With the 2023 NFL season kicking off tomorrow night when the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs host the Detroit Lions, it’s a good time to make some season predictions. Below you will find my predictions for NFL awards, playoff teams, and Super Bowl LVIII pick. Some of my playoff picks may surprise you but the NFL has surprises every year. After all there were seven new playoff teams last year! Enough preamble, let’s get to the predictions!

Award Predictions

MVP: Justin Herbert

Justin Herbert is set to thrive in this Chargers offense with new OC Kellen Moore joining the team. Moore’s pass heavy and downfield attack should perfectly complement Herbert’s skillset. With the best offensive line the Chargers have had in years along with a strong WR core including Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and rookie Quentin Johnston, Herbert should be able to put up huge numbers and have a lot of team success as well.

OPOY: Christian McCaffrey

Even in a loaded offense with many playmakers, Christian McCaffrey should be set up to put up big numbers yet again. His versatility as a runner and receiver makes him such a mismatch against opposing defenses in Kyle Shanahan’s system. Even in an offense that includes Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle, McCaffrey is the engine for that offense.

DPOY: Myles Garrett

I believe Myles Garrett is poised to have a monster season this year off the edge. With trade acquisition Za’Darius Smith and underrated FA signing Ogbo Okoronkwo joining that defensive line, Garrett should be able to be even more productive than he has been in an already stellar career.

OROY: Bijan Robinson

One of the most talented running backs in recent draft memory, Bijan Robinson should have immediate success. Running behind an elite offensive line and being utilized in Arthur Smith’s run heavy attack is the perfect match for Robinson to take home OROY honors. Add in his pass catching ability and it’s not hard to imagine Robinson reaching 1,500+ scrimmage yards even in a crowded RB room that includes second year player Tyler Allgeier and veteran Cordarrelle Patterson.

DROY: Jalen Carter

Jalen Carter should be able to feast on opposing offensive lines playing along this Philadelphia front. Carter is a force as both a pass rusher and run stopper and should be able to put up big sack numbers with the Eagles probably maintaining leads in many games.

Comeback Player of the Year: T.J. Watt

One of the most important players to his team’s success, T.J. Watt missed seven games last year for the Steelers. His presence on the field is monumental for a Steelers team that went 8-2 with Watt on the field opposed to 1-6 when he missed games. With Watt presumably staying healthy for a full season this year, he should challenge for 20 sacks once again.

Coach of the Year: Dan Campbell

The Lions are poised to do big things this year and one of the reasons why is their head coach. Dan Campbell has helped transform the Lions from a bottom dwelling team with little expectations into a team many expect to be contenders this year. I believe Detroit will win 10+ games and be a formidable opponent this season with Campbell leading this team.

Playoff Predictions

AFC East Winner: Bills

This one was tough but I believe the Bills will win this division for the fourth consecutive season. They have the most continuity within the division and have a very talented team headlined by Josh Allen offensively. I loved the addition of Dalton Kincaid in the draft and believe he could be a great complement to Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Dawson Know, and company. With Micah Hyde returning from injury, they should still have a solid defense in place even with Sean McDermott taking over play calling defensively for Leslie Frazier.

AFC West Winner: Chargers

I know this might surprise many but this Chargers team has a loaded roster ready to win the division. The offensive line looks the best it has in years, and they have a vast array of WRs with different skill sets. Defensively, a healthy Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack could be a huge problem for opposing offenses. If this team can avoid some of the injuries sustained in the last several years, the AFC West division title is in sight.

AFC North Winner: Browns

This might be another bold take, but the Browns are a team with a strong roster ready to win now. The big question for this team will be whether Deshaun Watson can return to form. While I have doubts he can return to elite form, he does have a strong supporting cast. With the best pure runner in the NFL in Nick Chubb and a very good offensive line, the run game should be able to take some pressure off Watson and the offense. Defensively, Cleveland boasts great players across the board including Myles Garrett, Za’Darius Smith, and Denzel Ward that should be able to slow down offenses.

AFC South Winner: Jaguars

I have some concerns with the Jaguars but they should still be able to win the division. Trevor Lawrence will be able to grow in his second year in Doug Pederson’s offense and they have intriguing weapons including Christian Kirk, Calvin Ridley, Evan Engram, and Travis Etienne. My one concern with the offense is the suspension of Cam Robinson at LT for the first four games of the season. Defensively, I think the pass rush has promise with Josh Allen and first overall pick Travon Walker heading into year two, but the secondary has some question marks to me.

AFC Wild Card 1: Bengals

The Bengals return with one of the best offenses in the league and big FA acquisition Orlando Brown Jr. on their offensive line. One thing to watch this year is the performance of Joe Mixon. He didn’t look quite like himself last year and needs to regain his form after losing Samaje Perine in free agency. On defense, the losses of Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates are not ideal but Dax Hill has shown some positive signs he can fill one of those spots.

AFC Wild Card 2: Jets

The Jets are ready to take the next step and make the playoffs with the arrival of Aaron Rodgers. As excited as I am to see the offense this year, the defense could be even better than it was last year. The Jets have an assortment of pass rushers that will be able to close out games for them this year after adding first round edge rusher Will McDonald to the mix. The Jets have a complete and deep roster ready to make a run this year.

AFC Wild Card 3: Chiefs

This Chiefs team has a lot of question marks heading into this season. One of the big questions is when Chris Jones will return to the team. Without him, this pass rush looks extremely weak. Another one of the big questions is which WR will step up offensively. I still believe Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes will figure it out but this season figures to have more challenges than past years.

NFC East Winner: Cowboys

There hasn’t been repeat division winners in the NFC East since the Eagles in 2004. I see that trend continuing with the Cowboys taking the division crown this year. This is the most balanced team the Cowboys have had in years. I thought the trades for Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks were great veteran acquisitions for a team looking to get over the hump and win a Super Bowl. With Tony Pollard taking over as the lead RB, look for this offense to create even more explosive plays this season.

NFC West Winner: Seahawks

I love what the Seahawks are building in their secondary. The drafting of Devon Witherspoon should pair well with rookie sensation and NFL interception leader Tariq Woolen in the secondary. The Seahawks also have a talented trio of safeties that have different skillsets in Julian Love, Quandre Diggs, and Jamal Adams. The run defense needs to improve but Dre’Mont Jones should help in that department. Along with the firepower on offense, this Seahawks team can win a lot of games this season.

NFC North Winner: Lions

This division seems to be in transition right now, but the Lions look to have the most complete team on paper. The defense added some key pieces this offseason through FA and the draft including CJ Gardner Johnson, Jack Campbell, and Brian Branch among others. The drafting of Jahmyr Gibbs on offense gives them an explosive threat who can be utilized in the run game and the pass game.

NFC South Winner: Saints

This division seems to be up for grabs coming into the season but I ultimately think the Saints win it because they have have the most experienced QB in the division. On offense this team can be explosive with Chris Olave entering his second season and Michael Thomas hopefully staying healthy. Although the defense is getting older, they still have some key players still playing at a high level.

NFC Wild Card 1: 49ers

This 49ers teams will have a great chance to make another run at the Super Bowl. I think Brock Purdy will continue to play well heading into his first full year as a starter and they plenty of weapons surrounding him. Adding Javon Kinlaw in free agency to that defensive line was almost unfair and will help open up other opportunities along that defensive line. Something to monitor for this team will be rookie kicker Jake Moody who struggled this preseason.

NFC Wild Card 2: Eagles

Look for the Eagles to come back very strong again this season. This roster is loaded across the board with talent and there are very few weaknesses. One minor concern is the WR depth if AJ Brown or Devonta Smith were to get hurt. The running back rotation has great depth as well which will keep everyone fresh and ready to go when their number is called. Overall, I see them narrowly finishing second in the NFC East and making another playoff run.

NFC Wild Card 3: Packers

I think the Packers are being slept on entering the season. The offense might have its hiccups with Jordan Love taking over at QB and fielding a young WR core but I believe the defense has a chance to be very good this season. Over the last couple of drafts Green Bay has invested heavily in defense taking Devonte Wyatt, Quay Walker, and Lukas Van Ness. With a strong defense taking pressure off Love and the offense, I think Green Bay sneaks in as the 7 seed.

Super Bowl LVIII Pick: Chargers over 49ers

As you can tell, I am all in on the Chargers this season. I think they beat the 49ers in a close and entertaining game and take home the franchise’s first Lombardi trophy.