American Football 2023 NFC Overview –
View the 2022 Conference Standings here
After a season removed from the AFC, taking over again as Super Bowl Champions, the NFC is back and ready to regain the crown for the 2023-2024 season. The NFC won the title in both 2020 and 2021 with Tampa Bay and Los Angeles. Before that was Philadelphia in 2017 and Seattle in 2013.
The Philadelphia Eagles are once again favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, but San Francisco, Dallas, and others are looking to make their move.
2023 NFC Overview – Odds to win
The latest odds to win the NFC looked like this:
- Philadelphia Eagles +250
- San Francisco 49ers +400
- Dallas Cowboys +600
- Detroit Lions +1100
- New Orleans Saints +1200
Let’s take a look at each of the 16 teams in the NFC:
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys let long-time running back Ezekiel Elliott head out. Now, it’s Tony Pollard’s show in the backfield. Dak Prescott remains the key to the Cowboys’ season. If he can keep the ball in his teammates’ hands and not opponents, they will be in for a nice 2023 season. Brandin Cooks (4) is an excellent addition to the club and a target for Dak to throw to. Stephon Gilmore (4) also was added to the Cowboys roster to help defend the pass.
New York Giants
Daniel Jones is back under center for the Giants. The biggest news was signing Saquan Barkley to a deal which means he will be the starting running back in New York. The Giants need Barkley and will be in contention for the postseason. Parris Campbell (2), Jamison Crowder (2), and Darren Waller (5) were nice additions to the passing game. Waller, when healthy, can be an absolute stud and someone Daniel Jones will need to get familiar with early and often.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts was extended, and that’s the big news for the Eagles. Nick Siranni and his Eagles are going to be chomping at the bit for the 2023 season. After looking like the best team in the National Football League all season, the Eagles fell short in the Super Bowl. That will not sit well in Philadelphia. The Eagles let Miles Sanders go and brought in Rashaad Penny (3) and DeAndre Swift (4) to help with the running back situation.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders are kind of the forgotten team in the NFC East. This team will still be able to compete as they have a good running back core, and their defense has improved. The Commanders made a few additions, notably bringing in Jacoby Brissett (3), who has lived as a serviceable quarterback, and also cornerback Cameron Dantzler (3). The Commanders will be a pesky team to face for 17 weeks this season.
Chicago Bears
Expectations are sky-high for the Chicago Bears in 2023. Many are voting for Justin Fields as the MVP for the 2023 season. But this team won just three games a season ago. Sure, they made some additions, but they still have some work to do. The Bears made some nice additions in the offense, with D’onta Foreman (4) joining the running back core, DJ Moore (5) automatically slotting in as the top receiver, and Robert Tonyan (3) as a big body to go along with Cole Kmet at the tight end spot.
Detroit Lions
The Lions are looking to take over as the new team to beat in the NFC North. With the Packers opening up the spot, the Lions feel they are next. Despite that, Minnesota was the runaway winner of the division. The Lions brought in David Montgomery (4) to help fill the void of losing both Jamaal Williams and DeAndre Swift. How good will the Lions’ defense be is the million-dollar question?
Green Bay Packers
Out is Aaron Rodgers, and now the team is Jordan Love’s. Love is pretty inexperienced, and the jury is still out on him. Things could get interesting in Green Bay for 2023. The Packers brought in safety Tarvarius Moore (3) to try to help defend, but the offense is the side of the ball most are concerned with. Green Bay is an excellent wait-and-see team for the season.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings sent Dalvin Cook on his way and will turn to Alexander Mattison to effectively run the football for them. Many forget that Minnesota was head and shoulders the best team in the division a season ago. Adam Thielen is also gone, but bringing in rookie Jordan Addison should be a good addition. Minnesota also brought in expert edge help Marcus Davenport (4) for the season.
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are going young with Desmond Ridder at quarterback and Bijan Robinson to take over the running back role eventually. But, a good signing that could steady the ship if Ridder falters was Taylor Heinicke (4). Heineicke has shown he can keep games under control, and that’s a key in the NFC South. The Falcons are one of four teams in the division with hopes of winning it, with no real indication as to who will win it.
Carolina Panthers
Some can argue that no one did more in the off-season than the Carolina Panthers. First, the Panthers hired head coach Frank Reich. We have seen Reich as a head coach in the league before, and his style fits this team. They added running back Miles Sanders (4) to the mix, along with weapons Adam Thielen (5) and DJ Chark (4), really giving rookie quarterback Bryce Young some comfort as the season gets underway. This should be a fun team to watch in 2023.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints have brought in their new quarterback. Done with his time in Las Vegas, Derek Carr (3) is the new man under center. Carr has done some good things in his career but has the tendency to get careless at times. The Saints will look to temper that in 2023. New Orleans also brought in Jamaal Williams (4) which should be a great signing, especially with the loss of Alvin Kamara for the first few games.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
No more Tom Brady under center in Tampa Bay. It will look different, especially when they see Baker Mayfield (2) added as their new quarterback. Outside of Tampa, there are very low expectations for this team, and many feel Mayfield cannot run this offense. Keep in mind he still has Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Also added to the mix to help make up for the loss of Leonard Fournette is Chase Edmonds (4).
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona is projected to be the worst team in the National Football League—best of luck to the new head coach Jonathan Gannon. The Cardinals have no idea when to expect quarterback Kyle Murray back under center. Arizona did add running back help, as they brought over Corey Clement (3).
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams still have Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp. Outside of that, head coach Sean McVay has some magic to work to get the Rams back to their Super Bowl days. Los Angeles brought in Royce Freeman (2) to help with carries in the backfield after the loss of Sony Michel to retirement.
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco is the team to beat in the division and one of the teams to beat in all of the NFC. The 49ers did not need to do much to their team, but keeping the offensive line strong was a priority. The addition of OT Matt Pryor (3) is a good move for a team as talented as San Francisco already is.
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle is turning back to Geno Smith at quarterback after he played every snap for them a season ago. He has DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett to throw to. Seattle also drafted Jaxon Smith-Njigba, out of Ohio State, who could be a great third receiver. The Seahawks added some help on the defensive line as they signed Mario Edwards Jr (3) to a deal. Pete Carroll knows they have their work cut out to keep pace with San Francisco, but a wildcard spot is within their grasp.
There is a look at the NFC for the 2023 National Football League season. We are really excited for the start of the football season, and expect to see some great games. It would be fun to see the NFC bunch up and make a run at the AFC and take back over the Super Bowl in February of 2024. Best of luck and enjoy!
