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2023 NFL Season: Way too early picks for division winners

By Lou Scataglia

NFL head coach; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor celebrates after Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) scored during a 2-point conversion in the third quarter during an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.Baltimore Ravens At Cincinnati Bengals Afc Wild Card Jan 15 201
NFL head coach; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor celebrates after Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) scored during a 2-point conversion in the third quarter during an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.Baltimore Ravens At Cincinnati Bengals Afc Wild Card Jan 15 201 /
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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 08: Jared Goff #16 and Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 of the Detroit Lions react after defeating the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 08: Jared Goff #16 and Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 of the Detroit Lions react after defeating the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 08, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

2023 NFL Season: Early picks for division winners – NFC

NFC North – Detroit Lions

Aaron Rodgers is out of the way and the Detroit Lions should jump on this opportunity in front of them.  I think they improved in the right areas this offseason by addressing their tight end room and an overhauled secondary is going to have an immediate impact.

I don’t buy the Vikings winning literally every single one of their close games again in 2023, and I think both the Packers and Bears aren’t there yet.  This is the Lions’ division to lose.

NFC South – Carolina Panthers

Perhaps my boldest take of the 2023 NFL season; I love the Carolina Panthers.  I think Frank Reich built what could quickly become the best coaching staff in the NFL.  I also think Carolina has very good talent at the most important positions.

I like the Panthers to take advantage of this weaker division and win it with nine or 10 wins.  I think they’re not looking at this year as being a rebuild.  Their offseason moves indicate that they think they can win now, and I think they do that in 2023.

Watch out for the Panthers.  Trust me.

NFC East – Philadelphia Eagles

The NFC East has not had a repeat champion since 1539, but I think the Eagles are going to do just that in 2023.  Even though they lost both of their coordinators from 2022, I liked what they did in the offseason, bringing back their elite defense, adding a ton of talent to it, and really not losing much on offense at all.

Jalen Hurts taking another step in this offense is likely, and I think we see the Birds narrowly beat out the Cowboys in 2023 to earn their second straight NFC East title en route to their defense of the NFC title.

NFC West – San Francisco 49ers

I think we can safely eliminate the Cardinals and Rams from winning the NFC West in the 2023 NFL season.  The only challenge for the 49ers in 2023 should be the Seattle Seahawks, but can Geno Smith recreate his shocking 2022 season?

Will the Seahawks’ defense improve?  I think Seattle has more questions than answers, and I like the 49ers’ situation a bit better.  Brock Purdy returning for week one would be a huge boost to the Niners’ offense.

Their defense is going to pick up right where they left off in 2022 with reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Nick Bosa.  This is the Niners’ division for the foreseeable future.

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