The Washington Commanders
Washington is finally free of the chains of Dan Snyder. Snyder’s poor stewardship and scumbaggery ran a once proud franchise into the ground. Josh Harris, owner of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, is now the owner of the franchise. And he is set to make some changes. Team president Jason Wright and head coach Ron Rivera could possibly be out the door if the franchise cannot find success in 2023. On the note of success, it will be a tough road for Washington. The NFC East is squaring up to be a highly contested division, after the Eagles, Cowboys, and Giants all made the playoffs in 2022. Washington’s offense was volatile at best in 2022. They trotted out three starting QBs, Carson Wentz, Taylor Henickie, and Sam Howell. Howell, the second-year fifth-rounder out of UNC, showed much promise in his lone start against Dallas, leading Washington to a win in Week 18. Howell seems to have the keys to the offense. Free agent signee Jacoby Brissett took snaps at QB2 in camp and in preseason. Washington does have a strong supporting cast on offense with Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel, and Logan Thomas as pass catchers. Antonio Gibson and Brian Robinson Jr. will take many of the carries out of the backfield, but keep an eye on rookie Chris Rodriguez Jr. The defense should be a crutch for the team to lean on if the offense struggles. The elite defensive line spearheaded by Chase Young, Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen, and Montez Sweat. If Washington is subpar in 2023, expecting a big change of 2024.
The Dallas Cowboys
Dallas always finds a way to disappoint, no matter what the expectations for the franchise are. And I believe I have found the reason why. Jerry Jones. Jerry is the NFL’s most “hands-on” owner, and that approach may have worked in the past, (1990s), but not anymore. Jerry’s style of ownership worked when Dallas was successful, winning championships and
being perennial playoff contenders. However the tides have turned in the last 10 years, Dallas has enjoyed minor playoff success, but has not reached a conference championship since the late 90s. Jerry’s lack of finding a championship caliber head coach is also a big reason for this. Jason Garrett was a solid coach but was no offensive mastermind, while Mike McCarthy’s best years are behind him. Another mark against Jerry Jones’ tenure as the franchise’s de-facto GM was the bloated contract he gave Ezekiel Elliott, who preceded to have some of the worst years of his career after signing the $90,000,000 deal. Elliott, released in March, is now the RB2 on the Patriots roster. Dallas drafted Tony Pollard in the 2019 draft with expectations that he would be a speedy foil to Zeke. Pollard and exceeded those expectations and then some, becoming one of the more explosive backs in the league. Dallas should have a top tier offense with Dak Prescott throwing to Ceedee Lamb, Michael Gallup, and new acquisition Brandin Cooks. Defensively Dallas definitely has a talented unit headlined by Trevon Diggs and All-Pro Micah Parsons. Expectations should be high, and is this the year Dallas fulfills them?
The New York Giants
2022 was surprising success for the G-Men. After years of mediocrity the veil of darkness lifted from over the Meadowlands. It was all due to one major change. The Giants haven’t had a stable coaching staff since the days of Tom Coughlin, but when Brian Daboll came to town, all that changed. Daboll developed the extremely raw Josh Allen into an elite QB in Buffalo, and he has the task of doing the same to Daniel Jones. Jones wasn’t a world-beater in 2022, but he was much improved from his 2021 campaign. Daboll utilized Jones’ running ability as well as his arm strength. Saquon Barkley also had a comeback season after an injury-ridden 2021-2022. The primary issue with New York is the lack of pass catchers and pass defenders. The Giants did swing a trade with the Raiders to acquire Pro Bowl tight end Darren Waller, a move that I see as a low-risk high-reward acquisition. Isaiah Hodgins was a solid pickup off the practice squad. Meanwhile rookie third rounder Jalin Hyatt is making some waves at Giants practice and camp. The secondary has a lot of young potential. Xavier McKinney headlines a young group consisting of Deonte Banks, Darnay Holmes, and Dane Belton. Potential is the word of the year for New York.
The Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles were a controversial holding call away from a Super Bowl victory last season. But this is the NFL and there is no time to dwell on the failures of the past. Jalen Hurts showed he is the franchise guy, and the organization rewarded him with a five-year $255,000,000 contract. Hurts will continue to have the talents of AJ Brown and Devonta Smith as his receiving options, while Dallas Goedert will be the reliable tight end he has been his whole career. Miles Sanders departed for Carolina, and the Eagles will rely on Rashaad Penny and Kenneth Gainwell to fill to void. Philly also had some defensive departures as well, with TJ Edwards and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson leaving via free agency. However, Philly also had a great draft haul. Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith will be instant impact starters, while 4th rounder Kelee Ringo is a name to watch. The sky’s the limit in 2023 for the Birds.
The Chicago Bears
Chicago quite possibly had one of the best offseasons in recent memory. The Bears, who finished with a league-worst 3-14 record, traded the #1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers for a package that included Carolina’s 2023 and 2024 first-rounders. But the biggest acquisition of the trade for Chicago was DJ Moore. Moore gives Justin Fields the true WR1 he has lacked for the majority of his career. Chicago also brought in notable free agents TJ Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds, and Nate Davis. The main question surrounding the Bears is Justin Fields’s development. In 2022, Fields was great in spots, especially with his 1,000 rushing yards. However, his passing numbers were sub-par. This could be due to his lack of a reliable receiving threat apart from Darnell Mooney, who is a WR3 on a good team in my opinion. With Moore and an improved tight end core of Cole Kmet and Robert Tonyan, will Fields take the next step in 2023?
The Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings’s 2022 record gives the illusion of a dominant team. Minnesota won eleven of their thirteen wins by one score, while also holding a -3 point differential. How could this happen? Minnesota benefited from a relatively weak 2022 schedule, a fact that was exposed when they were routed by the Cowboys, Eagles, Packers, and Lions. The Vikings offense was very good, headlined by Pro Bowlers Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, and 1st Team All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson. Cook is now in New York, and it will be up to the promising Alexander Mattison to replace him. However, their defense was abysmal, ranking 25th in points allowed and 27th in yards allowed. Minnesota hired former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores to revamp the defense, and he will have his work cut out for him. Minnesota has an aging defense, and they lost Eric Kendricks and Za’Darius Smith this offseason. Harrison Smith is nearing the end of his career, but he is still the leader of the defense. It will have to be a balanced team to contend in a contested NFC North.
The Green Bay Packers
Green Bay is entering the first season without Aaron Rodgers since 2005. Jordan Love was drafted in 2020 with the intention that he would develop behind Rodgers for several years. Love has appeared to do so, showing much promise in the preseason. Love will be the cornerstone of a young team. Love’s top three receivers are either in their first or second seasons, and his top three tight ends are all under 25. Green Bay also has a very good, if not great, running back corps. Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon can both be RB1, but work better in tandem. Green Bay’s defense was solid in 2022, and stepped up in a big way towards the end of the season. If Love and the offense struggles to get going early, Rashan Gary and company will need to hold up their end of the bargain. I do believe the Pack will surprise some in 2023, but it will all come down to the play of the new QB1.
The Detroit Lions
In my opinion, the Lions were the biggest 2022 surprise team. A team, expected to finish below .500, produced a 9-8 record. No one expected the Lions to have one of the best offensive units in the league, but it happened. Jared Goff proved that he was more than just a system QB. Goff finished in the top ten in both passing yards and touchdowns. The rushing offense was pretty bland and weak, but that’s why Detroit drafted Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round to fix that weakness. However the biggest issue for the Lions was the defense, who was absolutely abhorrent in 2022. Detroit finished at 31st in scoring defense and 29th in yards allowed. This was a cause for concern for GM Brad Holmes, who brought in several impact players via free agency and the draft. CJ Gardner-Johnson will be an instant impact at safety, while rookies Jack Campbell and Brian Branch show promise early. The Lions have the tools to contend in the NFC this season, but do they have the knowledge to use them?
The Carolina Panthers
The Panthers made one of the biggest draft trades of the 2000s, trading two first and second rounders and DJ Moore for the 1st overall pick. Carolina selected QB Bryce Young out of Alabama, who despite his 5’10” frame projects well at the NFL level. The biggest problem with the Young selection is his durability, and preseason action has showed that the Panthers has O-Line concerns. Ikem Ekwonu is great, but the rest of the line is porous at best. Young should have some quality weapons, with Carolina signing Miles Sanders and Hayden Hurst in the offseason. One of my personal favorite Carolina acquisitions was drafting rookie Johnathan Mingo. Mingo shows a lot of promise and will grow together with QB Young. I see a lot of potential in this Carolina team, but it will be some time for the pieces to combine.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay is entering the post-Tom Brady era, and the biggest is the QB. Baker Mayfield had a puzzling 2022 – traded to Carolina then being released and signing with the Rams, where he had some solid showings. Mayfield then signed with Tampa, who held a QB competition with 2021 second-rounder Kyle Trask. Mayfield, just recently was named the starter, but not without a good effort from Trask. Whoever the QB may be they will not be without options. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are still very talented receivers. And young players Trey Palmer and Cade Otton have shown flashes in the preseason. The defense is where most of the questions lie for Tampa. Star linebacker Devin White is entering a contract year and has had disputes with the front office, so expect him to be a trade deadline selling point. Aging stars Lavonte David and Shaq Barrett could also be bargaining chips. The players I can say are secure are Antoine Winfeld Jr., Vita Vea, and rookie first-rounder Calijah Kancey. If times are tough in TB, there could be a fire sale in the near future.
The Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta is building an offense designed for the power run. Tyler Allegier was a pleasant surprise in 2022 rushing for over 1,000 yards. The Falcons also decided to draft Bijan Robinson 7th overall, who was electric at Texas and has a future as a true bell cow in the league. The decision to choose Robinson shows that Arthur Smith is attempting to recreate the success he has with Derrick Henry in Tennessee. The running ability of QB Desmond Ridder will open up the read-option game as well, while Ridder has some great pass-catchers in Kyle Pitts and Drake London. If Ridder can be a serviceable game manager, the Falcons will win games off of efficiency and the running game alone. Atlanta needs to improve on defense. Bringing in Jesse Bates lll, Calias Campbell, and Jeff Okudah is a nice start, but not enough. Atlanta’s biggest problems were with pass rush. The hope is that Arnold Abiketie will develop into a solid pass-rusher, but others will need to step up as well.
The New Orleans Saints
In a rather weak NFC South, the Saints have the most complete roster. NOLA’s defense was very good in 2022. However, the Saints were held back by a stagnant offense. Jameis Winston proved that his success was a fluke and was benched for Andy Dalton. Despite the weak QB play, rookie wide receiver Chris Olave was able to have a solid debut season, while Michael Thomas missed most of the season due to injuries. The Saints signed Derek Carr, a Pro Bowler who had an up and down season with Las Vegas in 2022. But Carr is expected to return to his elite form. The signing of Jamaal Williams will give a solid red-zone option for Carr while also serving as a stopgap until Alvin Kamara returns from his three game suspension. The Saints will benefit from a weak schedule and should be a playoff contender, but this is the NFL, anything could happen.
