As we prepare for the 2023 NFL season, Blitzers were asked to make predictions. Here are the questions that they had to answer.
- WHICH FIRST-YEAR HEAD COACH WILL HAVE THE MOST SUCCESS AND WHY? OPTIONS: SEAN PAYTON (BRONCOS), JOHNATHAN GANNON (CARDINALS), DEMECO RYANS (TEXANS), SHANE STEICHEN (COLTS), Frank Reich (Panthers)?
- PLAYER WITH THE MOST PRESSURE ENTERING THE SEASON?
- TEAM WITH THE MOST PRESSURE ENTERING THE SEASON?-
- TEAM THAT MADE THE PLAYOFFS THAT YOU THINK WILL MISS THIS YEAR? (TRY TO PICK ONE FROM BOTH CONFERENCES)
- TEAM THAT MISSED THE PLAYOFFS THAT YOU THINK WILL MAKE IT THIS YEAR? (PICK ONE FROM BOTH CONFERENCES
- FIRST COACH TO BE FIRED/COACH ON THE HOTTEST SEAT ENTERING THE SEASON?
- FAVORITE/LEAST FAVORITE OFF-SEASON MOVE – CAN BE PLAYER SIGNING OR COACH HIRE.
- PICK EACH DIVISION WINNER AND WHY
- AWARDS: MVP, COACH OF THE YEAR, OPOY, DPOY, OROY, DROY
- SUPER BOWL PREDICTIONS – RESULT OF GAME AND GAME MVP.
Here is how our blitzers answered these questions
- Allie – Frank Reich – Since the NFC South is the weakest league, this gives Reich a chance to shine and possibly make it to the playoffs
Bill – Demeco Ryans– After winning the assistant coach of the year last year, he has a top QB draft pick with CJ Stroud and a top defense pick with Will Anderson. With a great defensive mind like Ryans, he can work Anderson into this Defense.
Jeff – Sean Payton – When Sean Payton was in New Orleans, he had a top 5 offense when Drew Brees was in the twilight of his career. The Cardinals have a QB who not only lost his #1 receiver but is also coming off an ACL injury. The Texans, Panthers, and Colts are probably starting rookie QBs. The Broncos also signed two big O-linemen to help protect Wilson.
Mark: Frank Reich – he has a very young team but a team with much potential to go far, and by far, I mean 8-9, is one hell of an increase from last year.
Mike – Demeco Ryans – Houston has no expectations, and they are quietly assembling an excellent roster. They’re not a playoff team, but they are very much improved.
- A.W.:Jalen Hurts – Philadelphia Eagles
Bill -Jordan Love – Green Bay Packers. He is now the guy in Green Bay, and if there’s no instant success, people might look for another change.
Jeff – The easy answer is Aaron Rodgers. Every NJ fan is expecting a Super Bowl win. Nothing short of that. Their Defense gave up the fifth-fewest points last year and had breakout stars at WR, RB, and DB.
Mark – I will say it, and it’s Dak Prescott. Not because I am a huge Dallas fan, but you can’t get a more impressive team on the field and can accept anything less than making it to the NFC champ game. Dak has the weapons, and the Defense is in the top 5 in the league.
Mike – Rodgers. He wasn’t happy in Green Bay, and it was apparent. Now he’s the toast of New York City, and the Super Bowl has to be the expectation; anything short of that, and this season is a failure.
- A.W.:NY Jets
Bill: The team with the most Pressure would be the New York Jets, with them getting Aaron Rodgers and adding other weapons like Allen Lazard and Dalvin Cook.
Jeff – The Jets just because of how well the rookies all performed last year with a non polished QB, and now they have one of the greatest of all time, all be it in the twilight of his career, but still one of the greatest. The Giants because of how well they performed under new head coach Brian Daboll, bringing them from nowhere into the playoffs. The Cowboys because how long can they be kept out of the playoffs with a highly paid QB, an all-star at RB, WR and a defense that has Demarcus Lawrence, Micha Parsons, and Trevon Diggs
The Eagles because they dominated the NFC just to come up short in the Super bowl. The Pressure to return is excellent with a full year together. Finally, the Bills because it seems like every year is their year to make it to the Superbowl with Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs
Mark – 49ers – Roster has a lot of talent on it. If Brock Purdy plays as well as he did last season, they should be fine, but the Pressure is on in an NFC that is top-heavy.
Mike – Chargers – First, the Jets are the correct answer, but they’ve been said enough. We can all talk about how great the Chargers roster is. Our lasting image of the Chargers was blowing a 27-0 lead vs. the Jags in the Playoffs. That roster will have some changes soon because of the recent extension of quarterback Justin Herbert.
- A.W.:NFC (NY Giants), AFC (LA Chargers))
Bill: NFC- Tampa Bay Bucs – After making the playoffs by winning a terrible division, giving Brady his worst NFL season, and ending his career with anything but a bang. I don’t know if Baker will settle in this year.
AFC-Miami Dolphins – the significant factor is if TUA can stay healthy, and the offensive line could be messy.
Jeff: NFC = I’m going on a ledge and saying the 49ers. The league has enough film on Brock Purdy to get a game plan together. He got hurt at the end of last season, and if he does again, their backup is failed-fist-round pick Sam Darnold. Good luck with that.
AFC = This one was hard, but I might go with the Dolphins, who just got in with the 7th seed. Will Tua make it a whole season?
Mark: I’m going to say two teams from the NFC. Giants: I do not believe in Daniel Jones, even after last year. Also, they’re not flying under the radar.
Vikings: Adam Theilen and Dalvin Cook are both gone. They’ve taken a step back, and also, they won a lot of one-score games last season.
Mike: Bucs (NFC): I don’t trust Baker Mayfield in any big spot. Also, after Tom Brady retired, I thought this could have been a team that just blew it up and started a rebuild.
AFC: I’m going with the Chargers for this as well. They’re the second-best team in the West, but I have a gut feeling something might go wrong in LA.
- A.W.: NFC(Carolina Panthers), AFC (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Bill : NFC: Detroit Lions – They ended last season red hot, and the NFC North is very winnable.
AFC: Houston Texans – Demeco Ryans might have his franchise Quarterback with CJ Stroud. They added Dalton Schultz and Devin Singletary on offense as well.
Jeff: NFC = I hate to say it, but the Saints. They have a much better QB, a big-time WR in Thomas if he’s healthy, and rookie sensation Chris Olave.
AFC = The NY Jets…if Rodgers stays healthy
Mark : (AFC) Jets- They have a Talented roster and added Aaron Rodgers to it.
(NFC) Lions – Played well at the end of the season. If Jared Goff plays as well as he did last year, the Lions should win the North.
Mike (AFC): Browns – I think many people are sleeping on the Browns. They’ll have Deshaun Watson for an entire season without anything hanging over his head. Nick Chubb is an elite running back, and Myles Garrett is one of the most dominant pass rushers in the NFL.
(NFC) – Saints – Derek Carr comes into the NFC South as the best quarterback in the division. They have the talent, especially on Defense, to win games.
AW’s Pick: Arthur Smith (Atlanta Falcons)
Jeff: This is a tossup between Kevin Stefanski of the Browns and Mike McCarthy of the Cowboys. The Browns have many of the pieces to be good but not division-winning good. They need not be last and have at least a 9-8 record, and give them a chance to be in it.
The Cowboys, how many times are they not going to get to the NFC Championship game with the talent they have?
Mark: Mike check: Mike McCarthy is entering the season on the hottest seat. I’m also looking at Mike McDaniel.
Bill: Ron Rivera of Washington Commanders – With new ownership in charge and a new young QB, If the Commanders finish below 500 and with them only making the playoffs once since Rivera took charge, this could be his final season in DC.
Mike: Mike McCarthy- The most challenging job in any sport is to be the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. If the Cowboys get off to a slow start or Jerry Jones doesn’t like how they look, he’ll fire Mccathy and have Dan Quinn take over.
- A.W.:Favorite: Jalen Ramsey( Rams>Dolphins) , Least Favorite: Juju Smith-Schuster (Chiefs> Patriots))
Jeff: My favorite off-season move is something off the rails and that would be the addition of LT Orlando Brown Jr. moving from the Chiefs to the Bengals to help keep Joe Burrow upright.
My least favorite move was the disrespect the Ravens showed Lamar Jackson before signing him to a five-year deal.
Bill: Favorite – Colts hiring Shane Steichen. Steichen has a good history of prepping young QBSs, Such as Justin Herbert when he was the offensive coordinator of the Chargers and Jalen Hurts when he was the offensive coordinator of the Eagles. Now, it is time to see what can he do with Anthony Richardson.
My least favorite – Trey Lance being traded to the Cowboys. This was a QB the 49ers gave up three first-round picks for and traded him for a 4th round pick. While Lance has his issues, he could still have the potential to have a good season if something happens to Dak.
Mark: Favorite Deandre Hopkins to Titans – Gives them a legitimate number-one receiver in an offense that has been Derrick Henry-heavy the past few seasons.
My least favorite – the Giants re-signing Daniel Jones – Most people would have instead paid Saquon, but the Giants decided to pay the quarterback; he better be worth every dime.
Mike: Favorite: Javon Hargrave -49ers Hargrave had 11 sacks last year for the Eagles. Now he goes to a 49er defense with Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead. Man, the Niners are loaded.
Least favorite Baker Mayfield Bucs: The Bucs still think they can contend with the roster they have despite Tom Brady’s retirement. This is not an indictment of Baker, but I think the Bucs should have considered maybe a teardown after the GOAT retired.
AFC EAST PREDICTION
AW : BILLS: Even though everyone is saying this is the Jet’s year, something tells me that they will choke
Jeff – Jets
Mark – JETS – Aaron Rodgers was the missing link. This Defense is good enough to keep games close, and Rodgers will do his thing.
Bill: JETS – Rodgers didn’t come alone, adding Dalvin Cook and Allen Lizard to an offense with Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson. The Defense was one of the best last season.
Mike: BILLS – To be the man, you have to beat the man. The Bills are the man, and right now, the only concern is that Josh Allen is on the cover of Madden.
AFC NORTH
AW./JEFF/BILL/MIKE: BENGALS: Joe Burrow has the best trio of receivers in the league with Chase, Boyd and Higgins. The Defense is no slouch, either.
Mark: STEELERS – Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season. They have the talent on both sides of the ball, and we don’t know how Joe Burrow’s calf is.
AFC SOUTH :
Everyone: Jags – They played so well last season. Trevor Lawrence is in year two with Doug Pederson and will have Calvin Ridley, who the Jags traded for at the trade deadline last season. Also, the other teams aren’t trustworthy.
AFC WEST
AW/BILL/JEFF/MIKE – CHIEFS – They’re the defending champs for a reason. The offense should be fine if they have Mahomes and Kelce. The Chris Jones situation will be resolved sooner rather than later.
Mark: CHARGERS – I believe Herbert will live up to the hype of his new contract. They really are the biggest threat to the Chiefs in this division.
NFC EAST
AW/BILL/JEFF/ MIKE – EAGLES – They just have so much talent on both sides of the ball. If Hurts can replicate what he did last year, they’ll be back in the Super Bowl.
MARK – COWBOYS – Are you shocked?
NFC NORTH
AW/BILL/MARK/MIKE – DETROIT LIONS. They’ll capitalize on what they did at the end of last season, and the division has returned to them.
Jeff: Vikings – They won the division last year, and I expect them to repeat.
NFC SOUTH
AW – PANTHERS – With Brady retired, anyone can win the division; I like the Panthers roster.
Mark – Falcons – There’s much talent on this team, and with a winnable division, I like the Falcons.
Bill/Jeff/Mike – Saints – Derek Carr gives this team the quarterback they desperately need. If Michael Thomas can stay healthy, that’s a bonus, and the Defense has been good over the years.
NFC West
AW/BILL/MARK/MIKE – 49ERS – That Defense is so good. If Brock Purdy plays as well as he did last year, this team is one of the top of the conference. Also, a full year of McCaffrey should help.
Jeff – SEAHAWKS – Geno Smith balled last year, and the Seahawks are back in this division after many people thought they’d take a step back.
AWARD PREDICTIONS
MVP :
AW- JOE BURROW
BILL – JALEN HURTS
JEFF – PATRICK MAHOMES
MARK – DAK PRESCOTT
MIKE: JOE BURROW
COACH OF THE YEAR
AW/BILL – DAN CAMPBELL (LIONS)
JEFF – BRIAN DABOLL (GIANTS)
MARK – ROBERT SALAH (JETS)
MIKE – DENNIS ALLEN (SAINTS)
OPOY
AW – Christian McCaffrey
BILL – Ja’Marr Chase
Jeff – Patrick Mahomes
Mark – Bryce Young
Mike – Justin Jefferson
DPOY
AW: Aidan Hutchinson (LIONS)
BILL : Nick Bosa (49ers)
Jeff: Hasson Reddick (Eagles)
Mark: Micah Parsons (Cowboys)
Mike: Aaron Donald (Rams)
O/DROY
AW: OROY -BRYCE YOUNG (PANTHERS) DROY: JALEN CARTER (EAGLES )
BILL: CJ STROUD/ WILL ANDERSON – TEXANS
JEFF: BIJAN ROBINSON (FALCONS)/ WILL ANDERSON (TEXANS)
MARK: JORDAN ADDISON (VIKINGS), MAZI SMITH (COWBOYS )
MIKE: BIJAN ROBINSON (FALCONS) DEVON WITHERSPOON (SEAHAWKS)
SUPER BOWL PREDICTION (SCORE AND MVP INCLUDED)
AW : San Francisco 49ers-29 vs Cincinnati Bengals-21, MVP: George Kittle
BILL: Bengals 21- San Francisco 17. Joe Burrow MVP
JEFF: CHIEFS – MVP MAHOMES
MARK: COWBOYS 38 BILLS 24 MVP DAK PRESCOTT
MIKE: 49ers 27 CHIEFS 24 MVP CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY
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