The 2023 NFL playoffs are about to begin, and we will soon find out which team has what it takes to be crowned the next Super Bowl champion. We are guaranteed a new champion since the reigning Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams are not even competing in this year's playoffs. This year's playoffs include 3 teams who have won a Super Bowl in the last 5 years, another 2 teams who have made the Super Bowl but lost in that same time span, and many teams looking to end a Super Bowl appearance drought. Before the playoffs officially start, here are some predictions of how this year's playoffs will turn out.
No Upsets in the First Round
As unlikely as this seems to be, and as much as I want to see my Cowboys get past the Buccaneers, this year feels like all of the top seeds are poised to make it out of the Wild Card round. The Bengals, Bills, and 49ers are heavy favorites to move on to the Divisional Round. This just leaves the Jaguars, Buccaneers, and Vikings as the last remaining top seeds.
The Jaguars have ended the season winning 7 of their last 9 games including 5 in a row to finish the season. In that 5-game span the Jaguars have averaged 29.2 pts/game while allowing just 15.6 pts/game, and their defense has held teams to just 22 points over their last 3 games. The Jags got hot at the right time, and with a loud home crowd who haven't seen their team play a home playoff game since 2017, it is hard to imagine the Chargers coming in and taking the win from them.
The Buccaneers are a different story. They have not looked like the powerhouse we've come to expect form Tom Brady led teams. However, they are playing a Cowboys team that looked dead in the water in their final game against the Commanders and who are dealing with a lot of injuries in their secondary. Dallas' defensive front also isn't putting as much pressure or getting to the quarterback as easily as they were for most of the season. This paired with Dak's 15 interceptions, tied for most in the NFL despite missing 5 games this season, could be what elevates the Buccaneers to a victory. Dallas is still a very talented team and could very well take this game and advance to the Divisional round, but you almost never want to bet against Tom Brady in January, especially at home.
Lastly, the Vikings beating the Giants. The Vikings are one of, if not the, weakest 13-win teams in NFL history. They enter the playoffs with a negative point differential, and many don't see this team making a deep playoff run. However, the Giants also enter the playoffs with a negative point differential and, like the Vikings, have relied on winning the close games to get them into the playoffs. The Vikings do have more key playmakers on their roster than the Giants do, and this, paired with playing at home, could be what propels the Vikings to a close win over the Giants.
Bengals Take the AFC Again
The Bengals losing La'el Collins for the playoffs is a big hit to their offensive line which has been looking much better since the beginning of the season. Yet, the Bengals are still the 3rd seed in the AFC despite starting the season 0-2 and look poised to make another deep playoff run. The Bills will likely get out of the Wild Card round and be the Bengals first big test. This game could go either way as both teams ended the season strong with the Bills ending on a 7 game win streak and the Bengals ending on an 8 game win streak. I am giving the Bengals the edge here since they beat 3 playoff teams and 2 border line playoff teams in their win streak, compared to the Bills who only beat 1 playoff team and 1 border line playoff team in their win streak.
This leads to the Chiefs, who are heavy favorites to reach the AFC Championship game once again since the Bengals and Bills are on the opposite side of the bracket from them. Joe Burrow is the first quarterback to beat Patrick Mahomes 3 times in a row, and while that might be setting them up to finally get knocked off by the Chiefs, I think Burrow does it one more time. The Bengals have all the confidence going up against the Chiefs and just beat them at Arrowhead in the AFC Championship game last year. Mahomes and the Chiefs will be looking to finally get over the hump that is the Bengals, but they may have to wait until next season if they don't come playing their best football.
The 49ers Run Through the NFC
The 49ers feel like the favorites to win the NFC for the 2nd time in 4 years unless Jalen Hurts is completely healthy for the playoffs. With Hurts still hurting, no pun intended, no team looks as complete as the 49ers. They have the best defense with a strong offense that will rely heavily on rookie quarterback Brock Purdy. As long as Purdy does not crack under the pressure of playoff football there may not be any team in the NFC that can contend with them. Even if Hurts is playing like he's healthy again, the 49ers could still give the Eagles a run for their money. This section may be short, but it is hard to imagine anyone defeating the 49ers if Purdy is playing like he has been toward the end of the season.
Your New Champion is....
With all that said, the Super Bowl LVII champion is....the Bengals. The Bengals were just in the Super Bowl last year and blew a late lead to lose the game, and they've only gotten better. Entering this playoff run I expect the Bengals to play with a chip on their shoulder being so close to a championship and letting it slip away. They will have one of the hardest, if not the hardest, paths to the Super Bowl but they will rise above it and prevail. The 49ers lost in Super Bowl LIV after blowing a double-digit lead, however, Brock Purdy was not playing in that game and neither was Christian McCaffrey. Thus, while both players will be playing hard, they may not be playing with that same chip on their shoulder that the Bengals will be, and that could be the deciding factor of the game. The Bengals have some new faces too, but their key players were on the team last year and remember that feeling of being so close and yet so far. Plus, Joe Burrow does not enjoy losing, so don't expect a bad game out of him. This game will be close and tons of fun, but the Bengals will end on top.
The 2023 playoffs is shaping up to be an exciting postseason with lots of drama, heartbreak, and celebration. Regardless of what happens, I am going to sit back and try to enjoy every minute of it.