four, he’s showing no signs of slowing down and should continue to be the primary weapon in this offense. That is, unless, something in particular happens…

Breakout Candidate: WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

This is the year. There should be a much more conceited effort to get Marv the football, and it’s going to pay dividends. I always thought he was the best receiver in the 2024 class; hell, I thought he was the best player in the draft and one of the most unique talents I’ve ever watched. I still believe that potential is within him, and I still think this is a perfect situation for him to be in. If he consistently sees targets — of which there should be at least 80 or 90 — he should explode this season and become the type of receiver we all expect him to be. He may not eclipse his ’24 draft counterparts in Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. just yet, but it’s only a matter of time before that happens. A player of his skillset and athleticism doesn’t dwell for long.

Record Prediction: 8-9

Like I said with Seattle yesterday, this is a very middle-of-the-pack type of schedule. But with too many unknowns on defense, it’s hard to hand out wins in toss-ups where the tie goes to a clearly better, more well-rounded squad. Road games at Dallas, Tampa Bay, Houston and Cincinnati also stand out as steep hills to climb, and the divisional road games figure to be chalked up as losses as well. A double-digit win season is entirely possible. It just needs to be seen to be believed.

Next up: San Francisco 49ers

32 Teams in 32 Days: Seattle Seahawks

An offensive overhaul creates questions that loom larger than the rainclouds over Seattle. What’s in store for the Seahawks in year two under Mike Macdonald?

Cover photo taken from DraftKings.

Welcome to 32 Teams in 32 Days, a daily series leading up to kickoff of the 2025 NFL season where I preview every team in the league as decided by a wheel spin and project what their season will look like.

The squad with the distinct honor of captaining our maiden voyage is the Seattle Seahawks, a team that I once had quite a disdain for, but have grown to respect quite a lot.

That being said, not everything going on in the PNW is making a lot of sense these days.

Seattle was the only 10-plus win team to not make the playoffs in 2024, missing out by a hair courtesy of some wonky tiebreakers in the NFC. The Seahawks were simply so-so on both sides of the ball with EPA/play on offense of -0.013 and -0.018 on defense, clocking in at 20th and 10th in the league, respectively. Losing a couple of very winnable games — namely against the Giants and Vikings — didn’t help either. Still, it felt like a success of a first season under new head coach Mike Macdonald, and one that could be built upon.

But, the big story of the offseason was a recalibration — there’s a word former Seahawks DC Dan Quinn would be proud of — of the offense, spearheaded by trades that sent away QB Geno Smith and WR DK Metcalf to the Raiders and Steelers, respectively. Those two were the anchors of that side of the ball ever since Smith got there in 2022, connecting for 3,380 yards and 24 touchdowns. I’ve always considered Geno wildly underrated and DK rather overrated, but regardless of subjective perception, there’s no denying that the decision to simultaneously move off both was a little puzzling.

The puzzle got slightly harder to decipher when the Seahawks decided to replace Smith with Sam Darnold, giving the former first-round pick a three-year, $100.5 million contract after a career-rejuvenating season in Minnesota that ended with a whimper. To me, that’s a downgrade. I do like Darnold, but one good season that ended with two of the worst games you’ll see in big moments wouldn’t convince me to move off a consistent guy like Geno, even after a 15-interception campaign. Darnold had an incrementally higher EPA+CPOE at 0.121 compared to Smith’s 0.110, which says more about Geno considering that Seattle’s offensive line was 21st in pass block win rate last year. For reference, Minnesota was 2nd. And, of course, the Vikings have arguably the best receiver in football in Justin Jefferson and an upper echelon WR2 in Jordan Addison.

Whether or not the Seahawks upgraded at QB remains to be seen. (h/t NFL.com)

To that end, the Seahawks do still have a solid group of weapons for Darnold to play with, even with the departure of Metcalf — which isn’t as impactful as it seems. DK worked with Geno because of each of their affinities for the deep ball. With Darnold, things will be more short and intermediate with the ball coming out quickly and decisively. That plays right into the hands of third-year WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba — who is poised for one of the league’s biggest breakouts in 2025 — and newcomer Cooper Kupp who returns home to Washington looking for a new spark. Jake Bobo and Marquez Valdes-Scantling don’t round out the world’s greatest WR room, but Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet make up for that out of the backfield. Plus, second-round rookie TE Elijah Arroyo could prove to be another solid safety blanket.

Unfortunately for that side of the ball, the offensive line still figures to be a weakness. The Seahawks spent a first round pick on standout NDSU lineman Gray Zabel to bolster the interior, but the rest of that group still has many questions to answer. Is Charles Cross capable of being a franchise LT? Is Olu Oluwatimi able to live up to his potential? Will the right side be able to stop a gentle breeze from sneaking through? There are just too many questions.

Fortunately for Seattle, the defense shouldn’t have too many questions to answer. At least no new ones. Again, it was a very middle-of-the-pack lineup across the board, but nothing was as offensively bad as the OL (see what I did there?). Leonard Williams found new life off the edge and Demarcus Lawrence will look to do the same, Byron Murphy II has all the potential in the world to be a top-tier tackle and if healthy, Uchenna Nwosu can make a real impact on and off the ball. Losing Dre’Mont Jones hurts, and I wish there was more of an effort to improve the pass rush, but that effort seemed to go to the secondary instead, drafting athletic freak Nick Emmanwori to bolster a unit that was already pretty solid. Devon Witherspoon is an absolute stud on the boundary, Coby Bryant can play at a high level and Julian Love has been consistent. If Riq Woolen can find his old self, this defense can easily find themselves in the top-10 in passing.

Overall, Seattle might not have done enough to make a true jump from year one to year two under a new regime. If anything, this will be the transition year for the Seahawks when we all thought 2024 was. If that’s the case, then this season could go any which way.

X-Factor: QB Sam Darnold

The Seahawks go as Sam Darnold goes. That probably goes without saying. My big question remains: how does he bounce back from the putrid ending to the 2024 season which saw him lose tens of millions? Because while it might seem like Seattle is trusting him to take over for the next few years, that might not be the case. He could be dropped at the first sign of trouble in favor of rookie QB Jalen Milroe, who was selected in the third round out of Alabama. You’ve got to figure that the Seahawks see more of a future in the athletic monster Milroe, perhaps hoping to shape him into their own version of Jalen Hurts. I’m a fan of his, and I can see a path to him starting late in 2025 — maybe after Seattle is knocked out of playoff contention — and even to begin 2026. Darnold needs to play at the level he was at for the majority of last year with the Vikings and not have the falloff. That’s easier said than done. Jefferson and Addison aren’t here; neither is TJ Hockenson or that offensive line or even that defense. Kevin O’Connell isn’t in his ear anymore. This is more of a prove-it situation than it seems for Sam. Will he fold under the pressure again or find away to make it work?

Team MVP: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Draft JSN in fantasy. Thank me later. (h/t DraftKings)

You thought I was going to go this whole time only talking about JSN one brief time? Negative. The breakout was inevitable last year — 100 catches for 1,130 yards and six TD as an alleged WR2 in year two was something to behold. Now, Smith-Njigba is the clear-cut top option in an offensive scheme which will benefit him much more than last year’s. I can easily see JSN being a 115-plus catch receiver with over 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’ll get 10-to-15 targets a game, many of which coming in the quick game, but he can still take the top off the defense for the big play — especially more than any other receiver on the roster. I think he figures to be a consensus top-10 WR in football in six months. And I get to say “I told you so.”

Breakout Candidate: S Nick Emmanwori

You could see what the vision was when Seattle drafted Emmanwori out of South Carolina in the second round. With Woolen, Witherspoon and Bryant, they’ve been trying to rebuild the Legion of Boom. Now, the hope is that Emmanwori can be their Kam Chancellor. No one has ever tested like him, clocking in with the greatest RAS score for a safety in the history of the Scouting Combine, but his lack of polish outside of athleticism caused his slip into the mid-second round. But, if there’s anyone who can mold him into a truly elite safety, it should be Mike Macdonald. I have high hopes for the kid in this system, and I hope it works out. Because we could all use another Kam Chancellor in our lives.

Record Prediction: 9-8

The schedule ain’t hard, but it ain’t easy either. The NFC West is challenging enough as is, especially with the 49ers looking to get back on track and the Cardinals being sneakily improved. Playing the AFC South helps for what should be three free wins, and Houston has to go up to Seattle in the middle of the year. The NFC South also isn’t too difficult, but who knows what Carolina and Atlanta could be? The point remains: this Seahawks team doesn’t show enough improvement — if any at all — to inspire the confidence that they’ll make a jump into the postseason. Nine wins honestly might be generous here. It all comes down to the man under center. And that’s far too big of a question mark.

Next up: Arizona Cardinals

Is This Thing On?

Football is back, and so am I. An update on where I’ve been, plus what’s coming next in what’ll be another unforgettable fall.

*taps the mic*

Is this thing on?

Hey again. Long time no see. Football is back, and so am I.

Last season was a busy one with wrapping up college and being swamped traveling coast to coast covering Virginia Tech football, so this page regrettably got put on ice. Turns out education and employment are important after all.

As much as I wanted to bring it back during down periods and/or after graduation, it felt disingenuous to pick up in the middle of the season after so much time off. Considering how it turned out for a certain team that dons burgundy and gold, I partially regret that. But I’ll get into that plenty when the time comes.

We’ll see if these two are suiting up together in five weeks’ time. (h/t @Commanders/X)

For the time being, the fact is this — we are back. That means the usual Power Rankings and Picks pieces will be returning once the season starts, but I’m going to do things a little differently this time.

Preseason predictions will start today and run every single day leading up to the opener on Sept. 4 — truly can’t think of a better way to spend my 24th birthday than watching that team raise a banner — in a series of 32 teams in 32 days. Part of me wanted to go in inverse draft order or from best 2024 record to worst, but I’ve decided to introduce a little anarchy and leave it up to chance, more colloquially known as a good ol’ wheel spin. First up later this afternoon: the Seattle Seahawks!

As we get closer to kickoff, I’ll also drop some other pieces here and there such as award predictions, bold predictions, preseason position rankings and maybe even the trusty uniform articles.

But, again, I want to do things differently this time. So I’ll be branching out throughout the 2025 season, touching on teams outside of the nation’s capital a lot more and trying out things like film breakdowns and more in-depth, football-brained posts to try and stir the pot a bit. Gotta put that NFL+ subscription to use somehow other than rewatching Jayden Daniels tape for hours on end.

Combine all that with some stuff that’s cooking behind the scenes, and this should be the best football season from a content and analysis perspective that I’ve ever had. It helps to not be in school anymore — who would’ve thought? I’ve been meaning to do this for a while, and now that pigskin season is right around the corner, I can’t wait to get rocking and rolling.

So, now that the dusty microphone is back on, let’s start talking once more. Sam Darnold, you’re up first.

2023 NFL Awards Predictions

I give my picks for the 2023 NFL award winners, from some chalk selections to some surprising ones.

Cover photo taken from NY Post.

Most Valuable Player: Patrick Mahomes

Every single season that Patrick Mahomes plays in this league, I will pick him to win MVP. To suggest anything else is foolish.

And let’s be real, even if someone else ends up having a surge that wins them an MVP like Jalen Hurts almost had last year, we all know Mahomes is the best player in football. He’s the best player I’ve ever seen, and the best quarterback to ever throw a pass on an NFL field.

He’s entering his second year with a lot of the new weapons he was throwing to in 2022, he still has Travis Kelce, and Andy Reid is still dialing up the plays. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t have just as good of a season as he did last year — where he threw for 5,250 yards and 41 touchdowns and broke the single-season record for total yards — if not a better one.

Considering that the Chiefs will likely once again be the 1 seed in the AFC, and there really isn’t any other choice for MVP.

Offensive Player of the Year: Ja’Marr Chase

I don’t have it on the record, but my predictions for Justin Jefferson in 2022 were perfect. I told everyone I knew with a No. 1 overall pick in fantasy to take him because he was going to post insane numbers and win the OPOY award. Nobody listened, of course.

I was right, of course.

This year, my crystal ball points me to none other than his former LSU teammate Ja’Marr Chase, who might just be my favorite player in the NFL. If you still haven’t drafted yet, I’d ask you what you’re doing, but then I’d tell you to take him if you have the No. 1 pick. Chase has had an incredible start to his career with an incredible rookie year in 2021 and a 2022 season that saw him catch 87 passes for 1,046 yards and 9 touchdowns despite missing five games due to injury.

He has proven himself as one of the top receivers in the league, and his repertoire with Joe Burrow makes them one of the deadliest duos we’ve seen. If Chase stays healthy this season, he’ll have his best year ever. Even in an offense littered with playmakers, Chase stands out as the top weapon. In his third year — just like Jefferson was last year — I think he’ll put together the best season of any receiver in the league.

Defensive Player of the Year: Nick Bosa

In my opinion, Nick Bosa is the best defensive player in the league and the second best player in football. What he has done in his four years in the NFL thus far — 43 sacks in 51 games — is nothing short of remarkable, especially considering he missed almost all of 2020 with an ACL tear. It all culminated in an 18.5-sack DPOY campaign in 2022 and a fresh $170 million bag, making him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history. So why not make it back-to-back?

Bosa isn’t going to slow down just because he got paid. After all, he is the star edge rusher on the best defense in football. I don’t see him slowing down at all. In fact, I think it’s very possible that he could make a run for Michael Strahan/T.J. Watt’s single-season record of 22.5 sacks. There are some very talented pass-rushers in this league — Watt, Micah Parsons, Myles Garrett to name a few — but Bosa stands out above the rest, and I think we’re in for his best season yet.

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Biased pick? Maybe. But I’m not going to apologize.

I went into the draft saying that JSN was the best non-QB on the board, and I still believe that was the case. Although he hurt his wrist in the preseason, he doesn’t look like he’s going to miss any time. And although Seattle has two other great receivers in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, I think the Ohio State product is going to rise to the top as Geno Smith’s favorite target in this prolific offense, making catches left and right with his precise route-running and using his shiftiness after the catch to rack up yards.

I just think JSN fits this offense like a glove and provides the type of skillset that will make him extremely deadly. 1,000+ yards is certainly on the table, and although there will be some other offensive rookies with great numbers like Bijan Robinson and Jordan Addison, it’s hard to believe doing that on a playoff team wouldn’t lock up the award.

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Will Anderson Jr.

I honestly had no idea where to go with this pick. I feel good about a lot of defensive rookies this year — Joey Porter Jr., Devon Witherspoon, Emmanuel Forbes, Christian Gonzalez, Jalen Carter, and so many others. But I settled on Will Anderson because I think he’s in a situation where he can thrive more than anyone else.

He’s the guy off the edge for Houston, and he was hand-picked by new head coach Demeco Ryans because he knew that Anderson could be molded into one of the premier pass rushers in the NFL. Under the tutelage of Ryans, I think the former Alabama star is going to wreak havoc, especially in a division littered with terrible offensive lines. He has a real chance to get upwards of 15 sacks, which should easily land him this award.

Comeback Player of the Year: Damar Hamlin

This is a pretty simple calculus. The first snap Damar Hamlin plays in 2023 will win him this award.

After collapsing on the field in Week 17 of last year against the Bengals and nearly losing his life, Hamlin made the 53-man roster in Buffalo and is going to return to the field for the start of this year. That’s just incredible. The entire sports world rallied behind Hamlin when he first went down, and it’s going to be quite the sight when he goes in for his first snap. His ability to recover and bounce back from such a scary incident is really inspiring.

I personally don’t know if I’d ever play football again if something like that happened to me. But Damar Hamlin is coming back, and that fact alone should win him this award.

Coach of the Year: Doug Pederson

As I said yesterday, I think the Jaguars are going to take a massive leap in year two under Doug Pederson. They’re my AFC 3 seed, and I think they can make a real push at both the 1 seed and even the Super Bowl. Those are things I have never said about the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Pederson’s first season was a resounding success as the Jags won the division and a playoff game before being bounced by the eventual-champs in Kansas City. With an improved offense behind Trevor Lawrence, who is only getting better, and a defense that’s continuing to develop, the Jags will be at the forefront of NFL discussions all year long.

If they beat some of the top teams on their schedule and finish in front of teams like Cincinnati, Baltimore, Buffalo, or the New York Jets in the standings, then Pederson should have this on lock.

2023 AFC Preview and Predictions

With its abundance of young quarterback talent and stacked rosters, the AFC figures to be just as great and entertaining as it was a year ago. But, when it’s all said and done, it should play out just how it always does.

Cover photo taken from CBS Sports.

AFC East

1st: Miami Dolphins (12-5)

It was pretty difficult for me to come to a decision on who’s going to win this division, but I settled on Miami for a few different reasons.

I think their offense will once again be one of the best in football. I feel confident in Tua Tagovailoa to run this offense, and you’d have to imagine there will be a very, very heavy emphasis on keeping him upright this season after last year’s concussion fiascos. If anything happens to him, this team will come under very heavy fire. Even if he goes down, this offense is elite enough to survive. Tyreek Hill is simply the most dynamic offensive player in football and Jaylen Waddle is as good as a WR2 can get. Together, they formed arguably the best receiving duo in football. I do worry about the running game, which was pretty terrible a year ago and hasn’t improved much since. Raheem Mostert will be the lead back with rookie Devon Achane behind him. If Achane splashes, then this offense could be unstoppable. But with the offensive line in a weird spot, it’s hard to see that happening.

The good news is that the Dolphins definitely improved defensively, highlighted by the acquisition of Jalen Ramsey. He did get hurt in camp and will be out until December, but that just means he’ll be healthy and rested in time for Miami’s playoff push and/or run. I also really liked their second round pick in Cam Smith out of South Carolina — a very physical corner who fits the defense very well. The newcomers join a defense with studs like Jevon Holland and Xavien Howard in the secondary and monsters up front like Christian Wilkins, Jerome Baker, Jaelan Phillips, and Bradley Chubb. 

This is simply one of the best rosters in the league, and even though this division should be a tough one, I like the Dolphins’ chances in year two under Mike McDaniel. If Tua is healthy throughout the year, they have no excuse to not win the division. 

2nd: Buffalo Bills (11-6)

I had sky high expectations for the Bills in 2022 and they let me down in a massive way. I picked them to go 15-2 and win the Super Bowl, and although they had a good regular season, they laid their biggest egg to date in an embarrassing home loss to Cincinnati in the Divisional Round. So, I’m going to temper my expectations a bit here.

This team has become extremely predictable in recent years. They’re going to dominate the regular season and light up the stat sheets. Josh Allen is going to dazzle us with his incredible playmaking abilities. They’ll probably beat the Chiefs in the regular season because that’s the only game they care about. Then they’ll make the playoffs and get dealt with thanks to their inability to win in January. The only thing that’s different this season is that I don’t even think they’re going to win the AFC East, but that’s in large part due to them having a tougher schedule than the Dolphins. 

This is essentially the exact same offense as last year with a few minor changes. James Cook is taking over as the full-time RB1, which should help take some of the burden off Josh Allen in the run game. They should also get a boost from a couple rookies: O’Cyrus Torrence at guard and Dalton Kincaid at tight end. I liked both picks, but it might be a bit early for them to make instant impacts. Kincaid probably won’t even start over Dawson Knox, but he should catch a lot of passes. Regardless, this offense is still the same. Josh Allen will force feed Stefon Diggs and run all over the place — a formula that works extremely well until it doesn’t.

The defense is also pretty much the same except for the addition of Leonard Floyd, which should help limit the damage until Von Miller returns from his ACL injury. It’s an elite defense — which was fifth in yards and second in scoring in 2022 — with playmakers all over the place. Even with a very difficult schedule, they should dominate against most teams. 

Again, it’s only in the playoffs that this team forgets how to play football. And I can guarantee it happening once again this January.

3rd: New England Patriots (9-8)

I feel good about this Patriots team, but it only feels right that they’ll essentially be the exact same team we saw a year ago. I just haven’t seen enough improvement across the board to believe they’ll be anything more than mediocre — a fringe playoff team.

The biggest question mark in New England is the quarterback position (still feels weird to say that) as nobody knows whether or not Mac Jones is the guy. The team would have you believe that’s the case considering they released the other QBs on the roster — Bailey Zappe and Malik Cunningham — at the end of the preseason. This is Macaroni’s do-or-die year. He has to return to his 2021 form, or he’s done in this league. He got a weapon this offseason in Juju Smith-Schuster, but I don’t think he’s exactly a bonafide WR1. In fact, I don’t think the Patriots have one at all. Juju, Devante Parker, and Kendrick Bourne are all just… there. I love Rhamondre Stevenson out of the backfield, and I think the addition of Ezekiel Elliott should make them better in the redzone. But this offense is going to be average and straight up boring all year long. Luckily for them, boring works just fine.

New England had a top-10 defense in 2022, and they could be even better this season. I absolutely loved their first round selection Christian Gonzalez, who should bolster that secondary which has been missing its CB1 since Stephon Gilmore left. The trio of Joneses — Jack, Marcus, and Jonathan — are also solid playmakers in that secondary. The defensive line is stacked with Matthew Judon, Deatrich Wise, Davon Godchaux, and Lawrence Guy. I do worry about the middle of the defense, which doesn’t feature very good on-ball linebackers. But I feel good about every other area.

The Patriots are the Commanders of the AFC, but with much better coaching. Their great defense and mid offense will keep them in most games, but ultimately lead them nowhere as they miss out on the playoffs and end up with a mid-tier draft pick.

4th: New York Jets (9-8)

I’m sick of hearing about the Jets. I’m sick of talking about the Jets. The hype is warranted, but we need to start being realistic about what this team is actually going to be in 2023. 

Yes, the young talent on this roster is astounding. Yes, they have the reigning OROY and DROY in Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner — two of my favorite players in football. Yes, they have one of the best defensive tackles in football in Quinnen Williams and perhaps the most underrated corner in the league in D.J. Reed. And yes, they added Aaron Rodgers — one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time — to try and lead them to a Super Bowl. 

No, I do not care.

Let’s stick to the facts. The most important thing to consider here is that Aaron Rodgers is coming off a season where he posted the worst passer rating of his career and his off-the-field weirdness clouded anything he did on the field. He hasn’t thrown for 300 or more yards since 2021. He’s going to turn 40 this year. It’s not exactly bold to assume that he’s not magically going to return to form. But that’s not the only problem I have with this offense. Outside of Garrett Wilson, I don’t feel good about anything the Jets have going on. Breece Hall is a great player, but coming off an ACL tear. Their WR2 is… Allen Lazard? And the offensive line is an injury-prone mess. I liked the Dalvin Cook pickup, but considering the Jets rushed for less than 100 yards per game last year, I don’t think he’ll provide much out of the backfield from a rushing perspective. Him and Hall will catch a lot of passes, but that’s only going to take you so far. And it certainly doesn’t help when you don’t exactly have an offensive head coach and your offensive coordinator is one of the weirdest personalities in football who just had perhaps one of the worst head coaching stints in recent memory. I wouldn’t be remotely shocked if this offense straight up sucks for a while until they get their bearings set. 

I do love this defense, however. As I said, Sauce Gardner is one of my favorite players in football, D.J. Reed is criminally underrated on the other side, Quinnen Williams is a beast up front, and C.J. Mosley is a commanding presence in the middle. This defense was in the top four in yards, passing yards, and scoring last year without forcing many turnovers for a reason. Maybe if the defense does get more takeaways, they can be the best in the league. 

Combine all of this with the fact that the Jets won’t win a game until October, and you simply don’t have a playoff team. They’ll lose to the Bills, Cowboys, Patriots, and Chiefs to open the year, and when they sit at 0-4, there will be a lot of questions to answer. And when your QB is Aaron Rodgers, an 0-4 hole isn’t easy to dig out of. He’ll quit on your team at the earliest convenience. 

AFC North

1st: Cincinnati Bengals (12-5)

There really isn’t much to say about the Bengals that hasn’t already been said. I’m pretty sure my preview of them from last year could suffice today. They are still the class of the AFC North — even if some other teams are starting to catch up with them — and they will be very, very hungry to win.

The 2023 Bengals offense will be largely similar to last season’s as Joe Burrow continues to lead the charge with the assistance of the consensus best WR trio in the league of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd. I think Burrow and Chase are in for their biggest season yet, but that’s a story for tomorrow. Joe Mixon is back in the backfield after taking a paycut, and Burrow might have finally found a rock defending his blindside in Orlando Brown Jr. Let it be known that I was not a fan of this move, as I don’t really like Brown as a pass-blocker. But I trust Joe Burrow more than all but one quarterback in this league, and even with him suffering a calf strain in camp, I think he’ll be just fine. This offense will continue to be elite, especially with Chase hopefully being healthy for a full season, and it should win them most games.

The biggest changes in the defense are the emergence of two second-year players as impact starters — safety Dax Hill and corner Cam Taylor-Britt. These two former Big Ten stars ended last year very well, and Hill has had a great camp and preseason as the Jessie Bates replacement. While the secondary has struggled at times, I think they will be elite this year. If guys like Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton can put together solid years, this could be one of the best pass defenses in the league after a tough 2022.

The AFC North is bound to cannibalize itself this year, but I think the Bengals have the experience and talent to come out on top. I trust them more than any other team in the division, and I think they’re destined for greatness in 2023. 

2nd: Baltimore Ravens (11-6)

I don’t know if it’s an overstatement to say that the Ravens haven’t had expectations this high in the Lamar Jackson era. After a fantastic offseason that saw Jackson finally get the bag and some weapons to throw to, Baltimore is one of the favorites to win it all this year. 

The key additions in the Charm City are Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers who join Rashod Bateman to form the most boom-or-bust receiving trio I’ve ever seen. Bateman has flashed when healthy, but he has missed far more games than he has played since being drafted in the first round in 2021. Beckham hasn’t played a football game since tearing his ACL in Super Bowl LVI, and he has always had his own injury problems. Flowers is an undersized but lightning-quick rookie who could be Baltimore’s version of Tyreek Hill. Mark Andrews is coming off a down year, but is still one of the best tight ends in the league. If these guys stay healthy and Flowers ends up being the caliber of player the Ravens had in mind when selecting him in the first round, this could be a top passing offense in football. They also need new OC Todd Monken to prove that he’s more than just a great college coordinator, which might be a tall task. But everyone has injury concerns, including the QB himself and even the running backs on the roster like J.K. Dobbins. In each of the last two seasons, injuries have completely ruined the Ravens, who could have accomplished so much more if they were healthy. It’s simply not a given that they’ll be completely healthy, and that’s why I can’t pick them to win this division.

The other side of the ball should be as solid as ever. The Ravens defense was top three in scoring and rushing yards a year ago, and they could be even better this year. They have what is likely the best linebacking core in the league with Roquan Smith, Patrick Queen, Odafe Oweh, and Jadeveon Clowney, which gives them the perfect blend of pass-rushing and run-stopping ability. The secondary is highlighted by Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Williams, and I liked the addition of Rock Ya-Sin. If 2022 first-rounder Kyle Hamilton develops into the generational safety talent that he was at Notre Dame, this could end up as a much improved unit, which would be a massive leap after being the seventh-worst pass defense in 2022. 

I think this roster is good enough to contend for a division title. But I just don’t know what to expect out of their offense, and that makes me hesitant to claim them as anything other than a Wild Card team. But, this is the wild AFC North, and anything can happen down the stretch.

3rd: Pittsburgh Steelers (11-6)

In short, the Steelers are like a better version of the Patriots. They have a young QB who thrived in college and could develop into a solid starter in the pros. They have one of the best coaches in NFL history who refuses to lose. They have a great defense that will keep them in most games. But the difference in Pittsburgh is that their offense actually looks like it’s ready to take a leap.

Kenny Pickett had a great preseason, and although I’ve been rude to him in the past, I think he’s poised to make a big leap this year. It helps that he has plenty of weapons at his disposal. George Pickens is an absolute freak out wide, Diontae Johnson is one of the most underrated receivers in the league, Pat Friermuth is a very solid tight end, and Najee Harris should have a bounce-back year behind a potentially improved offensive line. I loved the move to trade up and snag Broderick Jones, who they hope is their franchise left tackle in the making. With Pickett having a year under him and a full preseason as the starter, I think this offense should be much better than the mess it was in 2022.

As always, Pittsburgh’s defense will be elite. They have two of the best defensive players in the sport in T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, the ageless wonder Cameron Hayward in the defensive interior, a new solid edge rusher in Larry Ogunjobi, a budding star in the middle in Alex Highsmith, and a potentially improved secondary with additions like Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace. A better defensive backfield will help take the Steelers over the top, and I think at the very least they should be better than last year. 

Combine all of these improvements with the fact that the Steelers play one of the easiest schedules in football and are coached by Mike Tomlin and it becomes pretty obvious that this team will be contending not just for a playoff spot, but a division title. Unfortunately for them, I have them just missing out due to the way the rest of the conference shakes up as well as tiebreakers. But it wouldn’t shock me at all if one or two games went their way to help get them into the dance. 

4th: Cleveland Browns (6-11)

Do I have to? Fine.

The Browns are a solid football team. But that’s about it. They’re okay, probably average and nothing more. I’m not going to talk about their quarterback because I’m sick of doing that. Their offensive line and run game needs no explanation as it was the sixth-best in the league last year thanks to the dominance of their elite front five and star RB Nick Chubb. The rest of the offense, however, was rather terrible thanks to shoddy quarterback play no matter who was under center and no real playmakers other than Amari Cooper — who is still just incredible at what he does. I don’t think this offense will be as poor as they were a year ago, but I don’t think they’ll be anything special either. The quarterback’s best days are far behind him, and the running game will only take them so far.

The defense is still solid and should be better with some key additions up front like Shelby Harris and Za’Darius Smith. Myles Garrett will wreak havoc on backfields as always, and the secondary is actually sneaky elite. The Browns had the sixth-best passing defense in the league last year, which I find really interesting. Denzel Ward is obviously elite, but other guys like Grant Delpit and Greg Newsome have come along well. I think the addition of Juan Thornhill back there will also help out. 

So, Cleveland has a very meh offense with a solid defense. In a division where that can work, you’d think they’d do better than just six wins. But I think you really need a good offense to compete in this division. With them having the worst one of these four teams, I think it’s fairly obvious that they’ll be in the basement yet again. You’ll hear no complaints about that from me.

AFC South

1st: Jacksonville Jaguars (12-5)

The Jaguars are going to be so, so good this year. It helps that they play in the worst division in football where the other three teams are each going to be picking in the top 10 of next year’s draft. But more than anything, this is one of the most exciting young teams in football that should build off a wildly successful 2022 and contend for the conference title this year.

Doug Pederson proved to be one of the best head coaching hires of last year as he helped get Trevor Lawrence to elite QB status and the new offensive weapons proved to be great additions as Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Travis Etienne all had good years. Now, they get Calvin Ridley back from a suspension to be their bonafide WR1, and I think that’s absolutely massive for this offense. Lawrence to Ridley could be one of the top duos in all of football this year. In fact, I’d be shocked if it wasn’t. The offensive line isn’t great, but the run game was still effective last year, and should be better this year with the addition of Tank Bigsby — a physical back to complement Etienne perfectly — through the draft. Considering how terrible some of the defenses in this division are, this offense should be one of the best in the league. 

The defense also proved their worth last year, as they’re the ones who really got the Jags into the playoffs in their division-clinching Week 18 victory over Tennessee. There’s playmakers everywhere, especially in the linebacking core. Josh Allen and Travon Walker are great pass rushers — and Walker still has the chance to develop into a superstar after being taken first overall a year ago — and Devin Lloyd and Foye Oluokun are tackle machines in the middle. The secondary certainly leaves a lot to be desired, but they had their moments last year. They really need someone to step up and be the leader of that unit. I was surprised they didn’t address it more through the draft, and it could really hurt the Jags in the playoffs, but they have a while to figure it out.

Jacksonville gets six free wins and should win five or six more elsewhere. They’re probably the biggest lock for the playoffs in the entire NFL. Once they get there, I think they could even more damage than they did a year ago.

2nd: Tennessee Titans (6-11)

I think the Titans could truly be one of the worst teams in the league, but they have one of the best head coaches in football in Mike Vrabel and a truly elite defense. Even when you think they’re going to be awful, they just find ways to win. So I’m not going to predict them to be totally terrible, even if they lost seven straight games to close out the 2022 season and had a very boring offseason.

This offense was bottom-five in total yards, passing yards, and scoring a year ago largely thanks to an injury to Ryan Tannehill and terrible QB play in relief of him combined with a complete and utter lack of playmakers. Even with the addition of DeAndre Hopkins — which means virtually nothing, by the way — this is probably the worst skill position group in football. DHop’s best days are behind him, and the millionth straight year of riding Derrick Henry just doesn’t seem like it’ll be as fruitful as it has been in the past, especially behind such a dreadful offensive line. Tannehill’s time will be up soon, whether that’s due to injury or ability isn’t a concern. They drafted Malik Willis last year and Will Levis this year because they know they need a QB. Unfortunately for the Titans, I don’t have much faith in either of those guys to be a franchise QB. I think this team is pretty much doomed on that side of the ball.

The defense should still be really good thanks to an absolutely stacked front seven and very solid secondary. Jeffrey Simmons is one of the best defensive tackles in the league, Denico Autry and Harold Landry are great pass-rushers, Azeez Al-Shaair was a great free agent pickup, and Kevin Byard is still holding it down at safety. But nothing this defense does will be able to make up for how poor the offense is. 

The combination of the defense with Mike Vrabel’s coaching will win them games, especially against the younger rebuilding teams in the division. But I think the Titans could be a sneaky awful team this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if they dealt Derrick Henry at some point this season. And I’d support a move like that. The sooner they kick this rebuild into high gear, the better. 

3rd: Houston Texans (5-12)

The Texans made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason when they selected C.J. Stroud with the No. 2 pick in the draft to be their franchise quarterback before trading all the way up from No. 12 to No. 3 to select Will Anderson to be their franchise edge rusher. New head coach and hometown hero Demeco Ryans has his two key players to build a team around, and I fully support him. I will say that not having a first round pick this year certainly hurts considering how stacked the incoming draft class is at the top, including Stroud’s former Ohio State buddy Marvin Harrison Jr. But I generally like the direction the Texans are going in.

In Stroud’s rookie year, the offense is likely going to struggle. He doesn’t have much to work with to be fair. His WR1 is Nico Collins for crying out loud. Luckily, his offensive line is very solid, and he has a workhorse RB in Dameon Pierce, who should have a very solid sophomore campaign. The defense — which was one of the worst in football a year ago — will probably be bad once again, but they’re starting to put some pieces together. Anderson joins a unit with two studs in the secondary in Jalen Pitre and Derek Stingley, but the rest of the defense is just a bunch of guys. The good news is that Demeco Ryans can squeeze great play out of any defense, so I think they should at the very least be better than they were in 2022. But that’s a very low bar. 

I’d say the rebuild is off to a solid start in Houston. We’ll need to see some solid evidence of that this year to justify giving up their top selection in this April’s draft. As it stands, the Cardinals are licking their chops at the prospect of having both the No. 1 and No. 2 picks. Please don’t let that happen.

4th: Indianapolis Colts (4-13)

I think the Colts will be the second worst team in football this year, allowing them to select Marvin Harrison Jr. to come home and play for his pop’s old team. Between that and the Rams letting Caleb Williams stay in Hollywood, the NFL script is starting to get a bit obvious, isn’t it?

All jokes aside, the Colts are the worst team in the AFC, but that doesn’t mean they’re not trending in the right direction. Much has been made of the selection of Anthony Richardson with the No. 4 pick in the draft, but no one is doubting that he has the potential to be a great QB in this league. He’s an incredible athlete with a generational arm. If he gets sculpted into an actual NFL quarterback, he will undoubtedly be a franchise player in Indy. It doesn’t help that the won’t have his elite running back behind him as Jonathan Taylor is still injured and might not even end up playing for the Colts if they don’t pay him. Seriously, what is Jim Irsay doing? Is it safe to say he’s now the worst owner in pro football? I think so. Anyhow, a RB tandem of Deon Jackson and Zack Moss in Taylor’s absence isn’t exactly inspiring. Neither is a receiving core consisting of Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, and Isaiah McKenzie, although I loved the selection of Josh Downs in the third round. Even the offensive line doesn’t look great, even with one of the best guards in the league in Quenton Nelson holding down the middle. With Richardson’s development being the emphasis of this offense, I think it’s possible that they end up as the worst in the league.

Then there’s the defense, which seemingly has no business being bad, but was the fourth-worst scoring defense in football a year ago. You’d think with guys like Kwity Paye, Shaquille Leonard, and DeForest Buckner up front that this defense would cook. Quite the opposite! The secondary is simply terrible outside of Kenny Moore, but the Colts did a good job of addressing that through the draft by selecting JuJu Brents in the second round and Jaylon Jones in the seventh. With luck, the defense won’t be as porous as they were last year. But with the offense in a very sorry state, I think these guys will just be gassed down the stretch. 

All of this adds up to Indianapolis being one of the worst teams in football. It just makes too much sense. But that’s not a problem for the Colts. As long as Richardson shows signs of development and they sort out the front office nonsense, this season will be a success. And if they wind up with the No. 1 pick and get to trade it away for a king’s ransom? They’ll be set.

AFC West

1st: Kansas City Chiefs (14-3)

The defending Super Bowl champions who have the best quarterback ever, one of the best tight ends ever, and one of the best coaches ever are going to run through the AFC yet again en route to another 1-seed. Shocking, right?

To put it in the simplest possible terms, as long as Patrick Mahomes quarterbacks this team, they will be division winners and guaranteed to be in the AFC Championship Game. His MVP season and playoff run last year — which was primarily on one damn leg — was astonishing. It didn’t matter that they lost Tyreek Hill. It didn’t matter that their WRs were largely below average. It didn’t matter that the rest of the AFC West spent over $500 million on key free agent acquisitions to stop him. He can’t be stopped. And he won’t be stopped this year either. Even with the WRs being largely the same, he’s guaranteed to cut up defenses all year long. It helps that Travis Kelce continues to dominate the NFL, even as he enters his mid-30s. This week’s news about his knee injury is definitely a cause for concern, so we’ll see how that shapes up as the week progresses. But as it currently stands, there’s no reason to believe that they won’t continue to be the most dominant duo in the NFL that carries this offense to New Heights (sorry, I had to).

As it stands, the defense isn’t in the best spot as Chris Jones continues to hold out and still hasn’t returned to the team. But the Chiefs are a well-run organization that’s smart enough to realize that they should pay their best defensive player. He’ll be back soon enough. I have high hopes for this defense though, considering they just won the Super Bowl while starting rookies all over the place. Those young guys like George Karlaftis up front and Trent McDuffie in the secondary have experience under their belt now, and I think this defense will be much improved from a year ago. Once Jones returns, they have the chance to be elite.

Like I said, it’s a simple calculus. Mahomes. Reid. Kelce. Jones. 1 seed. Sixth straight AFC Championship Game at home. Back-to-back Super Bowl titles? Very, very likely.  

2nd: Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)

The Chargers, man. They never change. A blown 27-0 lead in last year’s Wild Card game in Jacksonville certainly led this franchise to do some soul searching in the offseason. Luckily, I think this summer was a good one in Los Angeles.

The biggest success of the offseason was locking up Justin Herbert with a massive long-term deal, which was due. He is in the upper echelon of QBs in the NFL no matter what narratives people like to push, and he deserves every penny. I do wish the Chargers gave him some better receivers to work with — I wasn’t a big fan of taking Quentin Johnston in the first round when guys like Jordan Addison and Zay Flowers were on the board — but Keenan Allen and Mike Williams will still do their thing. It certainly helps that Austin Ekeler is back after requesting a trade. He continues to absolutely decimate defenses out of the backfield, and is easily the most important skill position player on this team. Getting him back was massive for this offense. With an improving offensive line and the addition of a real offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore, I have no doubt that LA should boast one of the top offenses in the NFL this year.

The defense was a massive letdown in 2022, and I honestly have no idea what to expect from it this year. Injuries did bite them, and the secondary was actually pretty solid, but this feels like it has to be the year for these pieces to come together and form an elite unit. When you have guys like Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack up front with J.C. Jackson, Asante Samuel Jr., and Derwin James in the secondary, there’s no excuse to be anything but great. Luckily, Derrick Ansley is here to save the day. He was clearly a fantastic coordinator in Tennessee and should help whip LA’s defense into shape. 

So, the Chargers are doing some good things. They will certainly be a playoff team. But at the end of the day, they’re still the Chargers. They’re guaranteed to fall apart when it matters most. It’s really a damn shame for a team that I really, really like.

3rd: Denver Broncos (6-11)

The Broncos are a joke. And the joke sucks. I truly hate talking about them. It’s a shame for such a proud organization to be going out so sad.

It’s crystal clear that last year’s Russell Wilson trade was a complete and utter disaster that could go down as one of the worst trades in NFL history. It didn’t help that they also made one of the worst head coaching hires ever in Nathaniel Hackett, who didn’t even make it to New Year’s before being told to kick rocks. Enter Sean Payton, who comes out of retirement to clean up this mess. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m not very confident that he can. I have no faith in this roster, and I don’t have much faith in him as a coach these days either. I know he’s supposed to be this quarterback guru, but let’s be real here — Russell Wilson is beyond saving. His arm is shot, his confidence is shot, he lacks the mobility that made him truly great, and he’s just so weird off the field. There’s a reason that the internet enjoys making fun of Russ more than any other player in football. The rest of the offense isn’t even bad — the offensive line was improved in free agency through the additions of Mike McGlinchey and Ben Powers, the receivers are solid, and Javonte Williams is back. But you have to dig deeper to see the problems. McGlinchey completely fell off a cliff in the last couple of years in San Francisco, Jerry Jeudy can’t stay healthy, Marvin Mims is an unproven rookie, and Javonte Williams is coming off an ACL tear. Even when this team was healthy, they were the single worst offense in the league. There’s nothing here to convince me that’s going to change. 

However, this defense is truly special. It was their only saving grace for most of last season. There was a time where they had the top scoring defense in the league and the worst scoring offense in the league. That’s just unheard of. But there’s simply studs all over this unit, even with some key losses like Dre’mont Jones. They added Frank Clark to go alongside Randy Gregory off the edges, Josey Jewell holds down the middle, and the secondary is stacked to the brim with Pat Surtain II — perhaps the best corner in football — Justin Simmons, and others. I don’t know if they’ll be the best defense in the NFL or even the AFC, but they will certainly be near the top.

So I guess the 2023 Broncos will just be a slightly better version of the 2022 Broncos. Spoiler alert: that’s still pretty bad.  

4th: Las Vegas Raiders (5-12)

The Raiders are essentially in the same spot they were last year, but slightly worse. They still have so many elite players, but they have nothing else outside of them, and they will be sabotaged by their abysmal coaching staff. I think they’ll be firmly in the running for the No. 1 pick in the draft.

The offense will look vastly different now that Derek Carr is gone. All of those downfield throws will be replaced by dinks and dunks over the middle as Jimmy Garoppolo takes over under center, reuniting with his old buddy from New England Josh McDaniels. Josh Jacobs is back on a new deal, which is absolutely huge for this offense, as he made this abysmal offensive line look elite en route to leading the NFL in rushing last year. And of course they have one of the league’s best wide receivers in Davante Adams, who should inhale targets like Kirby this year. But the rest of the offense is just sad. As I said, the line is terrible, and they don’t have any other real pass-catchers now that Darren Waller is gone. Maybe Michael Mayer emerges as a solid rookie tight end or Jakobi Meyers becomes a bonafide WR2. But there’s not much reason to believe any of that will happen with McDaniels leading this team.

The defense has perhaps the best edge-rushing duo in the league in Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones with a great defensive tackle in Jerry Tillery and an athletic freak at linebacker in Divine Deablo. The secondary isn’t much to look at, but I wouldn’t say it’s terrible by any means. Despite all of this, the Raiders had one of the worst defenses in the NFL last year, statistically speaking. With Patrick Graham back at defensive coordinator, I don’t see that changing, even with the abundance of talent in the unit. 

I think the Raiders are more talented the Broncos in bunches, but they’re just worse overall and have a much worse defense. So, when it comes down to it, this is your last place team in the AFC West. And they might end up being one of the worst teams in the AFC as a whole.  

Playoff Picture

1 – Kansas City Chiefs (14-3)

2 – Miami Dolphins (12-5)

3 – Jacksonville Jaguars (12-5)

4 – Cincinnati Bengals (12-5)

5 – Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)

6 – Buffalo Bills (11-6)

7 – Baltimore Ravens (11-6)

Wild Card Weekend

Dolphins over Ravens: If last year’s matchup between these two teams is any indication, this would be a thriller. I do think both defenses are better now than they were in that game, but in any case, these two teams matchup very well with one another and would provide a fantastic contest. I simply like Miami’s roster better from top to bottom, and I’d have to give them the edge in a very close one.

Jaguars over Bills: Death. Taxes. The Bills unceremoniously going out earlier than expected in the playoffs. This one just feels right. The Jags are trending upwards at an exponential rate while the Bills just seem to be plateauing. This is the type of game that establishes Jacksonville as one of the NFL’s premier teams and puts Trevor Lawrence on the podium as one of the league’s three best quarterbacks.

Bengals over Chargers: This game would be simply awesome. Two of the best young QBs in the NFL duking it out in the playoffs is essentially what the AFC has turned into, but we haven’t gotten this matchup just yet. I’d have to give the edge Cincinnati being the home team with the better roster. I think the Bengals are starving to get back to the Super Bowl, and they’re not going to let the NFL’s living embodiment of a choking hazard stand in their way.

Divisional Round

Chiefs over Bengals: Simply put, the winner of this game will win the Super Bowl. It’d be a damn shame if this wasn’t the AFC Championship for the third straight year. Alas, I’ll settle for another classic in the Divisional Round. We know the Bengals are capable of beating the Chiefs anywhere on any field. We know they’re going to be desparate for revenge after last year’s title game. But I learned my lesson in January and February of this year. I’m not picking against #15 in a spot like this. He has proven time and time again that he just wills his team to win. And I think he’d do that to the Bengals once again. For as long as this rivalry exists, I just don’t think we’ll see a game like the 2021 AFC Championship Game again. Patrick Mahomes won’t let that happen.

Jaguars over Dolphins: I think Florida might collapse in on itself if this ends up being a huge playoff game. I also think that it’d be one hell of a matchup. Two of the best young offenses in football going at it is something that the AFC playoffs are made for. Although I think the Dolphins have a better defense than the Jaguars, I think Trevor Lawrence is the difference in this game. When the going gets tough, I trust him far more than I trust Tua Tagovailoa. I think he’ll once again lead his team to victory and carry the Jags to their first AFC title game since the infamous 2017 matchup against the Patriots.

AFC Championship Game

Chiefs over Jaguars: This game would essentially be apropos of the 2022 Divisional Round matchup, except Patrick Mahomes would be healthy for the whole game. That means that Kansas City would probably win comfortably. I love what the Jaguars are doing, but this is the tallest task in the NFL. One does not simply beat the Chiefs in Arrowhead in the playoffs. Maybe one day they’ll get there. But I don’t think this is that day.

So it’ll be a Super Bowl LIV rematch this February in Las Vegas with the Chiefs taking on the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. Bold prediction on my part, I know. Simply put, I’m never going to pick against Patrick Mahomes. So I’ve got the Chiefs going back-to-back as Mahomes wins his third ring in six years as a starter and Kansas City establishes their dynasty behind the best quarterback to ever play the sport.

All stats taken from ESPN.

2023 NFC Preview and Predictions

The NFC is still the more top-heavy of the two conferences, but I think that it will be much improved in 2023, featuring some teams that are bound to surge or resurge, and some that are going to crash.

Cover photo taken from Sports Illustrated.

NFC East

1st: Philadelphia Eagles (13-4)

We begin with the defending conference champions, who most keen observers had being a great team last year, but not many had in the Super Bowl. I thought they lacked the experience to be a contender, but they were simply so dominant across the board that it didn’t matter. A lot of people have pointed to their subpar schedule of opposing QBs in 2022 — which included Josh Johnson after Brock Purdy was knocked out of the NFC Championship Game against the 49ers — but we all know the Eagles were still the class of the conference. After giving Jalen Hurts the extremely well-deserved bag and once again nailing the offseason, the Birds appear to be in prime position to make amends and chase after that elusive second Lombardi Trophy.

The offense, which was top three in yards and scoring a year ago, is somehow even better thanks to the addition of D’Andre Swift from Detroit via a draft day trade. All of the key skill position players are back, and the offensive line is once again ready to be one of the best in football. The only “key” loss was Miles Sanders to Carolina, but the offensive scheme in Philly should be able to make Swift just as effective as Sanders was out of the backfield. OC Shane Steichen departed for Indianapolis, but his replacement Brian Johnson knows this offense in and out. They will still be just as efficient and prolific as they were a year ago when Jalen Hurts nearly won MVP and A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith each caught 80+ passes for 1,100+ yards.

I expect the Eagles defense to take a step back defensively with the loss of DC Jonathan Gannon combined with a first-place schedule. But there’s still ballers all over the place that will make this an elite unit. First round DT Jalen Carter — who many believed was the best player in the class, but fell to the No. 9 selection due to off-the-field issues at Georgia — joins an already loaded defensive front which feasted all year long in 2022. Last year’s third round steal Nakobe Dean will take over for Kyzir White and T.J. Edwards in the middle and should feast. The secondary got a lift by bringing back James Bradberry, but other than him and Darius Slay, there isn’t a lot to like in the defensive backfield. I think Kelee Ringo and Eli Ricks could develop into stars, but they don’t figure to see. the field much in their rookie seasons. They showed just how much they struggled against real QBs in the Super Bowl when Patrick Mahomes diced them up. After all, it was a defensive holding on Bradberry –which was 100% the right call — that lost them the game. Against much tougher opposition, I think that unit could hold the Birds back a bit in 2023.

Still, the Eagles have the talent across the board and the culture under Nick Sirianni to thrive. Hurts is continuing to blossom into one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL, both sides of the ball are stacked, and we know what they are capable of. They’re a surefire contender.

2nd: Dallas Cowboys (11-6)

It’s very difficult for me to say this, but the Cowboys might be the best team in the entire NFC… and even the entire league. They had a great offseason coming off another solid regular season that ended in a disappointing playoff loss to the 49ers. Some might say that this is just a repeat of last year which doesn’t inspire much confidence in a team that hasn’t done so in damn near three decades. And that’s totally fair. But I just get the feeling that this is the year it comes together for the Cowboys.

I’ve been a Dak Prescott pessimist — even a hater — for a long time now. He led the league in interceptions last year with 15 despite missing five games. That’s pretty impressive. But he’s still a capable starter. And if he doesn’t make it work with this offense, then I just don’t know what to do with him. Brandin Cooks joins CeeDee Lamb — one of my favorite players in football — and Michael Gallup to form one of the best WR trios in the sport. Ezekiel Elliott is finally gone and Tony Pollard is now the RB1, where he can thrive as one of the premier pass-catching backs in football. And of course the offensive line needs no introduction. I worry about the tight end position after Dalton Schultz hopped across the state to join the Texans, but the young guys like Jake Ferguson and Luke Schoonmaker figure to fill his role very well. They were drafted high by a typically good drafting organization for a reason.

But it’ll be the defense that takes Dallas to the next level in 2023. They selected Michigan DT Mazi Smith to beef up their interior alongside Osa Odighizuwa while Demarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons wreak havoc off the edges. The middle of the defense is questionable, but the secondary is now loaded thanks to the acquisition of Stephon Gilmore from Indianapolis. I’ve really liked what I’ve seen from Trevon Diggs lately as he learns to actually be a corner and not just a ballhawk. Combine those two with guys like Jourdan Lewis and Malik Hooker, and this defense will do what it does best — force turnovers. In a division and a conference with some pretty solid passing offenses, that can and will put them over the top.

But the problem with Dallas is and always has been Mike McCarthy. He’s just such an inept in-game coach, which goes disastrously when combined with Dak’s in-game ineptitude that usually rears its ugly head when the going gets tough. I think those two will always be what holds this team back in its biggest moments.

3rd: Washington Commanders (7-10)

To put it simply, the Commanders will never be anything more than a 7 to 8-win team under Ron Rivera. I said the same thing last season when I also predicted a 7-10 record, and they went 8-8-1. Under Rivera, Washington has won 7, 7, and 8 games, and I don’t see much to assuage me of the notion that nothing is going to change. We are never going to be good enough to contend, and we are never going to be bad enough to get a franchise-changing player in the draft. We will just be… mid. And this purgartory-esque cycle will only continue as long as Rivera is the head coach.

Let’s get the obvious stuff out of the way. The energy around this team has never been higher thanks to the new ownership, which I’m very thankful for. I think it will be truly awesome to see the fanbase show up and show out this season as we enter a new era of football in the District.

We all know how great this defense is, and I think the selection of CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr. in the first round was a tremendous pick as he gives the secondary a playmaker that was previously lacking. Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne will continue to be the best defensive interior duo in football while Montez Sweat and Chase Young figure to ball out off the edges in contract seasons — we’ll see how healthy Chase stays. The linebacking core is… not great, which has been the case for Rivera’s entire tenure. You’d think a former linebacker would figure this out by now. Unless Jamin Davis finally develops into the guy this staff saw in him when they selected him in the first round, he and Cody Barton figure to hold the unit as a whole back. But there’s only so much they can or can’t do. Every other unit is stacked, and this should be an elite defense once again.

Then there’s the issue of the offense, which figures to take a leap under new OC Eric Bieniemy — a two-time Super Bowl champion with Kansas City. The wide receiver trio is well-respected with Terry McLaurin being the guy and finally getting the bag this offseason, Jahan Dotson being a widely-recognized stud who is only going to get better, and Curtis Samuel continuing to be a Swiss Army knife. The backs are also solid with Brian Robinson Jr. being the workhorse and Antonio Gibson catching passes out of the backfield. The offensive line is rather terrible and a massive concern that has rather suspiciously not been remotely addressed in recent years. Acquiring Andrew Wylie — who was one of the worst right tackles in all of football in 2022 — is not exactly a marquee move. But all eyes are on the man under center. Sam Howell enters the fray at QB after a wild ride since his sophomore year at North Carolina. We all know he’s had a great camp and preseason, but I really still need to see it to believe it. It’s one thing to make plays in practice and against backups. It’s another thing to do it in the regular season against stout competition. I have faith in Sam, and I really hope he works out. But with a certain USC QB looming in the 2024 draft, I also wouldn’t mind if this offense led us down the gutter.

4th: New York Giants (6-11)

The 2023 New York Football Giants are like James Harden at the top of the key — guaranteed to take a step back.

I do want to proceed with caution here. I picked the Giants to go 2-15 and finish with the No. 1 overall pick in 2022. They ended up with a 9-7-1 record en route winning a road playoff game against a 13-4 Vikings team. Brian Daboll’s first season was a resounding success and he was named AP Coach of the Year. But I’m here to tell you that I do not care.

For starters, I still don’t buy Daniel Jones. Yes, he had a good season last year. But how good do we really think he is? He threw 15 touchdowns in 16 games. Yes, he was tremendous on the ground, but I have a feeling that defenses will actually know how to stop him this year. It definitely helps to have Saquon Barkley back, but can the running ability of a QB and RB make up for the complete lack of weapons at WR? Because something about a receiving trio of Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, and Parris Campbell doesn’t move me. Hodgins had a very nice year in 2022, but Campbell is too injury-prone and Slayton is too inconsistent for me to be impressed. Unless rookie Jalin Hyatt learns that there’s more to the position than running fast in a straight line, I don’t see this passing offense being threatening. And I think the run game could definitely hit some snags, especially if Barkley can’t stay healthy like he was able to last year.

The good news for New York is that the defense is still really good. The front seven is absolutely loaded with guys like Leonard Williams, Dexter Lawrence, Azeez Ojulari, Bobby Okereke, and Kayvon Thibodeaux. That unit alone will carry them to the top half of all defenses in football. But man, I have some reservations about this secondary. Xavier McKinney had a nice 2022 and Adoree Jackson saw a mini-resurgence, but the Giants will be inserting two rookies at corner with first rounder Deonte Banks — who I loved out of Maryland — and sixth rounder Tre Hawkins. I just can’t get behind these guys.

Maybe they prove me wrong again. Maybe Daboll coaches his ass off yet again and the Giants sneak in once more. But I think the rest of the NFC should be much improved, and I think this team is simply going to take a very natural step back.

NFC North

1st: Green Bay Packers (12-5)

Have I learned my lesson? Absolutely not. Do I care? Absolutely not. The Packers are coming back in 2023, and they’re coming with a vengeance.

My love for Jordan Love is well-documented, and I believe he’s going to lead Green Bay back to where they want to be. I genuinely believe this team has upgraded at QB by getting rid of Aaron Rodgers and finally handing the keys to the franchise to the young star. He’s had three years to sit and learn and should absolutely thrive in this offense. He has the talent to make every throw, and I believe he will do just that. It helps that the offensive skill position players are young and talented as well. When your veteran in that regard is Aaron Jones, you’re in a good spot. Jones will be able to do his usual work and then some thanks to the emergence of young WRs like Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs along rookies like Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks. I wish they took Jordan Addison or Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the draft, but they decided to spread the wealth by spending three later picks on pass-catchers, including TE Luke Musgrave out of Iowa, who could also prove to be a huge receiving threat. The Packers have finally invested in the WR group, and I think it’s going to pay dividends for them.

I still think this defense is great. I absolutely despise DC Joe Barry, but this unit had times last year where they reminded you what they’re capable of. There are simply playmakers all across the board from Kenny Clark to De’Vondre Campbell to Rashan Gary to Jaire Alexander. If the young guys like Devonte Wyatt and Quay Walker can splash, this can be one of the best front sevens in football. I do worry about the secondary outside of Alexander, but I feel good about every other area of this team.

With an easier schedule than last year and everything seemingly trending upwards, I think Love is going to prove himself in a huge way and lead the Packers back to the playoffs, where they can certainly do more damage.

2nd: Minnesota Vikings (9-8)

The 2023 Vikings can be summarized in four succinct words: regression to the mean.

In 2022, Minnesota went 11-0 in one-score games. That’s unheard of. They won every game decided by eight points or less while going 2-4 in games decided by more than eight points. The former is simply not sustainable. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime statistic. By subtracting less than half of those one-score wins, I arrived at this record. There’s a chance they’re even worse than this.

So why am I still picking them to finish second — above the fan-favorite Lions — and sneak into the playoffs? Well, I think they can win shootouts against almost any other team in the league. And they’ll probably be in a lot of shootouts, because their offense is fantastic whereas their defense is anything but. While the offense boasts the eternally-underrated Kirk Cousins, arguably the best WR in football in Justin Jefferson, a rookie bound to break out in Jordan Addison, and a new RB1 in Alexander Mattison, the defense isn’t much to look at. There are some solid players — Harrison Phillips, Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, Harrison Smith, and Byron Murphy to name a few. But those don’t exactly equate to an elite defense. Everyone is expecting this bottom-five defense from 2022 to be great all of a sudden because the Vikings hired Brian Flores as their DC. I’d be shocked if he can even turn them into a top-15 defense. That’s a tall task for anyone, even a supposed defensive genius like him.

Combine the defensive shortcomings with a first-place schedule — the sixth-hardest in the league by SOS — and the Vikings are simply a fringe wild card team. But they could just be straight up bad. They could be terrible.

3rd: Detroit Lions (7-10)

I’m not going to apologize for this. I’m not going to fall head-over-heels for this team that hasn’t accomplished anything yet. I understand this division isn’t the strongest on paper. I understand the Lions ended last season on a tear. I understand their culture is one of the best in the league. I genuinely hope the Lions have a great season — they deserve it more than any other team in football.

The one guarantee I have for this Detroit team is that their offense will continue to be prolific. D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams might be gone, but Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are very solid replacements. Gibbs could end up being the the next Alvin Kamara if he turns into the player the Lions had in mind when selecting him with the No. 12 pick. They seemingly have their T.J. Hockenson in Sam LaPorta who was selected in the second round out of Iowa — Hockenson’s alma mater. The offensive line is arguably the best in football. They have one of the best and most dependable receivers in the league in Amon-Ra St. Brown, who is only getting better with every passing season. And once speedster Jameson Williams returns from a gambling suspension, they figure to form one of the better duos in football. As long as QB Jared Goff doesn’t turn into a pumpkin — which I don’t think will happen, but he tends to do when the going gets tough or when he has to play outside — this will once again be one of the top offenses in football.

But this defense is still just one giant question mark. The front seven only really has Aidan Hutchinson, Charles Harris, and Alex Anzalone. Jack Campbell was a really weird selection in the first round when the secondary should’ve been addressed instead. Detroit did rework that area by adding Emmanuel Moseley, Cameron Sutton, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the fold and drafting Brian Branch in the second round, which I thought was a great pick. But it just feels like a weird amalgamation of pieces that are going to take too long to gel.

We could see a situation similar to 2022 where the Lions struggle for a bit — especially defensively — before turning it up down the stretch. To me, that’s not good enough to make the playoffs.

4th: Chicago Bears (6-11)

I think I’m being a bit generous to the Bears here. Six wins would be a huge accomplishment with a roster this terrible.

The biggest problem remains the offensive line, which was somewhat addressed through the draft where Chicago selected Darnell Wright in the first round to be their franchise right tackle. But that means Justin Fields’ blindside is still in a bad spot, as is the rest of the line. I love Justin and always have, but he’ll still be running for his life. That obviously isn’t always a bad thing, as he had one of the most prolific rushing seasons of all time last year. But it will hinder the passing game. The Bears did finally get him a proper WR1 by trading for D.J. Moore, who will definitely help elevate him as a passer. But the rest of the offense is just so… meh. I feel like Justin can only carry them for so long before the wheels fall off

The defense is also still terrible, but the Bears placed a heavy emphasis on it by selecting five defenders in the draft, including four to fill the box. They also beefed up at linebacker by signing T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds — necessary additions after trading away Roquan Smith. But the secondary still leaves a lot to be desired, even if the safety combination of Eddie Jackson and Jaquan Brisker is a good one.

This is still an ongoing rebuild, and I think this team is taking the right steps. But it’ll be a while longer until they get where they want to go. The important thing is continuing to develop Justin Fields and protect him by surrounding him with weapons and a competent offensive line. They still have some work to do there.

NFC South

1st: New Orleans Saints (9-8)

In a division full of mid, the Saints stand out as the best team. But this was not an easy choice by any means. They have given me plenty of reasons to believe they won’t even be good.

For starters, I still think their coaching staff is absolutely dreadful. Dennis Allen is simply not a real head coach in my eyes, and Pete Carmichael is one of the worst offensive coordinators in the league. It does help that the offense has the talent to be good. The addition of Derek Carr at QB is an interesting one given his recent declines, but perhaps he sees a mini-revival in the Big Easy. But Chris Olave has proven to be worth the trade-up, and the RB room should stay afloat while Alvin Kamara serves his suspension with the additions of Jamaal Williams in free agency and Kendre Miller in the draft. If — and this is the biggest if in the world at this point — Michael Thomas is healthy, they can be a great offense. But all signs point towards them being middle of the pack.

The good news for the Saints is that the defense should still be great. Jordan Cameron and Demario Davis are still kicking it up front, and I really like their secondary. I think in a division filled with very mediocre offenses, this defense can help separate them from the rest of the pack. That’ll be good enough to win this division, but almost certainly not good enough to do much else.

2nd: Atlanta Falcons (6-11)

The Falcons are the trendy pick to win this division, and that’s warranted. They are finally free from the shackles of Marcus Mariota, selected one of the most dynamic RB prospects in recent memory in Bijan Robinson with the No. 7 pick, and have all the pieces they need to see a breakout on both sides of the ball.

This was one of the top rushing offenses in the league last year — a natural result of running the ball more than any other team in football with one of the best offensive lines in the league — and now they boast a stacked running back room that is guaranteed to do a ton of damage. But I don’t buy into any passing attack in Atlanta. I don’t believe in Desmond Ridder at all, and even if he ends up being good, he’s only throwing to Drake London and Kyle Pitts. Seriously, name me who the WR2 is on this team. Mack Hollins? Khadarel Hodge? It doesn’t matter. This will be another run-heavy season for the Falcons, which took them nowhere last year. Even with someone as talented as Bijan Robinson, that figures to happen once again in 2023.

I will say I like what the Falcons are building on defense. I liked the acquisitions of Jeff Okudah and Jessie Bates to continue building a solid secondary around A.J. Terrell. And they’ve bolstered the defensive line with guys like Calais Campbell, David Onyemata, and Bud Dupree. But the linebacking core might be the worst in the league, and I have a feeling that this defense will get gashed up the middle.

Even though the Falcons have the easiest strength of schedule in the league, this team simply isn’t going to the playoffs, no matter how many narratives are pushed in the media.

3rd: Carolina Panthers (6-11)

The Panthers rebuild has gotten the biggest possible boost thanks to the team trading all the way up to the No. 1 pick in the draft and selecting Bryce Young to be their franchise QB.

I think they might have given up a bit too much considering they are rebuilding, but there’s no doubt that Young is a fantastic centerpiece for any franchise to have. He’s going to be a great player in this league for many years to come. Carolina has done a good job of surrounding their new franchise player with solid talent by adding Adam Thielen, DJ Chark, Hayden Hurst, and Miles Sanders in free agency while selecting Jonathan Mingo in the second round. The offensive line is still iffy, but there’s time for Ikem Ekwonu to develop into their rock at left tackle. With Frank Reich at the helm, I’m confident that this offense will be good, and could be great in a few years.

The Panthers also made some solid additions on defense by adding Justin Houston and Frankie Luvu at linebacker as well as Vonn Bell and Xavier Woods at safety. They have a bonafide CB1 in Jaycee Horn, star LB in Brian Burns, and very good DT in Derrick Brown. And Shaq Thompson is still doing his thing up there too. This defense was one of the worst in football last year. If their newcomers can splash, then I think they can turn it around.

So, with seemingly so much positivity, why the poor record? Well, it’s still early for all of these pieces to come together, and although Bryce Young is fantastic, he’s just a rookie. I think it’ll still be a year or two before this team contends for a division championship. But I see them as the new Jaguars of the last couple years. With a star top-overall selection at QB and a resurging culture, they’ll be just fine.

4th: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-12)

The Bucs are starting Baker Mayfield at quarterback, so this really doesn’t need much of an explanation. You’re not going anywhere if that guy is lining up under center. It’s that simple. 

But there’s plenty else to dislike with the Buccaneers. The wheels absolutely fell off down the stretch last year thanks to injuries, so maybe they return to being average across the board. But I just don’t buy into this team — and certainly not this coaching staff — with Tom Brady gone. The offensive line is dreadful even if Tristan Wirfs is one of the best tackles in the league. Mike Evans should still produce, but Chris Godwin can’t stay healthy, and their WR3 is… who exactly? And while I like Rachaad White, I’m not sure how much I like their run game. Even last year with Leonard Fournette, it was absolutely putrid — the worst in the league. This offense will likely be terrible. 

While the defense still boasts a ton of talent, it feels like their best days are behind them. The front seven has key guys like Vita Vea, Shaq Barrett, and Devin White, and I think Calijah Kancey and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka could develop into solid edge rushers. But the secondary still leaves a lot to be desired. When your CB1 is Jamel Dean, you’re probably not a good unit. Even if it’ll be hard to run on the Bucs, teams will definitely be able to throw all over them, and I think that’ll be their undoing in close games. 

Tampa is diving head-first into a rebuild and it shows. Their best bet is to just tank this season and pray you get a top QB in April’s draft. 

NFC West

1st: San Francisco 49ers (14-3)

It’s not a hot take to say that the 49ers are the best team in the NFC, nor is it to say they’re the best team in the league. This is the best roster in the NFL from top to bottom and it’s probably not close. Last season ended so unceremoniously that you’d have to imagine these guys come out with a vengeance and light up the regular season from start to finish.

I don’t really want to talk about Trey Lance — especially considering how things went the last time I did — so I’ll keep the QB situation brief. The Niners are trusting Brock Purdy to continue to be the guy despite only starting a few games last year and having his UCL obliterated in the NFC Championship Game. I think it’s fair considering he has never lost a game, but this better work. To give up what they did for Lance just to ship him away after four starts is just insane. Luckily for them, I think Purdy is more than capable of being a competent starter, which is all this team needs to go places. The rest of the offense is an embarrassment of riches that need no introduction. The best tackle in football (maybe ever?) in Trent Williams, the ultimate Swiss Army knives of Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel, a fantastic WR2 in Brandon Aiyuk, and one of the premier tight ends of the last several years in George Kittle pretty much ensure that this offense is going to thrive no matter who lines up under center. 

Then there’s the defense, which was the best in football last year and obviously will be once again. It helps when you have the best defensive player in the sport in Nick Bosa. Surely they figure out how to give him a blank check, right? They beefed up the interior by adding Javon Hargrave from Philly. They have the best LB in the league in Fred Warner and a very solid player in Dre Greenlaw beside him. I definitely have my concerns about the secondary outside of Talanoa Hufanga, who has blossomed into one of the league’s best safeties, and it doesn’t help that Demeco Ryans isn’t here anymore to make up for any shortcomings. But I loved the Steve Wilks hire, and I don’t think this defense will take a step back under him.

This is the best team in the NFL on paper and anything short of a Super Bowl berth should be considered a failure. If they can avoid the injury bug — especially at QB — they will be playing a football game in Las Vegas on February 11th, 2024.

2nd: Seattle Seahawks (10-7)

I never thought I’d say this, but I think I’m being a bit too mean to the Seahawks. This is one of my favorite teams in football this year. You have no idea how much it pains me to say that. 

After trading away Russell Wilson, Seattle’s front office proved that they pulled the ultimate fleece as Russ turned into a pumpkin and the Seahawks soared into the playoffs thanks to a resurgent Geno Smith — who won Comeback Player of the Year — and young playmakers all over the place on both sides of the ball. Now, those young guys have more experience, and Geno is back on a huge deal. The offense could be even better now that Jaxon Smith-Njigba — who I thought was the best non-QB in the draft — completes perhaps the best WR trio in football alongside DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Zach Charbonnet was selected with their second round pick to form a thumping one-two punch at RB alongside Kenneth Walker. 

On the other side of the ball, it’s clear what the Seahawks are doing: rebuilding the Legion of Boom. Riq Woolen (still getting used to that name change) and Coby Bryant were absolute studs as rookies — which anyone who saw them play in college saw from a mile away. Quandre Diggs continues to be the most underrated safety in the league. And who knows, maybe Jamal Adams remembers how to play football. On top of all this, they add the No. 5 overall pick Devon Witherspoon — who was selected with the pick so generously provided to them by the Broncos — to the mix, who is a freakish, long corner that complements Woolen perfectly. The front seven isn’t as good, but guys like Jordyn Brooks and Boye Mafe have come along brilliantly, and they added Dre’mont Jones for a pass rushing lift in free agency. I think this defense has a chance to not just be one of the best in the NFC, but the entire league. Of course, it’ll be hard to top their NFC West counterparts above them in this prediction, but they have all the potential in the world.

The combination of the youth movement with Geno Smith — who has truly overcome the odds and proven himself as a high-quality starting QB — and the incredible coaching of Pete Carroll has me very excited for what this Seahawks team can do. It’s a fairly easy schedule, and even though perhaps the best team in the league is in their division, this will be a playoff team. And no one will want to see them once they get there.

3rd: Arizona Cardinals (4-13)

This is where the NFC West goes from amazing to absolutely unwatchable garbage that I don’t want any part of. 

You might be shocked to see me put the Cardinals anywhere but last, but I have a good reason for it. Signs are pointing towards Kyler Murray returning for the end of the season, and with Jonathan Gannon trying to build a new culture in Arizona, this team is going to fight down the stretch to throw away a generational QB prospect just like the Jets did in 2021. I honestly think that’s a perfect comparison. They’ll suck for the entire season then go on a meaningless run at the death to watch Caleb Williams fall into another team’s hands (more on that later).

But that’s the whole story of this Cardinals team. We’re only watching to see how bad they can be. Will they have the first overall pick? The first two picks in the draft courtesy of the Houston Texans? Is this the end of Kyler Murray in a Cardinals uniform? These are all in the realm of possibility. But it’s too predictable. The team that finishes with the worst record in the league is hardly ever the one we think it’s going to be. Plus, I think the Cards have enough good players to not be the worst team in the league. They’ll be basement dwellers for sure, but they still have guys like James Conner, Hollywood Brown, and Zach Ertz. The offensive line is… kind of starting to come together with the addition of Paris Johnson Jr. No one has any idea what they’re going to do at QB until Kyler returns, but like I said, it won’t matter. Once he gets back, this team will play themselves squarely out of the opportunity to save their franchise with Caleb Williams. And honestly? It’ll be really funny.

4th: Los Angeles Rams (3-14)

Here it is. Perhaps my boldest take of the season. The Los Angeles Rams — who are one season removed from a Super Bowl victory and boast one of the best QBs of our generation, one of the best WRs in the league, and perhaps the best defensive player of all time — are going to finish with the worst record in the NFL. And none of those three players will be in Los Angeles this time next year.

Just hear me out. Last year, the Rams were dreadful for a plethora of reasons. The injury bug bit them all over as Matt Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and countless others went down due to injury. They had one of the worst offensive lines in the league, an anemic offense, and a defense severely lacking in anything other than playmaking ability from Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey. Here we are at the start of the 2023 season and Matt Stafford is still nagged by his elbow, Cooper Kupp has hamstring issues, the offensive line wasn’t addressed in any way other than taking a guard in the draft, Aaron Donald wants to stop playing the sport, and Jalen Ramsey is gone. On top of all this, the Rams didn’t improve in any areas — they made no splashes in free agency and their draft was really puzzling. Therefore, I’m going to assume that the exact issues that plagued them last year will rear their ugly heads again in 2023, but it’ll be so much worse. And that puts them squarely in the running for the No. 1 pick in the draft.

Sean McVay is a smart guy who needs a reason to keep coaching this team. He knows that if he gets Caleb Williams, it could be curtains for the league. And what’s a better story than the Heisman winner staying in Hollywood and bringing the Rams back to relevance? I think it makes too much sense, and I’m shocked more people aren’t thinking like me.

Then there’s the issue of those aforementioned three key players leaving. I think Matt Stafford is almost done in this league. I think the injuries are starting to catch up to him, and even if he can play, there’s no way he stays in LA in this scenario. He’s not going to be a backup. He’ll go somewhere to die like Matt Ryan in Indianapolis or Philip Rivers in Indianapolis… is Matt Stafford going to Indianapolis? Probably not. Cooper Kupp is undoubtedly a commodity at WR and one of the game’s best playmakers, but if the Rams want to acquire the draft capital necessary to get this rebuild going, they’re going to deal him. They can get a very good return for him, even with the injury problems. And with Aaron Donald, I simply don’t see a world where he ends this season on the Rams. He’ll either be traded or retire. Take it to the bank.

All of this culminates in the Rams going from the absolute pinnacle of the sport to its dumpster. But luckily for them, Caleb Williams will drag them out with swiftness. Could you imagine winning the Super Bowl and landing that caliber of a QB in a two-year span? I’m jealous.

Playoff Picture

1 – San Francisco 49ers (14-3)

2 – Philadelphia Eagles (13-4)

3 – Green Bay Packers (12-5)

4 – New Orleans Saints (9-8)

5 – Dallas Cowboys (11-6)

6 – Seattle Seahawks (10-7)

7 – Minnesota Vikings (9-8)

Wild Card Weekend

Eagles over Vikings: As I said above, the Vikings are going to sneak into the playoffs by the skin of their teeth and get immediately blasted. This trip to Philly in January could end in a very, very embarrassing loss for them as they likely move on from Kirk Cousins and try to move into a new era that, hopefully for them, is more fruitful than this one was.

Seahawks over Packers: This is really hard for me. I really love what both of these teams are doing. I think the Packers have a very bright future with Jordan Love, but this might be too tall of a task in his first playoff game, even at home. Lambeau has ironically been Green Bay’s house of horrors in the playoffs lately. I think the Seahawks win a thriller to move on.

Cowboys over Saints: Yeah, this one won’t be close. Next!

Divisional Round

49ers over Seahawks: This would truly be a hell of a game. I think the Seahawks can match up with their division rivals, and we’ve seen time and time again how the three-match in the playoffs can be so close. But we saw this matchup in the Wild Card last year, and San Francisco dominated. With the Niners coming off a bye here, it’s just impossible to pick against them, no matter how much I like the Seahawks.

Eagles over Cowboys: I really do think this is a tossup. Last year showed that the Cowboys match up so well with the Eagles, and I think Dallas had a better offseason. It’s just too difficult for me to place my faith in them in the playoffs, especially considering how the last two have gone for them. It would admittedly be very funny if Mike McCarthy shenanigans get them eliminated for the third straight year.

NFC Championship Game

49ers over Eagles: Revenge. It’s that simple. The 49ers are going to be out for blood in 2023 after how their season ended in Philadelphia in January, and there’s nobody who they want to beat more than the Eagles themselves. Despite the fact that the Birds can go toe-to-toe with the Niners, I think winning this game in the Bay just isn’t happening for them. The 49ers have been waiting for so long to finally win another Super Bowl, and I get the feeling that this team has the best chance of any in the last several years. They get their revenge against the Eagles and get to Las Vegas, where a certain unstoppable force will await them on the biggest stage yet again. But I’ll get into that tomorrow.

All stats taken from ESPN.

Ranking All 32 Uniform Sets in the NFL

In light of all the new uniforms we’ll see around the NFL this season, I decided to rank every single wardrobe in the league while picking out each team’s best uniform ahead of the 2023 season.

Cover photo taken from Sports Illustrated.

This might have been the most eventful offseason for uniforms in NFL history. Nearly half the league unveiled new throwbacks, alternates, and helmets, including one complete wardrobe overhaul. As someone who cares about uniforms way too much, I thought it would be fun to give my input on which NFL teams are the best dressed from top to bottom, while also shouting out the best set in the collection. The only real criteria I use is how much I like the unis from an aesthetic standpoint, so feel free to yell at me if you disagree on a more technical level.

1 – Chargers

Best Uniform: Blue on Gold

h/t Sports Injury Central

Before the Chargers even took the field in their new uniforms in 2020, they snatched the crown for having the league’s best unis. The new sets looked absolutely incredible when they were unveiled, and in the three seasons since, they only look better and better. Every set is absolutely gorgeous with colors that pop on the field and that modern but exciting numbering. I’ve heard some pushback on having the numbers on the helmets, but I’ve always loved that on any uniform. I’m extremely fond of every single combo the Chargers have brought out since 2020, but the blue/gold home set is by far my favorite. I’m a huge fan of the gold pants, and combining them with the powder blue makes for the most beautiful uniform in all of football.

2 – 49ers

Best Uniform: Red on Gold

h/t Draft Kings

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. These Niners digs have never looked like anything but the cleanest, most classic uniforms in the league. The same can be argued for the team I put right below them, but I’m much more fond of San Francisco’s throwbacks, which were definitely considered for the nod of the team’s best unis. I adore both the home and road throwbacks for how simple and clean. they are while remaining faithful to the originals. No matter which set the Niners roll out in, they are almost guaranteed to be the best-looking team on the field.

3 – Raiders

Best Uniform: Black on Silver

h/t NFL Spin Zone

Apropos of what I said about the 49ers. The Raiders have boasted what might be the league’s most classic and clean uniforms for decades now, and they should never change them. They’re as gorgeous as they are unique. Even their color rush/alternate is pretty great, although I definitely prefer their primary sets. I’ve always wondered what an all-black Raiders alternate would look like, especially in the old Black Hole in Oakland, but I don’t think that would serve a purpose in Vegas.

4 – Bears

Best Uniform: White on Navy

h/t The Athletic

The Bears are one of the only teams in the NFL with better road uniforms than home ones, although I think it’s close. I’ve just always loved how clean the white tops are with the orange trim on the numbers and the shoulder stripes. I think they’re simply nicer to look at than the navy tops that they wear at home. Regardless, both uniform sets are some of the best in the league, and like so many other franchises which stay true to their roots, the Bears should never deviate from this classic look.

5 – Packers

Best Uniform: Green on Yellow

h/t Cheesehead TV

There’s not much that I can say about the Packers uniforms that haven’t been said a million times over. It’s the definition of classic and iconic and one of the most unique looks in sports. I have always loved the green and yellow color scheme, although the white/yellow road sets aren’t exactly the prettiest unis. in the league. Regardless, it’s a timeless look that is synonymous with NFL heritage.

6 – Browns

Best Uniform: Brown on White

h/t Cleveland.com

The Browns returning to their classic look with a modern flair was one of the best uniform decisions that any NFL team has made in recent years. It’s like a better version of what the Buccaneers have done. These are simply gorgeous uniforms that are faithful to the Browns’ history and I will always love them. It’s not easy to make brown and orange look good, but Cleveland has managed to do it. Turns out all it takes is not making horrendous unis like the ones they wore for the back half of the 2010s.

7 – Vikings

Best Uniform: Purple on White

h/t Daily Norseman

The Vikings and the Chargers are the gold standard of modern uniform tweaks. Minnesota was able to take an already classic uniform and change it ever so slightly to usher in a new era while remaining true to the franchise’s roots. I’ve preferred these unis over the old ones ever since they were unveiled ten years ago, and I hope they stay for a while. I love the throwbacks that the Vikings will debut in Week 1, but for its unique and clean style, the base home set still reigns supreme for me.

8 – Chiefs

Best Uniform: Red on White

h/t Pro Football Network

Like many teams above them on this list, the Chiefs boast some of the most classic unis in football. They have looked fantastic forever and are now essentially synonymous with success and championships. The only reason they’re lower than some other teams is because I feel like these uniforms are a little more basic. Red and white might be the most common colors in all of sports, and while the yellow helps the unis pop a bit, it’s not enough to lift the wardrobe as a whole.

9 – Bengals

Best Uniform: All White (NOT the alternates)

h/t OutKick

It definitely took me a minute, but I have fully come around on the new Bengals uniforms. I wasn’t really sure what to make of them when they were released in 2021, but seeing them in games that season made me realize how awesome they are. Some sets are much better than others, but as a whole, it’s a very good collection. I wish they’d wear the all-black set more, but regardless, the all-whites are by far my favorite. I even prefer it over the “White Bengal” look, mostly because the numbers are much cooler. In my opinion, if the Bengals opted to wear their white helmets with this uniform set, it might be the best uniform in the league.

10 – Bills

Best Uniform: Blue on White

h/t Bleacher Report

The Bills are essentially the same as the Chiefs in my mind when it comes to uniforms. I actually think their home unis are better than Kansas City’s. But I’m not as fond as the rest of the wardrobe. I’m not a fan of the all-blue that the Bills insist on wearing all the damn time instead of the much better blue/white set, and I don’t care for the all-red alternates either. If the Bills really want to impress me, they should bust out the red throwback helmets. Those would look gorgeous.

11 – Colts

Best Uniform: Blue on White

h/t Blue Stampede

See: Minnesota. The only difference here is that the Colts dropped one of the most puzzling alternates this summer that is both horrendous and meaningless. I hate pretty much everything about that set, which is a shame because Indy’s regular home and away sets are almost perfect.

12 – Buccaneers

Best Uniform: White on Pewter

h/t BroBible

See: Cleveland. I debated putting the Buccaneers higher on this list considering how much I love how clean and unique almost all of their sets are. It also helps that they’re bringing back the Creamsicles this year. I’m just ever so slightly more partial to some of the teams directly above them.

13 – Cowboys

Best Uniform: Navy on White

h/t Cooper Neill/Getty Images

The Cowboys are puzzling. They seemingly have perhaps the most iconic uniforms in the league with their white on blue sets, but those same uniforms might be the worst in their entire wardrobe. Both their home and away throwbacks are nicer, but the seldom-worn navy tops are by far my favorites. Whether they’re paired with the white or silver pants, these unis look fantastic and have a lot more personality than the boring “classic” uniform. I wish they brought these out much more often.

14 – Steelers

Best Uniform: ’70s throwbacks with WHITE numbers

h/t VSiN

The Steelers could skyrocket to the top of this list if they made an extremely easy change: add those block numbers to the primary uniforms, reverting to their old, classic look. We got a taste of how great it looks when they brought out the throwbacks late last year. If they wore them full-time, it would be perfection. It’s that simple.

15 – Broncos

Best Uniform: Navy on White

h/t Keeping It Heel

I’m convinced that I like the Broncos uniforms way more than most people do. I recognize that they’re a bit outdated, but I’ve always been fond of all their looks. In fact, I miss the pre-Nike says when the navy was their primary home jersey rather than the orange. I just think it’s a gorgeous combination of two colors that I personally love. But the Broncos could use a modern overhaul a la Minnesota and Indianapolis. I would love to see these iconic colors and logos with a new, modern flair.

16 – Eagles

Best Uniform: Kelly Green throwbacks

h/t Eagles/X

Until recently, the Eagles were the epitome of mid when it came to uniforms. I like the midnight green, I like the unique numbering and lettering, and the all-black alternate is obviously iconic. But it wasn’t until last week’s highly-anticipated reveal of the Kelly Green throwbacks that the Eagles catapulted to the top half of this list. Fans have waited for these for over a decade, and it was worth the wait. These might just be the best throwbacks in the league with how clean and perfect they look. I cannot wait to see them on the field again.

17 – Dolphins

Best Uniform: Throwbacks

h/t Miami Herald

The Dolphins are like the Steelers in the sense that they could boast the NFL’s best wardrobe if they wore their throwbacks full-time. Both the home and road ones are drop dead gorgeous from top to bottom. Miami has some solid primary unis too, especially since they slightly changed the coloring a few years ago. But you can’t top a look as incredible as those throwbacks are.

18 – Lions

Best Uniform: Blue on Silver

h/t Detroit Jock City

The Lions’ modern uniform overhaul is pretty solid, but I just find their sets to be so boring. None of them do anything for me. I think it would help if they tried out having white numbers on the home unis. They’d be a bit higher on this list if they didn’t unveil the very strange blue alternate helmets that they’re wearing for a select couple of games this season. They definitely could have made better use of the alternate helmet rule.

19 – Panthers

Best Uniform: All Black w/ black helmet

h/t WSOC TV

Despite their semi-low placement on this list, I really like Carolina’s uniforms. They’re pretty clean, and the alternate black helmets are fantastic. I just have a couple of gripes with these sets. For starters, I truly despise how uncomfortably small the numbers on the shoulders are. At this point, they could just be removed altogether. I also feel like they could move away from all the gray in the color scheme and move towards a modern, primarily black and blue look. I think it’d be clean and fitting.

20 – Saints

Best Uniform: Color Rush w/ base helmet

h/t Yahoo! Sports

For what it’s worth, the Saints are towards the top of the league in two categories: helmets and alternate uniforms. The fleur de lis is iconic, and the white and gold color rush unis have been beloved by fans for years. Unfortunately, I’m not very fond of everything else with the Saints. I just can’t find myself gravitating towards any of their looks. I don’t like the black pants, but I also don’t like the gold ones, and I certainly don’t like the white ones with the black tops. The all-white look is clean, but I simply prefer the color rush. The throwbacks are great, but the shade of gold on the numbers and pants clashes with that of the helmet. Worst of all is the simply dumb black alternate helmet that they sullied the color rush uniforms with last year in London. A couple of tweaks could bump the Saints up a bit, but I don’t think I’ll ever like their entire wardrobe.

21 – Rams

Best Uniform: White on Gold

h/t Bleacher Report

I definitely feel like I’m underrating the Rams uniforms, but something about them always throws me off. For starters, they’ve shown off some truly puzzling looks like bone on gold/blue or blue on bone. The strangest thing about that is how they didn’t even wear the all-bone look — which was their primary road uniform for several years — in 2022. At least the other sets look pretty good. I love the all blues as well as the blue on gold, but nothing tops when they wear the white jerseys. They look great with the blue pants and best with the gold ones. I’m forever thankful that they wore those in the Super Bowl two seasons ago.

22 – Ravens

Best Uniform: Purple on White

h/t Pro Football Network

The Ravens fit into the same category as the Broncos for me, but I prefer everything about Denver’s uniforms. Baltimore could definitely use some new digs, or at least stick to what works. In recent years, they’ve insisted on wearing strange looks like all-purple or black on purple which just look strange. The purple on black works for me considering how much of it I saw while growing up, and the all-black is one of the best in the league. I’ll always be partial to the cleanliness of the basic purple on white look, but the truth is that I’ve been over these unis for a while now. I don’t see the Ravens switching things up any time soon, but I would like to see it.

23 – Texans

Best Uniform: Navy on White

h/t Chron

Apropos of the Ravens. The Texans have had the same uniforms for their entire existence. They’re nice, but I think it’s time for a change.

24 – Giants

Best Uniform: ’80s throwbacks

h/t Sportsnaut

The nicest thing I can say about the Giants uniforms is that they’re classic. Despite that, they’re extremely boring. The Giants are very much like the Dolphins in the sense that their home and away throwbacks look infinitely better than their primary sets, and a return to these looks could catapult them to the top 10 of this list. Make it happen.

25 – Seahawks

Best Uniform: Throwbacks

h/t KOMO News

See: Philadelphia. The difference between these bird teams is that I have never liked the Seahawks unis that Nike broke out when they took over NFL uniforms in 2012. They’re weird and ugly and jarring and I just can’t get behind them. These throwbacks, however, are perfect in every sense of the word, and I can’t wait to see them in action this season.

26 – Jaguars

Best Uniform: All Black

h/t NJ.com

The Jaguars confused cleanliness and minimalism with being extremely boring. These unis are certainly modern and “clean” while featuring some gorgeous colors. They’re infinitely better than the previous Jags sets, but that bar is extremely low. These are just very dull uniforms that could use some more flair. I think a blend of these uniforms with the old ones with the Jaguar on the shoulders could make Jacksonville one of the best-dressed teams in football. I liked the Jags’ decision to make teal their primary home uni, but I still think the all-black is their best look. It just feels very “Jaguars” to me.

27 – Cardinals

Best Uniform: All White

h/t AZCentral

It’s hard to judge these new Cardinals uniforms without seeing them in-game, but at this point, they’re the same as the Jaguars to me. Yes they are modern, yes they are clean, but above all else, they are boring as hell. I feel like there was a lot more potential with this uniform overhaul. I’m very disappointed, but maybe my opinion will change once I see what these look like on the field.

28 – Patriots

Best Uniform: Navy on Silver

h/t BVM Sports

The Patriots did a very rare thing by having a uniform overhaul be a complete downgrade when they unveiled these new sets in 2020. I think the weirdest part of this is how everyone was upset that they ditched the silver pants, then they brought them back for a single game — instantly making it their best look — only to never wear them again. Just make these the primary home pants! It’s not that difficult!

29 – Titans

Best Uniform: Oilers Throwbacks

h/t NFL.com

The Titans uniforms in the last several years have felt like one giant swing and miss. I’ve always thought they were fine, but in recent seasons, I can’t stand the sight of them. I give them credit for being unique, but I would not mind seeing another change. Thankfully, the Titans are finally bringing back the beloved Oilers throwbacks (which is weird considering the history, but that’s a different story), which are already some of the best in football along with the Eagles and Seahawks. I think a return to this color scheme and style would do wonders for the Titans. I’m ready to move away from the bland navy looks.

30 – Commanders

Best Uniform: Burgundy on White

h/t Washington Times

I have talked about our uniforms ad nauseam over the last 18 months or so, so I’ll keep this brief and simply repeat my sentiments about them. They are fine, but infinitely worse than the old, classic look of the Redskins/WFT. A return to those uniforms would make everyone happy. Until then, these uniforms will remain weird and tacky and I don’t think anyone will ever come around on them. At this rate, considering all of the changes and sentiments around the franchise, a change wouldn’t shock me at all.

31 – Falcons

Best Uniform: Throwbacks

h/t Atlanta Falcons

See: New England. The difference with the Falcons is that their new uniforms are really, really bad. I hate the numbering, I hate the style, I hate the dumb “ATL” across the chest. Just wear the throwbacks full-time and call it a day.

32 – Jets

Best Uniform: N/A

Ever since their uniform change several years ago, I have held the belief that the Jets have the absolute worst unis in football. I feel like I hate them now more than I did then. I truly believe that every single uniform is a disaster. I don’t even like the new throwbacks. If I had to choose a best set, that would be it, but I’m not giving the Jets the satisfaction. If they want me to respect them, they need to return to their roots and make me forget that this era of uniforms ever happened a la Cleveland. The sooner, the better.

Ranking All 32 Starting Quarterbacks in the NFL

Inspired by Netflix’s new series ‘Quarterback’, I decided to rank every starting QB in the NFL and divide them into tiers based on what I think of them heading into the upcoming 2023 season.

Cover photo taken from Sharp Football.

This week, Netflix released their highly-anticipated series Quarterback: an eight-part look into the lives and seasons of Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, Minnesota’s Kirk Cousins, and Atlanta’s Marcus Mariota during the 2022 season. I have been watching the show and thoroughly enjoying it, and it got me thinking about quarterbacks as a whole. More specifically, how would I rank every QB in the league right now? So that’s what I’ve done here: all 32 starting signal callers ranked in order and divided into specific tiers that accurately reflect what I think about them and their peers as we inch closer towards the 2023 season.

Tier 1: The Best Ever

1 – Patrick Mahomes

2022 stats: 5,250 yards, 41 TD, 12 INT, 358 yards rushing, 4 rushing TD (won MVP and Super Bowl MVP)

I have been singing Patrick Mahomes’ praises since his final year at Texas Tech. While I thought he would be the best QB in the 2017 draft class, I never could have envisioned him becoming what he is today: the best quarterback to ever play this game. Now, there’s a difference between being the best ever and the greatest ever. Mahomes has a long way to go in terms of accolades and accomplishments before he can dethrone Tom Brady as the GOAT. But his talent speaks for itself, and it’s plain to see that his skillset and unique abilities on the field make him the best ever. Even if you disagree with that sentiment, you can’t disagree that he’s currently the best quarterback in football. Last year’s MVP campaign and subsequent title run put any doubt about that swiftly to bed. Even without the most explosive player in football in Tyreek Hill, Mahomes was surgical all season long and put the team on his back in the playoffs to secure his second MVP, Super Bowl and Super Bowl MVP. He continues to redefine the game on a weekly basis, and we should all be so lucky to see it happening in real time.

Tier 2: The Best of the Rest

2 – Joe Burrow

2022 stats: 4,475 yards, 35 TD, 12 INT, 257 rushing yards, 5 rushing TD

I have held the belief that Joe Burrow is second to only Patrick Mahomes since the 2021 AFC Championship Game. I feel like most people would put Josh Allen in this spot, but I refuse to do that. I think Burrow is much more careful with the ball and has already had infinitely more playoff success, including a dominant win over Allen and the Bills in January. If a few more things went Cincinnati’s way, he might have wound up as a two-time Super Bowl champion. Regardless, Burrow has been mightily impressive since tearing his ACL in his rookie season three years ago, continuing to put up amazing numbers and wowing us with his playmaking ability. His blend of talent, determination, leadership, and swagger make it clear that he is destined for long-term success in this league.

3 – Josh Allen

2022 stats: 4,283 yards, 35 TD, 14 INT, 762 rushing yards, 7 rushing TD

Josh Allen is one of the most unique QB talents I have ever seen, which speaks for itself on a weekly basis. He has incredible athleticism and strength for his giant 6-foot-5 frame. Whether he’s launching the ball 60 yards through the air or hurdling defenders like a running back, he truly is must-see TV. I would definitely like to see him be a lot more careful with the ball, as he has been one of the most turnover-prone QBs in football in his career due to his style of play. I think an increased emphasis on his ball safety could have be very fruitful long-term for the Bills.

4 – Justin Herbert

2022 stats: 4,739 yards, 25 TD, 10 INT

The eighth wonder of the world is why Justin Herbert gets so much hate. I’ll never understand it. All he has done since entering the league in 2020 is ball out. He is off to the most prolific start to a career in NFL history in terms of his passing stats while playing for the league’s equivalent of a traveling circus. Everyone loves to blame him for the Chargers’ implosion in January’s Wild Card game where they blew a 27-0 lead to the Jaguars, but that’s hardly fair. I might be crazy, but I don’t think a defense allowing 31 points in just over a half of football is the quarterback’s fault. Regardless of whether you love or hate him, Herbert’s arm talent cannot be denied. He makes ridiculous throws every game with perhaps the best deep ball in the league. I can’t say I’m confident in how successful he can be while he plays for such a snake-bitten franchise, but Herbert will certainly be getting his game off as one of the league’s best QBs for years to come.

5 – Trevor Lawrence

2022 stats: 4,113 yards, 25 TD, 8 INT, 291 rushing yards, 5 rushing TD

A lot of people might think I’m nuts for putting Lawrence this high, but I’m fully sold on him. I have been for a very long time. I wasn’t going to let a bizarro rookie season littered with off-the-field drama change my mind. In his first real season, Lawrence was absolutely outstanding en route to a division title and a playoff win. He was finally able to showcase his arm talent with a proper skill group around him, and it was very impressive. Things are only going to get better next year as Calvin Ridley enters the fold. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for the former #1 pick.

6 – Lamar Jackson

2022 stats: 2,242 yards, 17 TD, 7 INT, 764 rushing yards, 3 rushing TD (missed five games due to injury)

I hope that a couple of injury-riddled seasons haven’t made you forget about how good Lamar Jackson is. He was on a tear to start the 2022 season before a nagging leg problem derailed him and the Ravens. When he’s fully healthy, Lamar is one of the most dynamic players in the sport with his lightning-quick abilities as a ball carrier and incredible arm talent (yes, he is a great passer, don’t kid yourselves). I don’t think anyone doubts that he has what it takes to return to his unanimous MVP form from 2019. With a revamped offense and a new, improved scheme, this is the year to do it.

7 – Jalen Hurts

2022 stats: 3,701 yards, 22 TD, 6 INT, 760 rushing yards, 13 rushing TD (missed two games due to injury)

Jalen Hurts was 2022’s breakout star with his jaw-dropping play and video game numbers, leading the Eagles to the Super Bowl and being a few plays away from winning it. He was a sprinkle of Patrick Mahomes greatness away from being an MVP and a Super Bowl MVP. Alas, he’s still a consensus top QB in the NFL and got a very, very large bag from the Birds, and for good reason. Hurts is like a less explosive but more refined and stronger version of Lamar Jackson. He has the arm to make any throw, the speed to burn any defense, the strength to run over defenders, the IQ to outsmart any defense, and the determination and leadership ability to win rings. For all of those reasons, he is one of my favorite players in the league, and despite the fact that he plays for the Eagles, I’m always going to root for him to succeed. He has everything it takes to be one of the most successful QBs of this generation.

Tier 3: Show Me Again

8 – Aaron Rodgers

2022 stats: 3,695 yards, 26 TD, 12 INT

2022 was a massive step backwards for Aaron Rodgers. After winning back-to-back MVPs, he had the worst passer rating of his career (!!!) while throwing for the fewest yards since 2015 and second most interceptions in his career. Oh, and the Packers finished below .500 and missed the playoffs thanks to losing the season finale. Now, he gets a fresh start with the Jets and their fantastic young core. I think we’ll see Aaron return to form this year, but I have serious doubts about whether or not he can fully look like the Aaron of 2019, 2020, and 2021. It’s a serious problem when your off-the-field antics get more attention than your on-the-field performance.

9 – Matthew Stafford

2022 stats: 2,087 yards, 10 TD, 8 INT (missed eight games due to injury)

I’m giving Matt Stafford the benefit of the doubt here. He’s coming off a potentially career-derailing injury after playing half a season of garbage football. 2021 showed us how great he can be, but 2022 might have been the straw that broke the camel’s back. I don’t know what to expect from Stafford this year on an anemic offense with only one real playmaker, but I have a feeling I won’t see anything special. He has been one of the most fun, talented QBs to watch over the last decade or so, but I think we’re seeing the last of Matt Stafford in the NFL.

10 – Deshaun Watson

2022 stats: 1,102 yards, 7 TD, 5 INT (missed 11 games due to suspension)

I am also giving the benefit of the doubt to Deshaun Watson, who I don’t even feel like talking about. After serving a suspension that was far too short, he didn’t look anything like the star QB we saw in Houston. But perhaps that’s the result of entering a new system in November after months of not practicing with a new team. I’m expecting a much better season from Watson in 2023, but I’m not sure if we’ll ever see the Texans version of him again.

11 – Kyler Murray

2022 stats: 2,368 yards, 14 TD, 7 INT, 418 rushing yards, 3 rushing TD (missed six games due to injury)

Kyler is likely to miss most, if not all of the 2023 season after suffering a torn ACL last November. For a QB with his play style, you’ve got to wonder how that is going to affect him when he returns. But we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. The Kyler Murray we know is a lightning-quick runner with a hell of an arm who just hasn’t been able to fully live up to his potential. His talent is undeniable, but his play on the field just hasn’t been what it can be, and his off-the-field antics aren’t great either. Despite all his talent, the Cardinals might have dug themselves a $250 million hole.

Tier 4: “Would You Rather Be Underpaid or Overrated?” – Jay-Z

12 – Jared Goff

2022 stats: 4,438 yards, 29 TD, 7 INT

Jared Goff is starting to be so underrated that he might be overrated at this point. I don’t think that’s true, and I have always liked Goff, but I think social media can chill with flaunting his stats and calling him “underrated”. Guys like Kirk Cousins and Dak Prescott also have great stats and tend to shrink in big moments just like Goff does, but they don’t play for lovable teams like the Lions, so instead social media hates them. It’s no secret that Goff essentially had a career-reviving season in Detroit last year, which is more proof that he can be a truly great QB when surrounded by good talent in a good scheme. I expect to see similar numbers out of Goff this year, and hopefully the Lions see the success that has eluded them for the last… checks watch… well, forever.

13 – Geno Smith

2022 stats: 4,282 yards, 30 TD, 11 INT (won Comeback Player of the Year)

The 2022 Comeback Player of the Year was one of the best stories in football last season. After waiting years to get another shot as a starting QB, Geno Smith shocked the world en route to being one of the most prolific passers of the year and leading the Seahawks to the playoffs in their first year of a supposed rebuild. He flashed amazing arm talent and pinpoint accuracy all season long and was rewarded with a massive, well-deserved contract extension. With the offense getting a huge boost this offseason through free agency and the draft, I expect Geno to continue putting up big numbers. I think he’ll be in people’s top 10 lists by January.

14 – Kirk Cousins

2022 stats: 4,547 yards, 29 TD, 14 INT

The narratives surrounding Kirk Cousins have been beaten into the ground at this point, so I’ll keep this brief. Kirk is a much better QB than most people realize. I know a lot of his stats are empty. I know he sucks after the sun goes down (most of the time). I know he has limited playoff success. But he’s as good as you can ask for in this league. I have defended him for years and years, and I hope the Quarterback series gave people the appreciation for him that I have. I’d welcome him back to DC in a heartbeat.

15 – Tua Tagovailoa

2022 stats: 3,548 yards, 25 TD, 8 INT (missed four games due to injury)

Last season was the first time we saw what Tua was capable of when he’s surrounded by the talent and scheme that lets him cook. He might have gotten a lot of help via YAC from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but he led the league in TD% and passer rating (105.5) all while being one of the most accurate QBs in football. The concussion problems are a very scary concern, but if Tua stays upright with the talent he has around him, he’ll be perfectly fine to put up big numbers. I just question whether or not he has what it takes to take the Dolphins to where they want to be.

16 – Dak Prescott

2022 stats: 2,860 yards, 23 TD, 15 INT (missed five games due to injury)

Dak has been perfectly average, if not above average for his entire career. But last season was not a good look for him. He led the league in interceptions while having the second worst passer rating of his career. He had a fantastic 2021, so perhaps we can place some blame on his injury last year, but I need to see it to believe it this season with Dak. It feels like the window is closing rapidly in Dallas, and it’ll close even quicker if he doesn’t return to form.

Tier 5: Make or Break Year

17 – Russell Wilson

2022 stats: 3,524 yards, 16 TD, 11 INT, 277 rushing yards, 3 rushing TD (missed two games due to injury)

Last year was the worst season of Russell Wilson’s career by any and every metric. It was an unmitigated disaster from start to finish that was widely publicized and criticized. But I think a lot of that has to do with how generally awful the Broncos were on offense under Nathaniel Hackett. Russ has a real chance to get back on track under Sean Payton. I don’t know how much he has left in the tank, but I know for a fact that his 2023 can’t go any worse than 2022 can.

18 – Derek Carr

2022 stats: 3,522 yards, 24 TD, 14 INT (missed two games due to being shut down by LVR)

It’s hard to make heads or tails of Derek Carr these days. Yes, he puts up good numbers, but it hasn’t translated to wins much lately. Yes, he can make any throw in the world, but he forgets how to do so inside the 10-yard line. Yes, he gets a fresh start in New Orleans, but it’s under an abysmal coaching staff. I know he still has plenty of talent left in the tank, but I believe things can get ugly for Derek Carr very soon.

Tier 6: So Much Potential

19 – Justin Fields

2022 stats: 2,242 yards, 17 TD, 11 INT, 1,143 rushing yards, 8 rushing TD (missed two games due to injury)

Justin Fields is perhaps the most polarizing QB in football right now. Everyone either thinks he’s the next Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts or thinks he’s the worst QB in the league. There’s no in between. My love for Justin obviously goes back to his college days, so it’s clear where I stand. It took everything I had to not place him higher on this list. But he clearly needs to show more development as a passer. I do think a lot of his faults in that regard lie with the scheme and complete lack of talent around him. Both of those will improve this year, so hopefully he makes a huge leap with his arm. His rushing talents need no explanation, as he led all QBs in rushing yards and finished seventh in the league among all rushers, becoming just the third QB to ever rush for 1,000 yards in a season. He might just be the fastest player in football with extremely underrated strength. If he can get his act together as a passer, Justin will take the league by storm. I’m hoping and praying that it happens.

20 – Brock Purdy

2022 stats: 1,374 yards, 13 TD, 4 INT (five games as starter)

I wasn’t really sure who to put as the 49ers QB in this list, but I assume that the QB1 job currently belongs to Brock Purdy after his efforts last season. He might not start in Week 1, and I personally feel like Trey Lance is the better option, but he gets my nod here. Purdy was one of the best stories in football last year, going from being Mr. Irrelevant to leading the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game before an unfortunate elbow injury ended his season. Regardless of whether or not he’ll be ready to play or start for the Niners in September, he deserves our respect. He was a perfect fit in their offense with fantastic accuracy and playmaking ability, all while keeping the ball safe. If he does end up being the QB of the future in San Francisco, I think he has what it takes to lead them to greatness.

21 – Daniel Jones

2022 stats: 3,205 yards, 15 TD, 5 INT, 708 rushing yards, 7 rushing TD (missed one game due to rest)

I think I’m putting Danny Dimes a tad low on this list considering the great year he had in 2022. But I’m just not as moved as everyone else is. I think he will be a solid starting QB for the Giants for the next few years. But there isn’t a lot about 15 passing touchdowns in 16 games that makes me fawn. He’s a solid passer with a decent arm and fantastic athletic ability that honestly almost makes up for his shortcomings as a passer. The potential is there, but he’ll never be anything special in my eyes.

Tier 7: Panera Bread

22 – Jimmy Garoppolo

2022 stats: 2,437 yards, 16 TD, 4 INT (missed six games due to injury/being backup)

I’ve been a supporter of Jimmy G for a very long time. I think he’s a perfectly fine QB that will always produce and be successful when put in the right spot. San Francisco was that right spot for a while. I don’t know if Las Vegas will be. But he has everything he needs to be successful, including one of the best WRs and RBs in football and his old buddy as his head coach. He still won’t blow anyone away, but all the ingredients are there. We’ll see what this new era of Jimmy looks like.

23 – Ryan Tannehill

2022 stats: 2,536 yards, 13 TD, 6 INT (missed five games due to injury)

For what it’s worth, Ryan Tannehill was having a decent year in 2022 for about 10 weeks before the wheels completely fell off. Now, he’s a 35-year old coming off a tough injury on a team with not a lot of offensive talent. With the Titans spending a second round pick on a QB in Will Levis, it’s easy to see that Tannehill is nearing the end of the road.

24 – Mac Jones

2022 stats: 2,997 yards, 14 TD, 11 INT (missed three games due to injury)

This is a huge year for Macaroni. The Patriots are more than ready to move on from him if he doesn’t produce. Last season was a bit of a disaster that included a nagging ankle problem and a benching in favor of Bailey Zappe, who New England fans often chanted for when Jones struggled. While I had high hopes for Macaroni when he entered the league, it’s clear that he’s not exactly being put in a position to succeed. He hasn’t shown many flashes of talent either. If it doesn’t happen this season, we won’t be hearing his name much anymore.

25 – Baker Mayfield

2022 stats: 2,163 yards, 10 TD, 8 INT (12 games as starter for CAR/LAR)

I wanted to put Baker much, much lower on this list. It’s a real possibility that he is the worst starting QB in football. It just didn’t feel right putting him below guys who are either very inexperienced or have never played a snap in the NFL. Still, my opinions on Mayfield have been clear for years now. I don’t like him as a person, I don’t like him as a player, and I think his time in the NFL is running out. I would not be remotely shocked if he loses the starting job before Thanksgiving.

Tier 8: New Kids on the Block

26 – Kenny Pickett

2022 stats: 2,404 yards, 7 TD, 9 INT, 237 rushing yards, 3 rushing TD (13 games as starter)

Look, I like Kenneth Pickett. I think he’s a great story and I find it very easy to root for him. But I just don’t know if he can be a franchise guy. It doesn’t help that the Steelers offense isn’t exactly budding with talent, but they are improving. I think Pickett can make a leap in his sophomore campaign, but to me, his ceiling is Tier 4 or 5.

27 – Jordan Love

2022 stats: 195 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT (appeared in four games)

There might not be a QB in this tier that I have higher hopes for than Jordan Love. He has had three years to sit and learn under Aaron Rodgers and now finally gets his shot to lead the Packers. I think he has all the talent in the world to lead them to success. With great arm talent and mobility, he has the perfect skillset to succeed in today’s NFL. He has shown flashes of it in his few appearances over the last two years. Green Bay still has the talent around him that can allow him to thrive, and I think he’ll do just that. I expect big things out of him in 2023.

28 – Bryce Young

2022 stats: N/A

The 2023 #1 pick out of Alabama is one of the most unique QB prospects in recent memory. The concerns about his size are valid, but he has some of the best playmaking ability that we’ve seen in a long time. He has immense talent that I think can translate well to the NFL, and the Panthers are putting themselves in a position such that he can succeed early and often. I’m looking forward to watching his development this season.

29 – CJ Stroud

2022 stats: N/A

CJ was probably the best all-around passing prospect in April’s draft, and the Texans were very happy to snag him at #2 overall. He’s a prototypical pocket passer with the arm and accuracy to make any throw and an extremely underrated pocket presence. His mobility is also an under-looked part of his skillset and will only get better in the NFL. I can’t wait to see what he can do in Houston as they continue their rebuild.

30 – Anthony Richardson

2022 stats: N/A

Richardson was the most polarizing QB prospect in this year’s draft. He has jaw-dropping raw talent as both a passer and a runner, but it remains to be seen if those skills can be refined and translated into success in the NFL. I believe in the Colts organization and their coaching staff as well as the talent on that offense, so I think Richardson can see some early success in the pros. But it’s clear to everyone that this is a project, and one with an extremely high upside.

31 – Sam Howell

2022 stats: 169 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT (one game as starter)

Our fanbase is absolutely head over heels for Sam Howell because he was once heralded as the best QB prospect in college football (over two years ago) and beat the Cowboys in his lone NFL start with one or two highlight plays. Perhaps we should temper our expectations a bit. I think Sam is immensely talented and is in a great position to do good things in our offense. Everything is right in front of him to seize this opportunity and be a solid NFL starting QB. But we really need to pump the brakes with this “franchise QB” stuff. I have to see it to believe it. Maybe I’m just a pessimist. But when it comes to this franchise, can you blame me?

32 – Desmond Ridder

2022 stats: 708 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT (four games as starter)

To put it nicely, I have no faith in Desmond Ridder as an NFL starter. He was an average passer and runner at Cincinnati, and it’s safe to say that he’s below average in both categories at the professional level. He’s still very inexperienced, but I just don’t see a world where he is Atlanta’s quarterback of the future. He simply lacks the talent to be a successful QB in this league.

All stats taken from Pro Football Reference.