Inside every begin to a brand new season, there’s hope. Groups have spent months re-tooling their roster whereas re-examining their modus operandi. For the Ravens, the months main as much as the 2023 season have marked by change, accented with new faces. Lamar Jackson has a brand new contract. The vast receiver room is loaded with potential. The protection, decided to select up the place they left off in 2022.

How will all the brand new items match collectively? Will they make a distinction within the staff’s outcomes?  And maybe most significantly, can the staff advance past the Divisional Spherical of the playoffs, one thing they’ve did not do since Lamar’s arrival. That’s a monkey-on-the-back that LJ, the staff and naturally the followers hope to unload in the course of the 2023 season.

Right here’s how workers members at RSR imagine the 2023 season will play out…

 

Tony Lombardi

Division winners

• N.Y. Jets
• Baltimore
• Jacksonville
• Kansas Metropolis
• Philadelphia
• Detroit
• New Orleans
• San Francisco

Wild playing cards

• Buffalo
• Cincinnati
• Pittsburgh
• Dallas
• Seattle
• Minnesota

Convention Championships

• Baltimore over Jacksonville
• Philadelphia over Minnesota

Tremendous Bowl

• Baltimore over Philadelphia

MVP

• Aaron Rodgers

OPOY

• Justin Jefferson

DPOY

• T.J. Watt

Rookies of the Yr

• Bijan Robinson (offense)
• Will Anderson (protection)

Random Predictive Ideas

• Tom Brady will stay retired regardless of pleas to swimsuit up for the Raiders after Jimmy Garoppolo calls out because of a damaged fingernail.

• Russell Wilson might be benched by Sean Payton when the Broncos fall to (3-5).

• Kevin Stefanski might be skippering the Browns sideline for the final time this season. The staff’s failures, triggered by an overpaid quarterback who can’t get it accomplished when it counts essentially the most, will ship the Browns residence with a (7-10) report and one other final place end.

• Bengals followers might be loud, obnoxious, and whiny all through the season. Oh wait, that’s not daring. That’s slightly apparent. However I’m sticking with it anyway.

Rob Shields

The AFC is totally loaded this 12 months and the NFC is horrific. There might be a number of groups within the AFC that don’t make the playoffs that would go deep in the event that they had been fortunate sufficient to be within the NFC.

The AFC North is one of the best division in soccer and so they even have a straightforward schedule. I believe it’s a toss-up on who wins the division and it comes right down to well being. Proper now, if I had to decide on, I’m taking the Ravens to win the division with Cincinnati and Pittsburgh proper there and likewise making the playoffs.

The AFC East can also be a loaded division however they’ve a harder out of division schedule. I believe Buffalo nonetheless wins that division however Miami and the Jets are going to problem.

The AFC South will go to Jacksonville. I suppose the Titans may play some type of a spoiler and sure gained’t be some terrible staff however I don’t see a lot from them. Indy and Houston are enjoying the lengthy sport with rookie quarterbacks.

The AFC West has one of the best staff and a Chargers squad that could possibly be actually good. Denver is a query mark and I’m guessing the Raiders are one of many worst groups within the convention, however that might be a mirrored image of how good the convention is.

So, I’ve three groups from the North, Jacksonville, Chiefs and Buffalo going to the playoffs. The final spot is between the Jets, Dolphins and Chargers. As of proper now, I’m leaning the Jets there. I wrestle to belief Miami due to Tua’s well being, and the Chargers seemingly at all times discover a method to not make it. The Jets have A-A-Ron now and a very good protection. I believe they will win 10-11 video games. I believe all three of these groups may, and because of this I believe the AFC has not less than one 10-win staff miss the playoffs.

Within the NFC, I’m taking Philly to win the East, though I believe Dallas might be proper there with them. I don’t assume the Giants or Commanders consider in any respect.

Within the North, I believe three groups can win the division and it’s very a lot a toss-up. I believe I’m leaning Detroit however they should present they will deal with the hype, which they aren’t used to.

The NFC South is terrible however I’m taking the Saints there. Go take a look at their schedule and the listing of QBs they play this 12 months…it’s terrible. They may win 12 or 13 video games. Derek Carr is a reliable QB and so they have a great protection even when they aren’t going up in opposition to say, Me, at QB.

San Francisco wins the West. Some are considering Seattle may sneak in due to Brock Purdy dropping off however but nobody thinks Geno Smith will drop off?

So, I’m taking SF, Philly, NO, and Detroit as division winners. Dallas, Seattle and Inexperienced Bay to get the opposite playoff spots.

Tremendous Bowl: KC over SF.

In a whole toss up of a league proper now, I’ll take one of the best QB/coach combo. It’s the simple cop out alternative however I must see a lot earlier than I really feel in a different way.

Some awards…

MVP:  Josh Allen

OPOY: Christian McCaffrey

DPOY: Michah Parsons

OROY: Bijan Robinson

DROY: Devon Witherspoon

Darin McCann

Division winners:

Buffalo, Baltimore, Jacksonville, Kansas Metropolis

Dallas, Inexperienced Bay, Atlanta, Seattle

Wild Playing cards:

Miami, Pittsburgh, NY Jets

Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington

Convention Championships:

Kansas Metropolis over Baltimore

San Francisco over Dallas

Tremendous Bowl:

Kansas Metropolis over San Francisco

Awards:

MVP: Josh Allen

OPOY: Tyreek Hill

DPOY: Myles Garrett

Rookies of the Yr: Bijan Robinson, Will Anderson

Random quote drops:

I’m type of wanting on the Bengals to take a small step again this 12 months (assume 9-8) because of modifications at security and odds catching up when it comes to accidents.

Washington is my where-did-that-come-from staff. They’ve a scary defensive entrance, skill-position weapons on offense that may steal a sport or two and a veteran teaching workers that can not less than put their gamers in good positions to succeed.

The Ravens take a step this 12 months, and look to be clicking on all cylinders heading into the playoffs.

Derek Arnold

Division Winners:

Baltimore, Jacksonville, NY Jets, KC

Philly, Detroit, New Orleans, Seattle

Wild Playing cards:

Cincy, Buffalo, LA Chargers

San Francisco, Minnesota, Dallas

Convention Championships:

Chargers over Chiefs

49ers over Eagles

Tremendous Bowl:

Chargers over 49ers

Awards:

MVP: Justin Herbert

OPOY: Tyreek Hill

DPOY: Marcus Williams

Clarify your self:

I’ll exit on a limb and say that that is the 12 months the Chargers lastly recover from the hump. Kellen Moore and Justin Herbert lead among the finest offenses within the NFL, and although they will’t fairly high the Chiefs for the AFC West crown, they flip it on in January and get their revenge there. They tackle one other Wild Card staff within the 49ers, who lose the division late due to some accidents, however get wholesome in time for one more push to the Tremendous Bowl. Give me Moore and Herbert over that fierce SF protection, 27-24.

As for the Ravens, they take the AFC North crown, and beat the Payments within the Wild Card spherical earlier than falling in Arrowhead within the Divisional. Marcus Williams leads the NFL in interceptions and earns some {hardware} like a ball-hawking Ravens security earlier than him.

And my favourite annual prediction, that one 12 months I’ll get proper: The Steelers go 0-17 and don’t get the primary choose, as an alternative being dismantled and faraway from the league. (A man can dream)

Kevin McNelis

AFC Playoff image:

Payments, Chiefs, Bengals, Jags win their divisions

Ravens, Chargers, Dolphins take Wild Card spots

NFC Playoff image:

Eagles, Vikings, Saints, 49ers are division winners

Cowboys, Lions, Seahawks additionally make the playoffs

Tremendous Bowl:

Eagles over Payments,  31-17

Awards:

MVP: Trevor Lawrence

OPOY: Lamar Jackson

DPOY: Micah Parsons

OROY: Jordan Addison

DROY: Deonte Banks

Notes:

In all probability the most controversial take that I’ve included right here is Trevor Lawrence for MVP. A number of issues can occur all through a season, however Lawrence confirmed a ton of enchancment final season, and now enters a division schedule the place the Jags can do some harm. Jacksonville could have an uphill battle in opposition to the cream of the crop within the AFC, however I believe T-Regulation places up some gaudy numbers this 12 months.

With the choice of Jordan Addison as my OROY, a number of Ravens followers will in all probability regard me as a heretic for forsaking Zay Flowers. Zay has a official probability to win it, however Baltimore’s offense has a number of mouths to feed (what an ideal factor to have the ability to say), whereas the Vikings offense is transitioning to life with out Dalvin Prepare dinner and trying to exchange the manufacturing of Adam Thielen. Reverse Justin Jefferson, Addison will profit from with the ability to slide proper into that WR2 spot in a pass-heavy offense, with Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson drawing eyeballs away from him. I’ve a sense he’ll flash this season. When you’re a brilliant long-shot OROY: Jonathan Mingo is value a glance. The Panthers rookie may have the ability to claw his method right into a WR1 position when all is alleged and accomplished, and he’s constructed an ideal rapport with fellow rookie Bryce Younger. Once more, I wouldn’t wager the home on it, nevertheless it may occur.

I’m going method down the board for my DROY, however my intestine says that Deonte Banks goes to flourish in that Giants protection below Wink Martindale. He didn’t enable a catch in protection your complete preseason, and he reveals all the hallmarks of a man poised to turn out to be a lockdown nook in a rush.

Chris Schisler

AFC Playoff Seeding:

1. Chiefs
2. Payments
3. Bengals
4. Jaguars
5. Ravens
6. Jets
7. Dolphins

NFC Playoff Seeding:

1. Eagles
2. 49ers
3. Lions
4. Saints
5. Vikings
6. Bears
7. Giants

Convention Championships:

Ravens @ Chiefs

49ers @ Eagles

Tremendous Bowl:

Chiefs vs. 49ers

The Chiefs win once more… don’t hate me; they’re the most secure staff to wager on.

Awards:

MVP: Patrick Mahomes

OPOY: Justin Jefferson

DPOY: Roquan Smith

OROY: Zay Flowers

DROY: Will Anderson Jr.

I believe my boldest take right here is that the NFC North has three playoff groups. The Lions are taking a step up right here, after Dan Campbell has constructed the tradition and brought the lumps to get thus far. The Bears have Justin Fields and he received assist this offseason. The Vikings are getting essentially the most love. They may make the playoffs, however I don’t hype a Kirk Cousins staff calmly.

Taking the Chiefs is the protected wager. They’ve one of the best quarterback within the league and a Corridor of Fame head coach. In the event that they get residence subject they’re an absolute drawback. It’s not a daring prediction – they’re the reality. The Ravens will get playoff revenge in Cincinnati. I like this prediction a lot. It’s going to be the Zay Flowers present and the league isn’t prepared.

I believe the 49ers are one of the best staff within the NFC, and stands out as the most enjoyable staff to look at within the NFL. The Christmas showdown with the Ravens will really feel like a Tremendous Bowl preview. Each groups have a shot this 12 months. I hope to be unsuitable however I believe the Chiefs are simply that huge drawback each groups will run into.

Jared Pinder

AFC North: Cincinnati Bengals (13-4)

There’s not a lot to say about this one. Whereas it is going to be shut, the Bengals have a a lot simpler schedule than some notice. They’ve a improbable offense, and a great protection. They’re one of the crucial balanced groups within the league; whereas the AFC North is at all times robust, they are going to be victorious due to their expertise.

AFC East: Buffalo Payments (11-6)

The AFC East might be a lot nearer than many anticipate, however the Payments’ pure expertise will carry them. Whereas the dearth of edge rush does scare me, Josh Allen and the talent of the offense are sufficient. Whereas in my simulation, the Jets and Payments find yourself with the identical report, the energy of schedule had the Payments come out on high.

AFC South: Jacksonville Jaguars (11-6)

The AFC South is terrible, with little to no expertise, so the Jaguars had been actually the one possibility right here. The Jags are due for giant issues, with Calvin Ridley being a sneaky OPOY candidate with Trevor Lawrence. I anticipate the protection to enhance this 12 months as properly. The Jags have one thing particular brewing right here, and so they may be poised for a protracted playoff run.

AFC West: Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (14-3)

Now for one of the best staff within the AFC. The Chiefs have dominated their division for therefore lengthy with Patrick Mahomes that it appears a provided that they are going to be within the AFC Championship yearly. Whereas the Chris Jones holdout scares me, he must be again quickly. The Chiefs have every little thing they should make it again to the Tremendous Bowl, which implies dangerous information for followers of each different AFC staff.

As for the Playoff seeds, it goes like this:

1. Chiefs (14-3)
2. Bengals (13-4)
3. Payments (11-6)
4. Jaguars (11-6)
5. Ravens (12-5)
6. Jets (11-6)
7. Chargers (9-7)

Now, onto the NFC…

NFC North: Detroit Lions (9-8)

We’re beginning off the NFC with a spicy take. Whereas I didn’t benefit from the Lions offseason, the remainder of the division has too many query marks. The Vikings had been shut, however with a tougher schedule, anticipate huge regression from them.

NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles (13-4)

The Eagles are superior. That’s all I’ve to say about them, and whereas I’m frightened about regression with Hurts, the expertise is an excessive amount of for me to say I anticipate it, and so they have a fairly weak schedule as properly.

NFC South: Carolina Panthers (9-8)

This division is vomit-inducing dangerous. It got here right down to the wire, however the Panthers in some way handle to win. Anticipating a lot from rookie QBs is like enjoying Russian Roulette, however Bryce Younger with a great coach provides me confidence. They already had an ideal protection, so including a sound offensive thoughts and a younger QB may result in some success.

NFC West: San Francisco 49ers (15-2)

Right here it’s: one of the best report within the NFL will go to the 49ers. The protection places the concern of God into each opposing QB they face, and Kyle Shanahan is a genius offensive thoughts. The QB is a query, however I’ll by no means doubt what Shanahan desires to do. This staff is lethal, and this looks like the 12 months they lastly put it collectively once more in a weak NFC.

The playoffs for the NFC appear to be this:

1. 49ers(15-2)
2. Eagles(13-4)
3. Loins (9-8)
4. Panthers (9-8)
5. Seahawks (12-5)
6. Giants (11-6)
7. Cowboys (10-6)

The Chiefs and the Ravens will meet at Arrowhead, with the Chiefs popping out victorious. Within the NFC, it is going to be a rematch with the Niners getting revenge on the Eagles.

As for the Tremendous Bowl, yup, extra SF revenge. The 49ers get their ring and payback on Mahomes. They lastly end the roles and seize that ring that has been eluding them for years, beating KC 35-27.

Awards:

Offensive Rookie of the Yr: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

Whereas Bijan Robinson is at the moment the favourite, staff success can have way more to do with this award than others. In my simulation, I had the Lions making the playoffs, and Detroit has already talked about how they wish to use Gibbs in methods individuals aren’t anticipating. Gibbs might be used as a receiver, so meaning extra stats. Gibbs, to me, must be the favourite as a result of I believe he could be Alvin Kamara in Detroit.

Defensive Rookie of the Yr: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Seattle Seahawks

Will Anderson is the favourite, however I went with Witherspoon due to staff success. He’s excellent for the Seahawks, and he was my favourite choose of the draft by far. He’ll do particular issues on this protection, and he may have a Sauce Gardner-type of affect in 12 months one.

Offensive Participant of the Yr: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Chase was harm final 12 months, and whereas Joe Burrow’s harm does scare me for this award, I believe Chase has that kind of season the place we begin to query if he’s one of the best receiver within the NFL. The connection he and Burrow have is exclusive, and two years into the NFL, Chase might be in for a particular 12 months, and the Bengals may have one of the best offense in soccer.

Defensive Participant of the Yr: Micah Parsons, DE, Dallas Cowboys

Parsons has been insane within the NFL, however I predict him to win this award as a result of he’s now transitioning to a full-time edge rusher after enjoying a hybrid position since he got here into the league. Like Chase, Parsons can have a 12 months the place we query if he’s one of the best Edge within the NFL.

Most Precious Participant: Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens

Right here is the most popular take I’ve. Lamar Jackson can have one other MVP Season, and with the Ravens making it to the AFC title sport, the choice might be simple. Lamar has every little thing in entrance of him proper now, and Todd Monken’s new Offense helps Lamar win his second MVP.

Aidan Griesser

I actually really feel this would be the 12 months we’ve been anticipating out of the Ravens ever since Lamar Jackson’s MVP season in 2019. The Ravens are stacked throughout the board and have few holes, however will want a wholesome season out of stars like Jackson, JK Dobbins, Marlon Humphrey and Odell Beckham Jr. Throughout the league, I believe there might be a lot of surprises. For one, whereas many anticipate huge years from the Jets, Chargers, and Dolphins, I anticipate division winners to stay in keeping with the Chiefs and Payments. Within the NFC, I don’t anticipate a Tremendous Bowl return for the Eagles, and anticipate 2023 to be the 12 months Dallas lastly strings some playoff wins collectively.

Division Winners (so as of seed):

Kansas Metropolis, Buffalo, Jacksonville, Baltimore

Philadelphia, San Francisco, Minnesota, Carolina

Wild Playing cards:

NYJ, LAC, Cincinnati

Dallas, Detroit, Chicago

Convention Championships:

Baltimore over Kansas Metropolis

Dallas over Detroit

Tremendous Bowl: 

Baltimore over Dallas (Lamar Jackson wins MVP)

Awards:

MVP: Lamar Jackson

OPOY: Christian McCaffrey

DPOY: TJ Watt

Rookies of the Yr: Jahmyr Gibbs & Will Anderson

Brennan Stewart

AFC Division Winners: Buffalo Payments, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars

AFC Wild Playing cards: Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets

NFC Division Winners: Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints

NFC Wild Playing cards: Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears

AFC Convention Winners: Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (vs. Baltimore)

NFC Convention Winners: Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Dallas)

Tremendous Bowl Champions: Kansas Metropolis Chiefs

NFL MVP: Jalen Hurts

Offensive Rookie of the Yr: Zay Flowers

Defensive Rookie of the Yr: Deonte Banks

Offensive Participant of the Yr: Tyreek Hill

Defensive Participant of the Yr: Nick Bosa

Deciding on my picks for this season’s playoff groups shouldn’t have felt this simple. Positive there have been another groups to contemplate just like the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins, however these 14 groups are essentially the most proficient all-around on each side of the ball. Consistent with the 1992 and 1993 Tremendous Bowls that includes the Buffalo Payments and Dallas Cowboys, I’ve the Chiefs and Eagles coming collectively for a rematch in Nevada. And just like the ‘93 Cowboys, the Chiefs will earn their second straight title. With Lamar Jackson anticipated to earn his pay below a brand new Monken offense, Zay Flowers has the potential to face out because the clear go-to man (even over Mark Andrews), incomes Baltimore its first OROY award.

 

Give us your predictions for the 2023 NFL season beneath!