The NFL off-season is a time of considerable change. Rookies joining their newfound teams, free agency making a splash, and trades taking place; there is always a shuffling of power rankings. As the 2023 NFL Draft concludes and the off-season OTA workouts approach, fans eagerly anticipate assessing their beloved team’s roster for the upcoming season. This article will discuss three NFL teams with surprise upside for the 2023 season.
The positive number you see next to each NFL team displays the current odds to make the playoffs.
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A Possible Team to Have a Surprise Playoff Push
New England Patriots
Odds To Make Playoffs +240
Record Prediction: 10-7
The New England Patriots missed the playoffs in 2022 and were essentially written off by many NFL fans coming into the new season. Many have questioned whether Mac Jones, who was highly touted coming out of Alabama, can live up to expectations after a disappointing 2022 season. Jones has the proper personnel around him coming into the 2023 season, which he lacked last year. With a new offensive coordinator in Bill O’Brien and added pass catchers Mike Gesicki and JuJu Smith-Schuster, they have a shot at making the playoffs this season, despite being ranked in the bottom 12-15 NFL teams by most experts. Their biggest hurdle is a demanding schedule, but they are one of three NFL teams that could surprise in 2023.
A Team Likely to Surprise Us in the 2023 NFL Season
The Atlanta Falcons
Odds To Make Playoffs +180
Record Prediction: 10-7
The Falcons are rebuilding a team that could cause fear among their opponents. With one of the youngest locker rooms in the NFL, the Falcons boast an impressive amount of talent within their team. Bijan Robinson, the 21-year-old rookie out of Texas University, recently joined the Falcons and will be a valuable addition to the team’s offense, which already includes other young core talents such as Kyle Pitts (22), Desmond Ridder (23), and Drake London (21).
Additionally, the Falcons are expected to have a top-10 or better offensive line this season, building on their previous top-10 finish. One of the main reasons why the Falcons could be a sleeper team to make the playoffs is due to their second-easiest ranked strength of schedule, which gives them a favorable chance to secure a playoff spot.
My Number One Biggest Surprise for the 2023-24′ NFL Season
Chicago Bears
Odds To Make Playoffs +165
Record Prediction: 11-6
After going 3-14 and finishing the year with a ten-game losing streak, the Chicago Bears will shock some viewers this season. Quarterback Justin Fields proved last year that he is progressing, solidifying himself as one of the premier dual-threat quarterbacks in the league. After receiving a massive haul by trading the first overall pick in this year’s draft to the Carolina Panthers, the Bears are in a much better situation than a year ago.
The Chicago Bears have made notable improvements to their team for the upcoming season, particularly on defense. The team has added essential players to their defense, including linebackers and defensive linemen while strengthening their offensive line. They are addressing last year’s issues head-on, and I expect a completely different season result.
With preseason power rankings floating around, it’s important to note that they are merely predictions based on a team’s prior performance, roster changes, coaching staff, and off-season acquisitions. However, unexpected player developments and injuries can significantly impact a team’s performance. As such, there are always surprises in store for football enthusiasts.